Choose eco-friendly accommodation

First and foremost when it comes to holidaying sustainably is to choose accommodation which matches your own ethics and environmental beliefs. At Elderburn Lodges, we take the environment seriously, and have many eco-friendly practices like solar panels and biomass boilers. You can read up on these on our sustainability blog and read our green policy statement. Get in touch today to book your stay with us, safe in the knowledge you will be leaving as small a carbon footprint at your accommodation as possible. 

If you are travelling to us with electric vehicles, you can also take advantage of our EV charging stations. We have two 22kw untethered Type 2 Smart Chargers.

Green travel

St Andrews is a compact town and if possible, try to avoid taking your car into the centre. We encourage people to cycle or walk to really make the most of their visit. Cycling in Fife can give you a new angle to admire this part of Scotland, and there are loads of gorgeous walks in and around the town too. 

St Andrews can get busy, especially in the peak of summer. So why not try visiting off-peak? Every season offers something different here, from wintery walks along sandy beaches to welcoming the first growths of spring. Some say the air feels cleaner at this time of year too – why not come for yourself to judge?

Sustainable eating

As a self-catering lodge, you are in charge of where, when and what you eat. If you are looking to cook up and enjoy the best of Scotland’s larder yourself, then there are so many wonderful shops to try. Of particular note is the South Street Market which sees farmers and independent producers sell their goods. The market has a focus on local sustainability. It’s monthly, but please do check the website in advance of the dates before you travel. 

If you are looking to eat out, the town also has plenty of restaurants that care about local and seasonal produce. The Seafood Ristorante specialises in seasonal seafood. The Niblick restaurant also celebrates local and seasonal ingredients. 

Be an eco-tourist

It’s lovely to explore St Andrews and Fife on your own, but by combining with a bigger group you may be able to reduce your overall carbon footprint. Bus tours can take large groups of people to see our amazing wildlife, reducing the number of cars on the roads. Not only this, you also get to hear from an expert about what you are seeing, and they will know the most likely places to spot wild animals. Try group tours such as from Rabbies. You could even try some boat tours! 

Green footprints

However you enjoy your holiday, we hope you will enjoy it sustainably. By staying at Elderburn Lodges, you will already be well on your way to doing so. If you need any more advice on eco friendly breaks in Scotland, then please do get in touch. Check out our special offers and book your green holiday in Scotland today. 

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Powered by the planet

We use solar PV panels on-site to help with our power. Lodges 1 and 3 have solar panels on their roofs and these are used to power lodges’ appliances. They generate power even on cloudy days, so are working all year round. 

When it comes to insulation, we have that covered too. Each lodge has independent temperature controls using digital thermostats. All doors and windows are double glazed, which keeps them warm in winter and cool in summer. Additionally, using rigid insulation boards behind our plasterboard lining, and adding extra insulation to loft spaces, we have made sure that our lodges are as insulated as possible. 

However one of the main ways we work to be eco-friendly is by how we power our lodges. We have a biomass boiler on site which is fed with wood pellets. From the central tank, hot water is piped through a heat exchange system and ultimately heats everything including the radiators, showers and sinks. It’s an extremely efficient way to heat water, especially on such a large scale.

Water usage

Speaking of water, we’ve also put a lot of thought into how much water is used in our lodges. You might think that we get enough rain in Scotland to not worry about water wastage, but this isn’t the case. We don’t always get rain when we need it, and not always where we need it either. It takes a lot of energy to move water about the country, and a lot to clean waste water too. So by avoiding wastage, we can cut down on unnecessary carbon emissions. 

Our showers are fitted with eco settings which make sure the experience is still luxurious, but not wasteful. Our towels are replaced every three to four days, unless guests request otherwise. This cuts down on the amount of washes we need to further saving energy. 

We also have a soakaway system for our site which reduces flood risk whilst keeping water near to where it falls. This is a large hole filled with rubble and rocks, letting water drain away naturally without overflowing the sewer system. It also created an area great for nature too.

Eco-holidays near St Andrews

These are just the major environmental actions we take here at Elderburn. We also recycle our waste, encourage the use of public transport or bicycles to get around and use local tradespeople whenever possible to ensure out lodges stay in perfect condition. There’s also our EV charging stations for electric vehicles. And that’s not to mention our green spaces which guests are free to enjoy and log any wildlife they see. Read more about our eco credentials on our green policy statement.

So enjoy eco holidays in Scotland with Elderburn Lodges near St Andrews. Take a look at our special offers and book your stay today.

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Are you thinking about taking a trip up to St. Andrews this Winter? If you’re not, you should be. St. Andrews – and Scotland as a whole – is magical during the winter and should be on everybody’s travel bucket list. The scenery, the festivities, the whisky . . . It’s all perfect, and it could not be easier to access! Travelling to Scotland in the winter is so easy that once you realise, you’ll wonder why you’ve never made the trip.

It’s easier than you think

For some, travelling anywhere in the winter can seem like a daunting prospect, but it really needn’t be. You’ll probably find that getting to Scotland in the colder months is actually easier than in the summer, as there will be significantly fewer tourists trying to get to the same place as you! Who knows why, though, as Scotland is the perfect place to spend the winter.

Driving to Scotland

Getting up to St Andrews in winter is pretty simple for those who drive. Simply drive up from the south of Scotland to just outside Edinburgh, then follow the M90, A92 and finally the A915 until you reach your destination! The majority of the roads are major and well used so even in the frostiest of winter mornings, they’ll be easy to follow and drive along, meaning that even the least experienced drivers will be able to find their way up through Scotland.

Flying to Scotland

If you’re not a driver, plenty of other options exist. One that many people don’t consider is that you can fly to Scotland! To get to St Andrews, fly to Edinburgh and find yourself either a rental car or public transport to Fife. You’ll be able to catch a bus and a train to bring you to our lovely Scottish coast.

Fly from Gatwick, Heathrow, Luton and skip the roads. For those craving a scenic Scottish road trip (and we don’t blame you) fly to Manchester or Edinburgh and drive your way up through all of the dramatic winter scenery Scotland has to offer.

Getting the coach or train

It doesn’t stop there, though. For nervous flyers, there are still a couple of ways for you to get up to Scotland to enjoy the most magical Christmas and festive season you will ever encounter. You can travel to Scotland by coach or train, too.

The Caledonian Sleeper train sets off in the evening from London Euston station, getting you into Leuchars (a 15-minute bus journey from St Andrews) at 5.30am the following morning. Or there are all sorts of train links from Glasgow and Edinburgh to St Andrews. And both stations have links from London and other major stations.

Getting around Scotland in the winter

Traveling to Scotland isn’t the end of it, though. Once you’re here, you’re going to want to explore as much of the wintery magic we have to offer. Luckily, great transport links will get you from your golf tournament to your whisky tasting and back in time for a Hot Toddy. Stagecoach and Moffat and Williamson run regular public transport around St Andrews, and there are reliable rail links between Leuchars and Dundee and Edinburgh.

You can also hire a car and take your own trips out into the Scottish scenery, exploring the beautiful cliffs, woodlands, fields, and lochs dotted all over. For more information about hiring a car in St. Andrews when you’re staying with us, look here.

Why travel to Scotland in the winter?

There are many reasons to take a trip to Scotland this winter. Whether you’re interested in seeing all of the wonderful animals and plants that reside here, or you want to see Edinburgh Castle standing atop its hill, or maybe you’re interested in tasting truly authentic whisky – the Scottish winter has something for everyone.

There’s a high chance of snow (and who doesn’t want a white Christmas?), plenty of festivities between Hogamanay and Christmas, and more whisky than you could ever imagine. If that isn’t enough, you can finish a day of sight-seeing, stargazing, and shopping by truly relaxing and switching off in some of our luxury lodges

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The comfort of all our guests here at Elderburn Lodges is paramount. We want to make sure everyone’s stay is perfect, and so when it comes to allergen-free holidays we take this seriously and don’t allow pets into our lodges. 

We do not accept dogs in our lodges with the exception of assistance dogs in Lodge 6. Dog hair can be a terrible irritant to many, and can immediately ruin their holidays. It requires an intense deep clean to ensure all pet hair has been removed from a bed, sofa or other furnishings. By ensuring our lodges are pet-free, everyone can come and share in our beautiful slice of Fife life. 

Dog-free lodges at Elderburn

Our dog-free lodges offer allergen-free holidays to those with a sensitivity to animal hair. You can rest assured (and rest comfortably!) that they have always been pet-free lodges and as a result there won’t be dog hair on the pillows or under the floorboards. 

Elderburn self-catering lodges are cleaned regularly and serviced before new guests arrive, so you can be sure of a tidy and fresh space upon arrival. Fluffy pillows and embracing bed covers also mean a good night’s sleep so you can start the next day fresh. 

Assistance dogs

Assistance dogs are welcome to join their owners in Lodge 6. However, please make us aware of this in advance, as an additional charge will be applied. This is to cover the deep-clean which will be required to ensure the room is suitable for those who suffer with dog allergies. 

Join us for comfortable stays in Fife

Allergies should be the last thing on your mind when you come on holiday. Fortunately, stays at Elderburn Lodge offer you the confidence that your lodge has always been pet-free. So this means you can be sure that you can simply enjoy your break and take in our beautiful surroundings. If you’d like to wake up refreshed, then book a stay with us. 

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Elderburn Lodges strives to provide amazing holidays for each and every guest that visits us. This means making sure that we are as accessible as possible to those with access requirements and providing top-quality support before and during your stay with us. This is why all of our lodges are equipped with standard wheelchair-width door frames, concrete pads to park on outside, and level access on the ground floor. If you need a holiday that is wheelchair accessible, look no further. We know that our lodges will provide you with a comfortable and easy stay, but what about when you want to explore Fife and St. Andrews? To help you with your adventures, we’ve compiled a list of the local firms with wheelchair accessible taxis.

Our list of firms with Wheelchair accessible taxis

Gibbs Taxis

Gibbs Taxis in Fife actually operate the largest fleet of wheelchair accessible vehicles in the East Fife area. They have vehicles with low-angle ramps, tail lifts for larger electric wheelchairs and even vehicles with twin wheelchair access. The team at Gibbs taxis have many years of experience under their belts when it comes to working with wheelchairs and different chair models.

Gibbs Taxis are available to book by phoning them on 01334 303040. The company are also available to hail in taxi ranks, where the prices will be determined by the Fife Council metered fare.

Golf City Taxis

Golf City Taxis have one accessible vehicle on offer for those in and around St Andrews. Their Ford Grand Connect is equipped with the necessary tools to allow wheelchair access. The company run taxis between golf clubs, the airports, and train stations around Scotland, from Dundee to Edinburgh.

If you’re in need of transport from any of the airports or train stations in Scotland to our lodges or vice versa, Golf City will be able to assist you in your journey. Contact them today to book by calling them on 01334 477788 or visit their website.

St Andrews Airport Transfer

For those who need help getting to us from the airport or need to get back again, St Andrews Airport Transfer has a wheelchair-accessible Volkswagen Caddy that will allow you to safely and comfortably journey from our luxury lodges to your terminal, ready for your flight.

To contact St Andrews Airport Transfer and enquire about your airport shuttle journey you can call them at 01334 767676 or text them at 07817461979.

Cowdenbeath Taxi Service

With six wheelchair-accessible vehicles and a collection of very loyal customers, Cowdenbeath Taxi Service will do all that they can to make your journeys around Fife comfortable. Based in West Fife, this taxi service is great for those looking to visit Cowdenbeath Golf Course, Cowdenbeath Racewall, or the Lochgelly Golf Club.

To speak to someone on the Cowdenbeath Taxi team, call them at 01383 513333 or email them at office@cowdenbeathtaxiservice.co.uk.

Prompt Taxis

While Prompt Taxis are based over in Glenrothes, they offer taxi services across a large part of Fife and have multiple vehicles that are not only wheelchair accessible but that fit more than one wheelchair in. This can be incredibly useful for guests, and we understand that such vehicles can be hard to find!

As a result, Prompt Taxis have earned their place on the list. To book call them on 01529 758888 or fill out their contact form on their website.

M&M Taxis

Based in and around Cupar in Fife, M&M Taxis have wheelchair-accessible vehicles available to customers who need them. This is ideal for those visiting Cupar Golf Club, or the Cupar Burgh Chambers. There are also a number of parks in and around Cupar that may be of interest, such as the Duffus Park, and an historical site: the Hill of Tarvit.

To contact M&M taxis, call them on 01334 657555.

There is so much to do in and around St Andrews. Many places are suitable for those with mobility issues. Make sure you take a look at our list of things to do when you visit. And give us a call if you want to discuss any specific details before you book your stay with us.

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Family holidays are wonderful. They’re the stuff that memories are made of. Whether you’re on your first family trip, or you go every year, the time spent together never gets less special. At Elderburn Lodges, we understand that every moment you spend together is precious and that it is up to our gorgeous self-catered lodges to make sure that your family holiday is as special as it can be.

To help us achieve that goal, we’ve enlisted the help of a team of delightful teddy bears. These bears are our gift to you as a family when you stay in one of our luxury lodges for 7 nights or more. We hope the teddy bears help you remember us and how much fun you had on your visit to Fife.

The bear is there to go on all of your family adventures with you, to sit guard over your wee ones when they nap after a long day of hiking, running, exploring, and learning, and for you to take on all of your future adventures. Take a bit of Fife with you wherever you go.

What name will you give him? We would love to hear all about the adventures that you and your teddy get up to when you come and stay with us. And don’t forget to share your photos of your trip to Elderburn Lodges with us on our Facebook and Instagram pages.

What adventures could you take your Elderburn bear on?

If you’re at a loss for things to do when you come to stay with us in Fife, do not fret. There is plenty to do in and around Fife for families. All of these will offer you some brilliant memories, great laughs, and even better photo opportunities for you and your new bear.

The Scottish Deer Centre

What better way to introduce your wee ones to Scotland than to wander around 55 acres of Fife countryside, spotting all the different animals that inhabit it, and playing around in the play areas provided?

The Scottish Deer Centre focuses on conservation, education, and research and is home to over 10 species of deer that used to be native to Scotland. The centre is also home to Raptor World, where you and your kids (and your teddy!) can enjoy the birds of prey collection. They even offer handling experiences! We’re not sure that your teddy bear will be strong enough to hold an owl just yet, though, be warned.

Deep Sea World

If deer aren’t your thing, why not take the family along to Deep Sea World? You and your little ones can watch with awe the wonders of the seven seas. From seals to axolotls, there’s plenty at Deep Sea World to keep everyone occupied, even your teddy!

Snap some pictures of your little ones in front of the shark tank. And then get them to teach Teddy all they’ve learned on the way around. There’ll be plenty for them to talk to him about!

Xtreme Trampoline

Are you and your family less nature-inclined and more thrill inclined? Don’t worry, there’s something for you to do with teddy too! We just hope that you’re all ready to jump for joy! At Xtreme Trampoline, you can spend your day bouncing around and learning new tricks together. Why not finish it off with some ice-cold slushies and tasty treats?

We’re sure that your teddy bear would love a trip somewhere so exciting. In fact, we reckon he just can’t ‘bear’ to wait any longer!

We also have a range of games and activities for you and the little ones in our lodges. So, if there’s a day when you all want to cuddle up with your new friend, there’s plenty to do indoors.

Whatever you do with your teddy bear, we hope you make some truly amazing family memories with us.

Remember to add a note in your booking if you would like a teddy (one per child per 7-night stay).

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