Published 30/05/2023
Located on the banks of Loch Lomond is Ardoch Loch Lomond, an exclusive use event venue with multiple function spaces and 18 bedrooms, nestled in a sprawling 133 acres of countryside.
In 2019, after years as a family-run estate, Ardoch was generously gifted in its entirety to Children's Hospices Across Scotland (CHAS), in the strong belief that the fundamental founding principles of CHAS have great synergy with Ardoch. The charity cares for children across Scotland with life-shortening conditions and ensures that the whole family is supported, no matter how short their time together may be.
Linsey Craig, Assistant General Manager at Ardoch Loch Lomond discusses the venue and its work, including how event planners leverage the venue's relationship with CHAS to deliver programmes that include social sustainability efforts.
Meeting at Ardoch Loch Lomond © Chris Watt
The History of Ardoch Loch Lomond
Ardoch Loch Lomond was originally a privately owned farmhouse dwelling with separate cottages and an animal barn. Peter Armitage, a Yorkshireman and philanthropist, purchased Ardoch estate in 2006 and converted and expanded the original property and surrounding land, with the intention to create an exclusive use event venue with a difference.
Speaking on his initial impression of Ardoch, Peter Armitage said: "When I first visited Ardoch it took my breath away and lifted my spirits. I want as many people as possible to have the same experience, especially those who are at turning points in their lives. Ardoch has a canny way of putting everything in perspective, it generates hope, joy, laughter and friendships."
Over the last 16 years, Ardoch has welcomed numerous charitable organisations and given hundreds of young people the experience of staying at the estate and to learn more about themselves.
The Ardoch Foundation
As the model of working with charities began to prove itself, Peter put the Ardoch estate into a foundation. The Ardoch Foundation was established with the goal to operate the estate as a social enterprise for the benefit of children's charities, specifically to support young people who were struggling in some way in their lives.
Ardoch now operates as a profit with purpose venue, with all profits going directly to the CHAS charity enabling families across Scotland to access crucial services such as palliative care, family respite and support - through CHAS' hospices, homecare and hospital presence.
Social and enviornmental sustainability
At Ardoch, we take both social and environmental sustainability very seriously and already have a number of practices in place to help lessen our impact on the environment.
The venue is heated by a biomass boiler and log burners, which often use wood sustainably harvested from our forests, hot water comes from this boiler and solar panels. In addition to this we have a rainwater harvesting system, which provides running water for our bathrooms and gardening.
We also have a comprehensive recycling policy in place with a focus on reuse, recycle at all times and remove single use plastic items where possible. Our preference is to use local, sustainable, low energy, low air miles and ethical suppliers including our caterers who use local and in season produce where available.
Most recently, we have been working with the Woodland Trust on a project to plant a small woodland area on an unused paddock within the estate. The wood, which we began planting in April 2023, is just under one hectare in size and will be used to increase biodiversity and opportunities for local wildlife, enhance the amount of native tree cover and improve local quality woodland. We are also currently working towards our Green Tourism Award.
Events at Ardoch
Ardoch Loch Lomond is an exclusive-use, flexible venue, suitable for corporate events, incentives, and leisure located just a 30-minute drive from Glasgow International Airport, we have welcomed guests from all over the UK and abroad including visitors from Canada, North and South America, India, Asia and Australia as well as most European countries.
Ardoch can host up to 50 for meetings and private dining and up to 100 for drinks receptions and cocktail parties. It also benefits from on-site accommodation for up to 33 guests across 18 en-suite bedrooms. The venue also has a mixture of formal meeting rooms, cosy networking spaces and outdoor spaces such as its woodland gardens suitable for walking meetings.
All proceeds from events at Ardoch Loch Lomond are donated to CHAS but, in addition organisers and delegates can donate via the CHAS website or take part in CHAS fundraising events or develop a business partnership.
To find out more about Ardoch Loch Lomond visit - www.ardochlochlomond.com
To find out more about CHAS visit - www.chas.org.uk