At Glenapp Castle, sustainability is at the heart of everything we do. Being a historical building certainly brings its many challenges, so sustainability is very much an on-going journey for us, but one we are fully committed to.

Nestled in the heart of the Scottish countryside, we are committed to preserving the natural Ayrshire beauty that surrounds us. From supporting local suppliers and sourcing seasonal produce to reducing our carbon footprint and cutting down on waste, sustainability is mindfully woven into every part of the Castle experience. Our aim is to protect this historic Estate and its environment for future generations, without ever compromising on the Glenapp Castle magic, comfort or hospitality that our guests know and love.

Below, you can read a summary of our key commitments for the year ahead...

Becoming Self-Sufficient 
We have a significant focus on self-sufficiency with fresh water springs as well as our efficient recycling system. In terms of energy, we have a closely monitored usage policy implemented by the housekeeping team to ensure minimum comfortable temperature in the hotel. We have also found that by recently changing our outdated energy systems to more efficient ones, we have seen energy usage in some parts of our business reduce by 20%.

Electric Charging Points
We are delighted to provide 4 individual electric car charging points within the Castle grounds:
● Two Porsche charging points. These are universal chargers so fit all vehicles.
● Two Tesla charging points. These are suitable for Tesla vehicles only.

We are proud that we have reduced our single-use plastic by 50% by moving to more recyclable products. Glenapp Castle recycles paper, cardboard, plastic, batteries, toner cartridges and glass.

All grass cuttings and leaves are collected and used as compost.

We have always refreshed towels at guests’ request.

To reduce single-use packaging and to save energy, we do not have mini fridges or in-room tea and coffee stations. Instead, we take our guests freshly made tea, coffee (at the guests’ request).

All our beautiful toiletries available in the bedrooms are re-fillable to reduce single-use packaging.

Using Local Produce & Maintaining High Standards
Glenapp Castle prides itself on using home made and local produce for its freshness and excellent quality that is available in Ayrshire, which in turn reduces air miles and our carbon footprint.

The chefs select the very best meats and cheeses from the surrounding local farms. All the fish and shellfish that are bought from the quayside at Girvan are line-caught, or hand-dived off Scotland's west coast, and our fisherman supplying crab and lobster is based just five minutes from the Castle in the local village. The game also comes from local estates from across Ayrshire, indeed, the beef and lamb are farmed only 17 miles from the Castle.

At Glenapp Castle, we work with local suppliers who have compatible policies for managing their impact on the environment. We ensure all of their suppliers’ products are to our high standard and ensure food safety, hygiene and animal welfare standards are maintained.

Salt provider - Blackthorn Salt, Ayr 

Free range eggs provider - Corrie Mains Eggs, near Ayr

Milk provider - The Wee Aird Dairy, Stranraer 

Beef & lamb provider - We Hae Meat, Girvan 

Venison provider - South Ayrshire Stalking, Glenapp Estate

Chicken & duck provider - St Bride's Poultry, Strathaven

Ayrshire bacon, black pudding & haggis provider (a guest favourite!) - Ramsays of Carluke, Carluke

Fish & shellfish provider - Local fishermen, Ballantrae & Girvan 

Apple provider - Lochnaw Castle Apple Orchard, Stranraer

Kitchen-Garden Relationship

Our Glenapp Castle Kitchen Team works extremely closely with the Garden Team to create a magical and sustainable menu for their guests.

The Castle’s 110 acres of gardens and woodlands provide the chefs with many of the ingredients used in the kitchens - the distinctive breakfast preserves are prepared at the hotel from fruit grown in our Victorian Glasshouse 'The Azalea, by Glenapp Castle', and all vegetables that are homegrown in the Walled Garden are delivered fresh, straight from the garden to the kitchens for dinner. In fact, we have 40 vegetables, fruit and herbs grown on site, which has more than doubled in the last year. The team is passionate about organic, local produce and sustainability is very much at the heart of their ethos.

The Launch of The Azalea, by Glenapp Castle

Tucked away within the enchanting Walled Gardens, The Azalea, by Glenapp Castle is our second restaurant space and offers a truly unique dining experience where nature and gastronomy come together in perfect harmony, embodying sustainability through its special "seed-to-service" philosophy.

The Azalea’s menus are crafted around the prolific produce of our own kitchen garden, where an abundance of vegetables, fruit, herbs, and spices flourish, ensuring that every dish is infused with the freshest flavours of the season. Of course, this dramatically reduces our food miles, whilst also supporting local farmers, fishermen, and producers.

Local Environment & Wildlife

From an environmental perspective, Glenapp Castle has a policy to restore its landscape through ongoing tree planting and the preservation of unique flora and fauna.

We were even informed that our wild mushrooms are unique to our Estate, and we are working to be registered as a special scientific site to protect them.

Prior to commencing any work on site, a wildlife disturbance assessment shall be completed where there is deemed to be risk of disturbing a protected species.

In particular the team is vigilant as to the presence of European protected species, bats & nesting birds.

Our Buckfast Bees

With the bee population having declined by a huge 75% over the last 30 years, we understand that this is a crucial time to try to make a difference.

Glenapp Castle has three hives of Buckfast bees in the Castle’s grounds. The aim is to help preserve these beloved little critters that play such a vital part in our natural ecosystem. The hotel’s resident beekeeper, John Rennie, looks after the bees, ensuring their health and welfare and managing pests and diseases. This, in turn, aids in the pollination of the castle’s gardens- including the kitchen garden- which provides the hotel with most of its fruit and vegetables. And, of course, another bonus- the bees will make delicious honey each year!

You can read more about the fascinating beekeeping experience on offer to guests here.

Recruitment

Where possible, we recruit locally to support the surrounding community and currently employ 70% local staff. Aside from ensuring we are always paying in the top quartile remuneration against the industry average, Glenapp Castle has invested into our high quality staff accommodation for up to 20 staff. We have created new staff menus and upped staff meals providing meals twice a day now, all of which aims to help with the current cost of living crisis.

The Local Area

We are known throughout the local area as a significant employer, stimulating local supply chains with over 10,000 high spending guests per year, of which 60% are international. We work with local suppliers, contractors, services to keep money and skills in the local area - as an example, our fabulous local activity & experiences providers include Elite Falconry, Kitchen Coos & Ewes and Galloway Astronomy, to name just a few.

Paul Szkiler & Truestone - 'A Call to Business’

Paul Szkiler, owner of Glenapp Castle, has had a long career in social impact investment. One of his main inspirations for building the business of Glenapp Castle in rural South Ayrshire was to bring employment and development to the local area.

Glenapp Castle holding company ‘Truestone’ has a three pillar strategy that includes wealth creation, measured social impact and positive cultural change. Truestone emphasises the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, in particular with its work in Sierra Leone. Truestone’s philosophy ‘connect the world of much to the world of little’ is emphasised in a coffee table book found at Glenapp Castle where guests regularly engage in further conversations on the topic. Truestone also has a junior secondary school and orphanage for 50 disabled children, where our staff are encouraged and keen to volunteer and engage with this work.

£2 from every bill in the dining room is donated to 'A Call to Business' ', which is a UK charity that has been actively engaged in Sierra Leone for the past 13 years.