First Eco-friendly Pub in Scotland

Scotland is expected to come up with its first eco-friendly pub in a fortnight, built with "green" timber, and one that uses water heated by a canal and treats its waste naturally.

The Boathouse, which is to be opened by British Waterways, will be the first in a string of environmentally friendly canal-side pubs across the country.

The pub, at Auchinstarry, near Kilsyth on the Forth and Clyde Canal, is claimed to be Scotland's first sustainable bar.

The Boathouse, which is expected to open in two weeks, has been built using timber from a sustainable source, complete with higher than required levels of insulation. Hot water and heating are provided by a geothermal system, using residual heat from water in the canal, which remains at 8-12C all year round.

The Boathouse has ten bedrooms, water use is minimised, with features such waterless urinals and low-flush loos in the toilets. Energy efficient lighting and refrigeration have also been installed, with sensors automatically switching off lights in unoccupied areas.