Tour Orkney Achieves Bronze Green Tourism Award — On the Journey

At Tour Orkney, we’ve always believed that tourism should give more than it takes. So we have been working hard to work out ways to make a private tour of Orkney not only respect the environments we travel through, but help them. It began with our 'One Tree for Every Tour' initiative and has expanded now with us joining the Green Tourism award. We are delighted to announce that we have achieved the Bronze Green Tourism award.

This recognition celebrates the steps we’ve already taken to make our tours of Orkney low-impact, eco-conscious, and sustainable. But for us, Bronze is just the beginning. We are already working towards the Gold Green Tourism award, setting our sights on the highest benchmark in sustainable travel.

The Green Tourism Award: A Short History

The Green Tourism programme was established in 1997 in Scotland as one of the world’s first sustainable tourism certification schemes. Since then, it has grown to become the largest sustainability certification of its kind globally, with thousands of accredited businesses across accommodation, attractions, and tour operators.

Accreditation is awarded at three levels — Bronze, Silver, and Gold — depending on how businesses perform across categories like energy use, waste reduction, water efficiency, community engagement, biodiversity, and visitor communication.

• Bronze recognises businesses that have made significant first steps in embedding sustainable practice.

• Silver is awarded for stronger, more comprehensive measures.

• Gold is reserved for those who show innovation, leadership, and measurable results in sustainability.

Being awarded Bronze Green Tourism status confirms that Tour Orkney is already making meaningful choices. More importantly, it commits us to constant improvement — every year we will be re-audited, challenged, and supported to do better.

Why Sustainability Matters in Orkney

Orkney has always been a place where nature and human innovation intertwine. For 5,000 years, islanders have harnessed resources carefully — from Stone Age farmers shaping the land around Skara Brae, to Viking seafarers navigating the tides, to wartime fleets sheltered in Scapa Flow.

Today, Orkney is a world leader in renewable energy:

• The islands host pioneering marine energy projects, with wave and tidal turbines tested in the harsh waters of the Pentland Firth.

• Wind power provides a significant portion of local electricity, often producing more than the islands consume.

• Community-owned turbines fund local development, showing how clean energy supports both people and place.

This makes Orkney not only a destination for history lovers, but also a living case study in green innovation. For travellers interested in eco-friendly tourism in Scotland, visiting Orkney is a chance to see sustainable living in action.

At Tour Orkney, we connect this story with our own — showing guests how ancient ingenuity and modern renewables share the same spirit of resilience and creativity.

Our Environmental Commitments in Action

Earning our Bronze award wasn’t about ticking boxes. It was about proving that our values translate into daily practice:

• A Tree for Every TourFor every private tour we run, we plant a tree in Scotland. Over its lifetime, each tree more than balances the emissions of a typical day tour. This keeps us carbon negative, not merely “net zero.”

• Paperless by DesignFrom booking to itineraries, we’re fully digital. No printed vouchers, no paper waste.

• 100% Renewable ElectricityOur office runs entirely on renewable power — every kettle boiled and device charged is powered by wind and tide.

• Lower-Impact VehiclesWe maintain our vehicle for maximum efficiency, use remanufactured parts where safe, and plan routes to cut unnecessary mileage.

• Rewilding in Our BackyardWe don’t just offset emissions, we get involved. We support local rewilding and tree-planting projects, helping restore native habitats.

• Local FirstWe favour local cafés, makers, and suppliers, keeping money in the community and reducing transport miles.

• Wildlife-First GuidingWe stick to paths, respect bird nests and seal haul-outs, and leave places as we found them — or better.

• TransparencyWe track and publish our tree planting and emissions. Guests can ask us for our planting tally at any time.

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Working Towards Gold

To achieve Gold Green Tourism accreditation, we are setting new goals:

• Greener Transport: As technology improves, we plan to transition to hybrid or electric vehicles suitable for island conditions.

• Community Partnerships: Expanding our role in local conservation and rewilding projects.

• Enhanced Waste Reduction: Scaling up refill options and reusables on every tour.

• Annual Reviews: Publishing clear reports on planting, energy use, and efficiency targets.

• Guest Engagement: Including Orkney’s renewable history and present-day innovations in our storytelling, inspiring visitors to connect their travels with global sustainability.
  

What This Means for Visitors

Choosing Tour Orkney means your visit contributes to:

• Carbon-negative travel — every tour plants trees beyond what we emit.

• Rewilding and conservation — supporting real projects in Orkney and Scotland.

• Local resilience — money spent stays in the islands, strengthening community and culture.

• A richer story — from Neolithic stone circles to cutting-edge tidal turbines, you’ll see how Orkney leads in sustainability.

For travellers seeking eco-friendly holidays in Scotland or sustainable tours of Orkney, our Bronze Green Tourism award offers reassurance. And as we move towards Gold, guests will be part of that journey.

Frequently Asked Questions about Green Tourism in Orkney

What is the Green Tourism award?

The Green Tourism programme is an internationally recognised sustainability certification. It assesses tourism businesses on energy, waste, water, biodiversity, and community. Awards are given at Bronze, Silver, and Gold levels.

Why does sustainability matter in Orkney?

Orkney’s fragile landscapes, rare wildlife, and world-class archaeology depend on careful stewardship. The islands also lead in renewable energy innovation, making them a natural home for green tourism.

How is Tour Orkney sustainable?

We plant a tree for every tour, run a paperless office, power our operations with renewables, minimise vehicle impact, and support rewilding projects.

Does Tour Orkney offset carbon emissions?

We go further — we are carbon negative. Our tree planting more than balances emissions, and we top up planting annually to stay ahead.

How does booking with Tour Orkney support the local community?

We work with local cafés, shops, and artisans, ensuring money stays in Orkney. Our tours promote island heritage and respect for the environment.

Can I join a rewilding activity during my trip?

Sometimes, yes. We often share opportunities for tree planting or conservation volunteering if guests are interested.

How is Orkney a leader in renewable energy?

Orkney produces more power than it uses from wind and marine energy. It hosts pioneering projects in wave and tidal power, making it a global hub for clean energy research.

Conclusion: Bronze Today, Gold Tomorrow

Winning the Bronze Green Tourism award is recognition of our efforts so far, but it’s only the start. For us, sustainability isn’t a badge — it’s a responsibility.

Every private tour of Orkney plants a tree, powers local businesses, and supports conservation. Every guest helps keep Orkney’s landscapes, wildlife, and communities thriving.

As we aim for Gold, we invite travellers to join us on that journey — exploring Orkney in a way that honours its past, supports its present, and protects its future.