The Waterside Pub Partnership (WPP) is investing £2 million, the largest sum spent on a public house in Scotland, building the country's first sustainable pub.

The Boathouse will further enhance the development of the Auchinstarry Marina on the Forth and Clyde Canal, a popular destination for cyclists, walkers and tourists.

WPP, a joint venture between Scottish & Newcastle Pub Enterprises (S&NPE) and British Waterways, sees a proportion of its profits reinvested into the upkeep of canals and rivers. The Boathouse is the partnership's first new build from a greenfield site and the largest of its venues to achieve the 'Waterside' quality accreditation.

Managed by S&NPE and leased by Malcolm Binnie of Town House Restaurants, the 150 cover, ten-bed Boathouse pub hotel, has been constructed with sustainability in mind. Using a geothermal heating system, the residual heat in the canal is used to generate hot water and heating, whilst a reed bed treats waste naturally.

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All the timber used in the construction has been harvested from a sustainable source and all general building materials were sourced according to the BRE Green Guide to Specification.

Additional eco friendly features include high levels of insulation, water saving sanitary fittings, energy efficient lighting and low energy consumption refrigeration and cellar cooling. The result is an estimated minimum 25% reduction in energy consumption compared to similarly sized pubs.

Other work to enhance the area surrounding the marina and Auchinstarry basin has been progressed by The Waterways Trust Scotland. A sensory garden has been developed by the Trust, along with corporate and community volunteers.

Ken McGown, operations and sales director for S&NPE, said: "The Boathouse is the most exciting pub development in Scotland today. It provides fantastic facilities for the community; is beneficial to the local economy, attracting people to the Auchinstarry marina and creating jobs; and is sympathetic to the environment - both aesthetically and from a sustainability viewpoint."

Steve Dunlop, director Scotland for British Waterways, said: "The partnership is a prime example of successful creative investment in the nation's canal network, providing access to jobs and leisure activities for local communities.

"Regeneration of much of the waterside depends on developing and enhancing tourism opportunities as much as maintaining the existing facilities, and the pub partnership achieves both of these aims."

(GK/JM)