ABOUT OFF GRID TRAVEL
Off Grid Travel brings together a group of passionate nature travel experts to offer a new way of experiencing nature. We offer zero carbon holidays set in beautiful and remote places. We design our own accommodation which is usually completely off grid and is imaginatively designed to bring our guests closer to nature.
Our aim was to combine new design technologies with natural settings, always putting conservation and a connection to nature at our core. You should step into our buildings and immediately feel more relaxed – these are “healthy buildings” built from sustainable Scottish timber and insulation from recycled newspapers. Heating is from a wood burning stove and we can function with no mains connections at all – and yet it’s still luxurious with power, heating, lighting, flushing toilet, fridge, shower, etc.
We’re also about unplugging, having fun and reconnecting with the people around you. Encouraging our guests to head off into the wild, or just kick back and relax in the accommodation. Our different accommodation types mean we’re ideal for couples, solo travellers, families or groups.
You don’t need to be a seasoned adventurer to enjoy what we offer – just relax and enjoy nature at a pace which suits you. Enjoy coffee on the deck and toast marshmallows under the stars. Go sightseeing with the kids all day and have sunset drinks on the beach. Explore the coastline from a kayak or join an organised boat trip. Then come home at night to a feast of local produce that’s been freshly prepared and hand-delivered.
MEET OUR TEAM
We are a team of experts with backgrounds in nature and adventure tourism, wildlife conservation, low carbon manufacturing and alternative energy. Each member is passionate about what they do and has brought complementary experience, expertise and energy to developing new ways of exploring nature.
We all work remotely and run the business by video call, phone and computer – no needless journeys or road miles!
NEIL BIRNIE
Neil has twenty years’ experience in the travel industry and advises national parks and landowners around the world on nature tourism and sustainable business. Before founding Off Grid Travel, he co-founded a company twice recognised as the World’s Best Green Tour Operator and the No 1 for Adventure Travel in Europe.
Before working in nature travel, Neil trained as an environmental lawyer and worked in European Union environmental policy before an opportunity arose to work in wildlife conservation in East Africa. This experience inspired a deep passion for how travel can contribute to nature conservation. Neil has organised countless unusual trips to all corners of the world and together with his wife and young son, loves to travel as a family to find new experiences.
Fiona van Aswegen
Fiona is a seasoned entrepreneur with start-up experience in several different industries spread between South Africa and Scotland. One of these was founding a highly successful and award-winning self-catering business in Cape Town and this passion for luxury tourism and the guest experience has never left her.
On returning to Scotland Fiona began researching bringing a new type of self-catering accommodation to market – one which would harness sustainability, circular economy principles and bring together technologies in new and innovative ways to reduce “on grid” connections.
Matt Stevenson
Ten years ago, Matt entered the sustainable building design and manufacturing sector with a passion for innovation and the mission of delivering social, environmental and industry impact. He and his team have built an international reputation for servicing clients with technically challenging and innovative design projects.
Matt oversees the design process for all Off Grid Travel accommodations, including pioneering work with our landowner partners using Virtual Reality and digital manufacturing techniques. This ensures our accommodations are sensitively sited in nature and maximise all available light and space in the chosen location.
Simon Collier
Simon is a highly experienced ecotourism professional, with over twenty years of experience in the design, management and operations of leading ecotourism facilities across three continents including senior roles in Africa’s leading safari lodge and camp operators
The majority of his work has been in protected areas, linking nature based tourism and communities. Simon is now based in the Netherlands and spent the last five years designing and overseeing new tourism concepts in natural areas across Europe.
Our Building Design
Our buildings are super-efficient, low energy, low impact and are rated ‘Carbon Zero’. Wherever it is suitable to do so, we use 100% renewable energy solutions, meaning our units are autonomous and have minimal impact.
FIND OUT MORESustainability & Conservation
From the way we build, to how we bring our buildings to site, to the technologies we use, to every single detail you find on the inside. Our holidays are different. In a time of increasing consciousness about the role of the travel industry in accelerating climate change, we believe that a holiday with us is one of the most sustainable and climate-friendly forms of travel available.
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