Sustainable Tourism
Lunan Bay Farm is deeply committed to delivering low-impact, high-quality agritourism experiences that support Scotland’s Net Zero goals while protecting our coastal environment and rural community. As the UK’s only cashmere goat farm, we recognise our responsibility to champion regenerative agriculture, nature restoration, and low-carbon tourism.
This Climate Action Plan outlines the steps we are taking across our tours, events, and daily operations to reduce emissions, enhance biodiversity, support our local economy, and inspire visitors to make positive climate choices.
1. CARBON REDUCTION & ENERGY EFFICIENCY
✔ Reduce Direct Emissions
All farm tours at Lunan Bay are conducted on foot, no motorised transport during experiences.
We schedule tours in clusters to avoid unnecessary vehicle movements and reduce emissions.
Staff transport is minimised by coordinating working hours and using shared journeys.
✔ Low-Carbon Infrastructure
Construction of new goat-tour shelter uses locally sourced timber, low-impact materials, and minimal foundations.
Our accessible compostable toilet uses no mains water, no chemicals, and is powered by an off-grid Joolca eco-boiler for hot handwashing.
Replacement of traditional building materials with sustainably sourced, long-life timber.
✔ Energy Use
Energy consumption is monitored and reduced through solar powered lights, LED lighting, smart timers, and minimal heating of outbuildings.
Renewable energy provider contracted for all grid electricity.
2. Sustainable Agritourism & Nature Protection
✔ Regenerative Scottish Cashmere Model
Our goat browsing system:
Improves soil health
Reduces invasive weeds
Enhances biodiversity
Reduces need for mechanical mowing and fossil-fuel machinery
This contributes directly to Scotland’s climate resilience goals through carbon sequestration and nature-based solutions.
✔ Habitat & Wildlife Protection
2,000 native species hedgerows planted to support pollinators and birds, and reduce dune erosion
- Planted and maintain kidney vetch to conserve the endangered Small Blue Butterfly, with charity partners, Lunan Bay Communities Partnership (LBCP)
No herbicides or pesticides used in public areas or near visitor routes.
Clear seasonal restrictions to protect wildlife (nesting birds, deer fawns, coastal habitats).
✔ Coastal Conservation
We maintain and protect public access routes via our farm on south side of .
Through LBCP, we lead the All-Abilities Viewing Platform & Boardwalk Project, improving green/blue-space access while promoting low-impact tourism.
3. Low-Carbon Travel & Visitor Behaviour
✔ Encourage Sustainable Transport
Promote train travel via Montrose and Arbroath stations with clear onward taxi/bus guidance.
Add “How to Visit Sustainably” information to booking confirmations and website pages.
Offer aligned tour times with peak train arrivals to reduce waiting and taxi use.
✔ On-Farm Visitor Movement
Tours at Lunan Bay are fully on foot and designed around short walking routes to minimise impact and energy use.
Disabled access continuously improved via accessible paths, ramps, compostable toilet, and upcoming boardwalk enhancements.
4. Responsible Event Management (Goats in Coats)
✔ Zero-Waste Event Commitment
100% use of e-tickets.
Reusable signage and infrastructure; no single-use PVC banners.
Compostable cups and plates for refreshments.
Partnering with local producers for low-mileage food and drink.
✔ Ethical Merchandise
Move toward unbranded or locally sourced merchandise to reduce shipping miles and waste.
Cashmere and yarn products produced in Scotland using regenerative models.
✔ Crowd & Land Management
Timed ticketing prevents congestion, reduces transport emissions, and protects grazing land.
Dedicated and stewarded parking design and management avoids soil compaction and run-off.
5. Local & Circular Economy Supporting the Community
✔ Partnering Local
We prioritise suppliers within Angus, Fife and wider Scotland:
Johnstons of Elgin
Lisa 2 Hats Studio
Balmerino Merino
Burnside Boreray
The Gin Bothy
Local cafés, bakers, cheesemakers and distilleries
✔ Community Wealth Building
We reinvest a portion of event income into the Lunan Bay Communities Partnership for local accessibility and conservation projects.
We employ and train local staff and volunteers.
Farm tours help protect the long-term future of cashmere goat farming in Scotland.
6. Visitor Education & Climate Awareness
✔ “Goat to Garment” Climate Storytelling
Our tours explain:
Regenerative grazing
Low-emission fibre production
Local manufacturing
Reduced textile miles
How cashmere can be produced responsibly in Scotland
✔ Visitor Pledges
We encourage visitors to:
Travel by public transport where possible
Bring reusable bottles/cups
Respect wildlife and stay on marked paths
Support local businesses
Choose natural fibres over synthetics
7. Waste Reduction & Circular Resource Use
✔ On-Farm Waste Practices
Composting of goat bedding and organic waste.
Reuse of feed bags for storage.
Minimal packaging for shop products; gift boxes made from FSC-certified materials.
✔ Recycling & Reuse at Events
Recycling points at all guest touchpoints.
“Take Back” scheme for yarn labels, packaging, and certain boxes.
8. Monitoring, Reporting & Continuous Improvement
✔ Annual Climate Impact Review
Each spring, we will:
Review emissions across tours, events and farm operations.
Update reduction plans.
Share progress publicly with our community and partners.
✔ Staff Training
All guides and seasonal staff receive annual training on:
Sustainable tourism
Biodiversity protection
Visitor communication about climate & regenerative farming
Accessibility awareness
✔ Data Collection
Track visitor transport modes.
Monitor visitor numbers against carrying capacity thresholds.
Record event waste tonnages and recycling rates.
9. Climate Action Targets (2025–2028)
| Target | Deadline | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Reduce on-farm fossil fuel use by 30% | 2026 | In progress |
| Achieve zero single-use plastics at all events | 2025 | On track |
| Plant 1,000m of additional hedgerows | 2027 | Planned |
| 100% sustainable gift shop packaging | 2025 | Achieved |
| Launch annual climate impact report | 2026 | Planned |
| Install full-access coastal boardwalk, with LBCP partners | 2028 | In progress (Phase 2) |
10. Alignment with VisitScotland’s Guidelines
This Climate Action Plan supports:
Scotland’s Climate Action Framework
VisitScotland’s Responsible Tourism Commitment
Scottish Government Net Zero 2045
UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 12, 13, 15)
Scotland’s “Natural Capital” & regenerative farming priorities
