Our Commitment to Sustainability at Balmillig B&B

We’ve spent many years working to minimise our environmental impact—without compromising the comfort of your stay. At Balmillig, we believe that sustainable travel can be both thoughtful and enjoyable.

Our home has an Energy Performance Certificate rating of C, and we’re now close to a B thanks to recent improvements. Here’s how we reduce our footprint and how you can help during your visit.

Getting Here and Exploring Sustainably

  • We encourage guests to travel by public transport where possible.

  • Balmillig is just a 10-minute walk from Helensburgh’s Central and Upper Stations.

  • We provide maps, guides and tips for exploring on foot, by bike or by bus/train.

  • Secure cycle storage is available in our garage.

In and Around the House

  • Turn off lights and reduce heating when not in use.

  • Shorter showers help reduce water and energy use.

  • Please re-use towels where possible.

  • Help us recycle by using the separate bins provided (glass, metal, plastic, paper, batteries).

  • Follow the Scottish Outdoor Access Code when out and about.

  • Only flush human waste and toilet paper—please “bag and bin” everything else.

Supporting Local and Reducing Waste

  • We source local and Scottish produce whenever possible.

  • Our breakfast features homemade marmalade and bramble jelly made each autumn.

  • We grow our own tomatoes and bee-friendly garden plants.

  • All jam jars are reused to minimise glass waste.

  • Receipts and guest information are sent digitally to reduce paper use.

  • Any paper we do use is recycled or from sustainably managed forests.

Renewable Energy and Eco Products

  • Photovoltaic tiles and solar panels supply power and heat water.

  • LED and low-energy lighting is fitted throughout.

  • All windows and doors are double glazed, and our walls are heavily insulated.

  • We provide small kettles in guest rooms to minimise energy use.

  • We use eco-friendly cleaning and laundry products wherever possible.

  • We’re working to reduce use of palm oil-based products.

Wildlife and Garden Habitat

  • Our garden features bird boxes, bat boxes, swift boxes, and a wildlife pond.

  • A wild area provides cover for small mammals, frogs, insects, and birds.

  • We leave hedge clippings and grass cuttings to compost naturally.

  • Guests are welcome to borrow our bird identification books during their stay.

  • We also compost food and garden waste and send food scraps to the local council’s biodigester.

Supporting Conservation and Heritage

We’re proud to support and volunteer with local and national conservation and heritage organisations, including:

  • National Trust for Scotland

  • Woodland Trust

  • RSPB

  • Historic Scotland

  • Wildlife & Wetlands Trust

  • Butterfly Conservation

  • RNLI

  • Helensburgh Heritage Trust

  • Friends of Loch Lomond & The Trossachs

  • Helensburgh Tree Conservation Trust

  • Supporters of Paddle Steamer Maid of the Loch

We also support the OUR Park scheme, which funds conservation in the Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park.