CARLOWRIE CASTLE near Edinburgh has become the first castle in the world to be awarded the highly prestigious B Corp Certification.

This comes as the luxury venue celebrates its 10th year in the hospitality business.

The B Corp Certification is awarded to businesses that demonstrate and maintain high standards of socially and environmentally conscious practices.

The castle, which is part of Carlowrie Group and owned by Scottish entrepreneur Andrew Marshall, joins international companies such as Patagonia, TOMS and Aesop.

Carlowrie Castle becomes the first in the world to receive B Corp Certification 

Andrew Marshall says: “In an age where businesses and consumers are seeing the importance of putting social and environmental issues above everything else, becoming B Corp Certified this month after 10 years of trading, is an excellent way to show our customers our lasting commitment to doing good by people and planet.

"When our guests come to Carlowrie Castle, whether that be for a business conference, a wedding, an exclusive-use party, a community event, or a private stay, they know that they are supporting us on our mission for an inclusive, equitable, and regenerative economy."

Chris Turner, executive director of B Lab UK, said: “Welcoming Carlowrie Castle to the B Corp community is hugely exciting.

"Its commitment to doing business differently will be an inspiration to others and will help spread the notion that success in business is as much about people and planet as it is profit.”

Keith Taylor, operations director at Carlowrie Castle said: “Giving back to the environment and our community has long been an important part of what we do at Carlowrie Castle, but achieving this certification has pushed us to do even more.

"It is a deliberately difficult certification to attain which means it is held only by businesses who are truly passionate about environmental and social wellbeing. We’re immensely proud to be joining a group of like-minded businesses who share our commitment.”

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To receive this title, the castle, which has a rating of 4.5/5 on Tripadvisor,  had to undergo a comprehensive and rigorous process to measure its social and environmental performance.

This includes everything from its supply chain and material inputs to its charitable giving and employee benefits.

Carlowrie Castle is said to have a long history of promoting social and environmental well-being.

In the 19th century, the site was home to one of Scotland's leading botanists and explorers Isobel Wylie Hutchison.

She was the first woman to receive the Mungo Park Medal, was a member of the Scottish Geographical Society, and was a published writer in National Geographic.