We are igloo - a self-catering agency based in Aviemore, situated in the heart of the Cairngorm National Park. Our agency offers a wide variety of self-catering holiday homes to suit your needs, including luxury lodges with hot tubs, family-friendly homes, and dog-friendly properties, all designed to ensure a relaxing Highland holiday experience.
Managed by a team of two, Erin and Nick, who both share a passion for the Highlands and have a combined wealth of experience in the local self-catering market, design, and marketing. Our dedicated team ensures that our properties are in immaculate condition for your arrival, and we pride ourselves on being a dynamic business that embraces the latest technology to offer our guests and owners everything they need.
Guests can book with confidence knowing that we started igloo in 2020 during a time of great change in the industry. From day one, we have embraced flexible bookings, free cancellation, and fair payment terms. Our terms and conditions are designed to be fair and easy to understand, and we understand that plans can change. That's why all bookings are fully flexible and you can move your stay without penalty. Payment information is processed securely using our payment processor Stripe, and your personal data is stored in our system in accordance with GDPR and ICO guidelines.
At Igloo, we are proud to live and work in Aviemore and Inverness, and we regularly support great work that is being done locally. To date, we have sponsored and supported a number of local projects and appeals, including the Aviemore Ice Rink, Aviemore half marathon, Visit Cairngorms Ukraine appeal, and Trees For Life. To learn more about our contributions to the community, check out our Igloo in the Community page.
We are very aware of our responsibilities as a business, an employer, and as members of the local community. We ensure that our directly employed staff are paid well over the Real Living Wage, and we have received accreditation from Living Wage Scotland that shows our commitment to this. The self-catering industry brings a huge amount of jobs and opportunities to our area, and we work with many local companies, suppliers, and trades on a daily basis.
Living and working in such a stunning part of the world, we know we have to do what we can to protect it for future generations. Working with Trees For Life, we plant a tree for every booking made. We also supply sustainable cleaning products from Ecover and Method in many of our properties. For ideas on how to make sustainable choices on your next trip, check out our blog post.
All of our properties are individually owned, and we are very proud to represent and work with a diverse range of owners and look after their stunning properties. We invest significantly in our marketing offering and offer assistance with management and compliance. If you have a property and would like to work with us, we would be delighted to tell you more.
Erin McBean
I have worked in the tourism industry for many years and have a strong passion for sustainable travel, which led me to create igloo with Nick.
Throughout my career, I have worked in various management roles in rentals, sales, and lodge services, giving me a deep understanding of the needs of both owners and guests. My focus is always on customer satisfaction, ensuring that guests have all the information they need before, during, and after their stay. I love it when people call, and I get the chance to get to know them.
As someone who grew up in Aviemore, I have a deep connection to the area and feel a strong sense of responsibility towards it which drives me to offer guests environmentally friendly choices and promote responsible tourism.
My large family has given me a wealth of knowledge on how to cater to the needs of families and groups of various sizes. With my expertise and passion, I am committed to showcasing the beauty of the region and promoting sustainable tourism practices.
Nick Lyon
As a co-founder of igloo, I'm passionate about combining my two loves - travelling and the Scottish Highlands. Having grown up in Inverness, I've always been fascinated by its history, culture, people, and fantastic food and drink - especially our local craft beers! Self catering is a fantastic way to really get a feel for a place and is my go to choice when travelling myself - it is always great to be inspired by other businesses and places.
My career in the public and private sector has provided me with the management, design, and marketing skills that help drive igloo's success. Working with partners we have implemented the latest technology from 3D tours and drone footage to digital guest guides and automation of communications to ensure igloo has become a dynamic forward thinking agency.
Since our launch in 2020, we've grown our portfolio of properties, worked with a diverse range of owners, and navigated changing market landscapes, including new legislation on short term lets and planning controls. With our website now enjoying market-leading traffic, we're proud to be one of the go-to providers of self-catering accommodation in the Highlands. We're excited for what the future brings and hope we can keep enhancing our offerings to deliver unforgettable experiences to our guests.
