Off grid eco cabin retreats, forest gardens, and creative permaculture homestead on the Black Isle.
Stay in Off-Grid Eco Cabins on Scotland’s Black Isle
Escape to a simpler way of living in Siskin and Coll Cabins—two handcrafted, timber eco cabins nestled in our 2.5-acre permaculture woodland gardenon the tranquil Black Isle in the Scottish Highlands. Rooted in sustainability, creativity, and comfort, these Green Tourism Gold rated cabins offer a unique and relaxing off-grid experience. Whether you’re looking to reconnect with nature, explore the Highlands, or simply rest, the cabins offer a cosy, low-impact base for your stay.
Sustainable, Simple, Comfortable
Both cabins are off-grid—without mains electricity or water—but include thoughtful, eco-friendly amenities to ensure a comfortable stay. You’ll find:
Wood burners with firewood and kindling from our own woodland
Solar-powered lighting and USB charging
Fresh drinking water via foot pump
En suite Compost toilets and bucket showers using repurposed whisky barrels
Outdoor decks overlooking woodland and fields—perfect for spotting Red Kites or enjoying a quiet coffee
After a day exploring the Black Isle or beyond, return to birdsong, forest bathing, and the gentle crackle of your wood stove.
Cabin Facilities (At a Glance)
Each cabin sleeps two in a double bed with organic cotton bedding and towels
Cooking essentials: gas hob (and oven in Coll), basic supply of salt, pepper, oil, pans, utensils, herbs from the garden
Dining area with table and chairs (plus a desk/workspace in Coll)
Low-impact bathroom: compost toilet and bucket shower for a quick ‘navy’ shower
12V lights and USB phone charger
Books, games, a radio, and speaker for your phone
No WiFi, but 4G signal available (network-dependent)
Secure bike storage and free off-road parking
What’s Included
Firewood, kindling, and gas for cooking
Organic cotton bedding, towels, and cosy blankets
Tea, coffee, sugar, salt, oil, and garden herb teas (Note: we don’t provide unlimited tea and coffee due to increasing costs of organic foods)
Electricity from 12V system for lighting and USB charging
Local area info, maps, and support from your hosts
Optional Extras
Garden tours (pay what you feel-suggested £10-15) – 2 hours with optional refreshments
Organic breakfast hamper for two (£22) with homemade sourdough bread, jam, muesli, eggs, milk and butter (or vegan alternative Oat milk, vegan block and baked beans)
Everything about this stay was amazing, beautiful cabin, peaceful surroundings, had everything we needed! We will certainly be back for anther longer stay.
read moreread less
Alexander
4 years on Airbnb
Oct 2025
Die Hütte ist wunderschön und als ein Unikat gebaut, jedes Detail ist supergut durchdacht. Du kannst darin intuitiv vorgehen und findest alles, was du für deinen Aufenthalt benötigst. Es ist gemütlich und bietet überraschend viel Raum. Die Hütte liegt inmitten eines Permakulturgartens, der von Julie und Clive angelegt wurde. Es besteht dort eine spürbare Harmonie mit der Natur. Für uns fühlt es sich wundervoll an dieses Leben in der Hütte, im Garten und inmitten der Natur drumherum. Von dort aus konnten wir durch Clives Empfehlungen herrliche Ausflüge auch zu Fuss und mit dem Bus unternehmen. Wir haben uns entschleunigt und sind glücklich weiter gefahren. Wir wären gerne noch länger geblieben und hoffen, dass wir eines Tages wieder dort sein können - für etwas länger. Es ist ein heilsamer Ort und du kannst viel Inspiration von dort für dich mitnehmen, wie du bewusster leben kannst. Wir sind dankbar für das was Julie und Clive dort teilen.
read moreread less
Linda
14 years on Airbnb
Aug 2025
Wij hebben onwijs genoten van onze tijd in de hut van Clive en Julie. Het verblijf was exact zoals beschreven. Het geeft je echt het gevoel even weg te zijn van de buitenwereld. Het contact met Clive was erg prettig, hij reageerde altijd en snel. Daarnaast had hij goede tips voor de omgeving. Wij zouden dit verblijf zeker aanraden en wij hopen in de toekomst nog eens terug te komen.
read moreread less
Lena
5 years on Airbnb
Aug 2025
Die Hütte ist äußerst liebevoll, durchdacht und praktisch gestaltet. Es hat uns an nichts gefehlt. Clive hat uns sehr herzlich begrüßt, viele tolle Tipps gegeben und war bei Problemen direkt erreichbar. Die Hütte eignet sich für eine entspannte Zeit. Es war ein besonderes Erlebnis, wir kommen gerne wieder!
read moreread less
Nina
4 years on Airbnb
Aug 2025
What an incredible cabin in sublime woodland surroundings I felt I was living with the birds and the flowers - just a part of the forest for a brief couple of days. Thanks for all you’re doing for nature and the planet Clive and Julie! Xx
read moreread less
Karen
9 years on Airbnb
Apr 2026
Notre séjour dans ce cadre bucolique était tout simplement magique. Nous avons adoré l'idée de retourner à la nature tout en profitant d'un confort très agréable. C'était amusant et rafraîchissant de chauffer l'eau pour la douche, et l'absence de Wi-Fi nous a permis de vraiment déconnecter et apprécier notre environnement.Les petits déjeuners étaient délicieux, avec un pain fantastique qui a rendu chaque matin encore plus spécial. L'attention aux détails et la qualité des produits locaux ont vraiment fait la différence.Nous recommandons vivement cet endroit à tous ceux qui cherchent à échapper à l'agitation de la vie quotidienne et à se ressourcer dans un cadre naturel et paisible.
read moreread less
Antoine
11 years on Airbnb
Aug 2025
Merci clive pour votre accueil. Merci pour toute l’attention que vous portez à notre planète et à l’environnement. Ce séjour de deux nuits fut une belle expérience notamment par rapport à l’usage de l’eau qui dans le quotidien est omniprésente et nous y prenons pas assez d’attention. Merci pour vos conseils! Bravo pour ces constructions, vous avez fait un travail formidable, je le conseille à tous les voyageurs
read moreread less
Cédric
4 years on Airbnb
Aug 2025
We had a lovely stay at the cabin! Clive was very friendly and made us feel right at home, giving us lots of ideas on what to do during our stay 🙂 The cabin was so peaceful and beautiful and not too far from local activities! We would recommend anyone to come stay here
read moreread less
Caitlin
7 years on Airbnb
Aug 2025
We had a lovely week in Clive and Julie's beautiful little cabin. It's very peaceful in its woodland setting with a great view over a grazing meadow. The space is small and very comfy with everything we needed. In true Permaculture fashion, everything has been well thought through and carefully designed. Our hosts were super friendly and accomodating and Clive gave us a tour of the land, which reminded me how elegant Permaculture principles are. Black Isle is gorgeous, with beautiful walks, great places to eat, museums, history and culture galore. We fully enjoyed this visit to the future 🙂
read moreread less
Justin
14 years on Airbnb
Jul 2025
we had an amazing time at Siskin Cabin. Despite not having a car, we managed to get around the local area with Clive’s helpful tips and by checking bus times. The breakfast was also really special, especially the homemade jam! The cabin was beautiful, and we loved how rural it was. We really hope to come back again soon!
read moreread less
Lucie
9 years on Airbnb
May 2026
Our stay with Clive and Julie was amazing, they had thought of everything within the cabin that we could need and were on hand to answer any questions. The cabin itself was incredible in a gorgeous setting with lots to do locally. Would definitely recommend!
read moreread less
Lizzy
10 years on Airbnb
Apr 2026
The Siskin cabin was very nice with a lot of detail for the surroundings and the environment. It has inspired us to do even more for the environment.
read moreread less
Cecilia
10 years on Airbnb
Aug 2025
We had an amazing time staying at the tiny house. It‘s very conveniently located for lots of activities in the area. The place has everything you could need in a beautiful setting. We loved how well thought out every aspect of the cabin‘s design was and would definitely stay here again when we visit the Highlands again. Clive and Judie were super helpful and thoughtful. Ps. the jam is highly recommended.
read moreread less
Jan
2 years on Airbnb
Aug 2025
Would recommend this stay to any one. Everything you need from a place and more. Really makes you think about how you consume stuff in a more ‘normal’ living situation. So relaxing and great opportunity to just be, read or look out the window watching the birds. Close to lots of fun things- including great farm shops, local brewery and a short walk from the sea! Clive had great communication with us and gave us a grand tour when we arrived. The permaculture food forest is beautiful to be staying in too.
read moreread less
Lauren
6 years on Airbnb
May 2026
Clive and Julie were incredible hosts! Check in was a lovely experience and it was helpful being shown how to use all of the facilities as we were new to this!The cabin was clean and kitted out with everything we needed, (and the compost toilet was surprisingly easy to manage as well!) Staying in a storm was the snow was falling, Clive and Julie gave up extra blankets and wood due to the snow to keep us warm, which was hugely appreciated!!!! thank you so much for our lovely, peaceful stay!
read moreread less
Lucy
6 months on Airbnb
Apr 2026
A perfect woodland haven!I spent a lovely, long weekend in Siskin eco-cabin with one sunny day where I got out walking and one wet day where I stayed cooried in, enjoying the thoughtful and well-designed space.The hosts, Clive and Julia, were friendly and helpful. They lit the fire for my arrival which gave me a nice warm welcome, and let me pick raspberries from the garden for my breakfast. I enjoyed reading up on the planning and design of the cabins, and the permaculture ethos, which I knew a little about already but was interested to learn more.The cabin was designed with thought and care, with everything I needed for a weekend of peace, quiet and reconnection with nature. I enjoyed the autumn woods, the spectacle of the wild geese, the beauty of the local area (the cabin has maps and recommended walks), and the rain drumming on the roof, the second day when I decided to stay indoors for some mindfulness practise and a much-needed digital detox. Just what I was looking for!
Tucked into the forest garden, Siskin Cabin offers a cosy retreat that’s perfect for a solo guest or couple. Inside, you’ll find everything you need for a peaceful, low-impact stay:
A peaceful deck with views over the woodland and fields
A double bed with organic bedding
A compact kitchen with gas hob, sink, cooler, and essentials
A small dining area
Compost toilet and bucket shower with hot water heated on the hob or wood burner
Small library of fiction, nature and Permaculture books
Interior spaceKitchenBedroomDining areaThe relaxing deckBathroom with bucket showerWhisky Barell shower
Coll Cabin offers a little more space and features:
A spacious deck—great for outdoor meals or forest bathing
A double bed and seating area
A compact kitchen with gas hob, grill, oven, sink, and a 12V fridge/freezer
A dining table and a bench seat that turns into a desk
Compost toilet and bucket shower
Small library of fiction, nature and Permaculture books
Coll cabin woodburner and seatingBedroomKitchenColl Cabin deckWoodburnerBucket showerCompost toiletDining areaDeck
Practical Info
Adults 18+ only – not suitable for children under 12
Although we love animals, we’re unable to host pets due to livestock in the surrounding fields.
No parties or loud noise, to respect the peaceful setting
A Car-Free, Nature-Connected Getaway
The Warren is perfect for guests travelling without a car. We’re 15 minutes by bus from Inverness, followed by a 20-minute walk to the cabins. Our place is close to walking and cycling routes across the Black Isle. We provide:
Cycle maps and local walking info
Secure bike storage
A chance to explore peaceful woods, beaches, lochs, and villages like Cromarty, Rosemarkie, and Avoch
Whether you’re travelling the North Coast 500 or seeking a slow, meaningful break, you’ll find a warm welcome and a gentle rhythm of life here.
A stay at The Warren is ideal for anyone interested in nature, low impact living, permaculture, organic food, or eco-tourism. Our regenerative forest garden is rich with edible plants, trees, and wildlife. Guests are welcome to explore the woodland paths and boardwalk through the bog garden—and you’re welcome to request a relaxed garden tour (suggested donation £10-15).
Permaculture, Art, and Life on the Land
We live and work onsite in the bungalow and gardens nearby. While some spaces around the house are private, you’re welcome to explore the forest garden, pond, and boardwalk area, and ask for a tour if you’re curious. This land has evolved since 2015 into a mosaic of edible forest gardens, wildflower meadows, wildlife habitats, and regenerative systems.
We love sharing ideas about permaculture, organic growing, and low-impact living. Clive is a visual artist, and Julie brings practical and creative skills—from baking to upcycling. If you’d like to know more, just ask.
Our eco cabins are booked through Airbnb, where you can see current availability, pricing, and guest reviews.
If you have any questions about the cabins, the forest garden, or your stay, please email us at hello@blackislepermacultureandarts.co.uk and we’ll be happy to help.