What makes a difference?

Despite a day of squalls and showers, there was a healthy turnout for the open house at Strathaird.

The log boiler

house, focus of the 'opening' , was crammed full of people of all ages. Pupils from Elgol Primary attended and were knowledgeable and interested in matters relating to renewable energy - that is until the home baking appeared - at which point, all attention was diverted. But not before they had heard from "Clean Sleat" - a neighbouring community - about their endeavours to reduce their carbon footprint. It turns out the most effective things they have done have been to insulate homes and switch to wood for fuel.

The recently installed log boiler that serves the two properties owned by the John Muir Trust will help reduce the footprint of the Trust. However insulation still remains the most cost

effective measure.

One property is home to a family and the other is the office base and occasional base for visitors. Both buildings are poured concrete and, despite the thickness of the walls, they leak heat.

As a way of dealing with this leakage, some solid wall insulation has been applied to some walls in the family house. We used a material called 'sempatap'. It is like a thick wallpaper that is put straight onto walls with a glue like substance similar to copydex. This, according to Drew who lives in the house and put it up is, 'a bit of a pig to handle'. Once it hits the wall it sticks so two rather than one pair of hands would definitely help.' But does it make a difference?

George, Drew's 11 year old son who lives in the previously cold extension room, having sempatap has definitely made a difference.

"My room is a lot warmer now and I'm not cold when I get up in the morning anymore.

The log boiler is much better. In the kitchen, the oil boiler used to roar away and make a racquet and now it is very quiet and we are much warmer. I like being in the boiler room. It is nice and warm. I help stack the logs and wheel barrow them and I also help split them."

The objective evidence supports what George says. We took thermal imaging pictures before and after insulation and it was clear that loft insulation was most effective but that there was also a difference with the solid wall insulation. The Purple tells us heat is retained (right picture) - yellow tells us it is leaking heat (left picture). See previous blog.

And the log boiler - does it make a difference? It will certainly reduce the carbon footprint considerably, assuming the trees burnt are replaced. It is an expensive bit of kit but has a long predicted life and could have heated 3 properties. It has an impressive efficiency rate of 92% and only needs loading once a day to heat the properties and probably less in warmer months. ESSENTIAL to its effective functioning is DRY wood as that burns most efficiently.

Alastair Robertson from Highland Eco-Heat who fitted it reckons that it will payback its costs in 5-6 years. This assumes that the cost of oil will keep rising, that the wood is free and that we can access the renewable heat incentive, all of which seem likely. But the capital of £28K plus is quite a serious consideration for anyone. When we set out down this road - it seemed that there would be continued interest free loans for renewables. Then they were withdrawn. Then there was talk of loans that would go with the property rather than the owner so that repayment would be assigned to the value of a property rather than being something for the owner to be left to deal with but all has gone quiet on that front too.

The cost reflects the quality of equipment which we expect to last at least some 20 plus years. It is worth noting that the accreditation scheme for installation doesn't accredit the quality of the equipment as such and it is still in the UK a new area so lots to learn. We have been lucky in finding a reliable local installer on Skye who has researched equipment for us. The Trust is in many ways acting as a guinea pig for this. A bold move. Will it make a difference?

In the long run, this is certainly one way for people to go in rural areas where they have ready access to wood for fuel. More co-operation in how we approach issues like heating homes could also make this manageable as a boiler heating several properties would be cost effective. The idea of 'district heating systems' where one larger piece of kit heats several properties in not new. Much of the continent functions effectively on this basis and we could too - if only we could find a way to co-operate in these matters. Perhaps a time will come when this will be feasible for more places. Meantime, a small difference is being made in this corner of Scotland and aspects of that are replicable. Especially the basic insulation measures.

Heating up

As the cost of oil starts to spiral again and a bitter winter has almost left these shores, it is a good time to review how we heat our properties in preparation for future years.

On Skye, the John Muir Trust has done just that and the two properties at Strathaird are benefiting from a newly installed log boiler.

An open house on Friday 18th March 2-4pm and on Saturday 19th March 10 -12 noon will give both local people and visitors a chance to see what this is like in action and discover some of the benefits of this carbon neutral form of heating.

Angus Robertson of Clean Sleat will share some of their experiences of making changes towards a low carbon community on the Friday and there will be demonstrations from Skye installer Alastair Robertson of Highland Eco Heat of how the boiler works. There will also be information about various aspects of insulation and renewable installations from Community Energy Scotland (who provided a grant through the CARES programme) and from the Energy Savings Trust Scotland. In addition there will be displays of other initiatives from the Highlands and Islands including Assynt Renewables. And essentially, there will be HOME BAKING and teas and coffees.

Hope you can join us there.

Some reflections

It is a funny old thing when it comes time to move on - as I will do today. One is tempted to do some deep and meaningful reflections on the value of ones work.

So here goes: I came to this work just over two years ago with more background in working with communities than on climate change. But it didn't take long to gather in the facts and see that this was a real phenomena with real evidence to substantiate the facts.

I also came neutral on the issue of wind farms - vaguely thinking that if it somehow made things better in the long run, a bit of impairment on the horizon for the greater good was an acceptable sacrifice. Today, the go ahead has been given to Calliachar Wind farm in Highland Perthshire. This will sit alongside Griffin Wind farm providing an industrial landscape where previously there was little.

My views are different now and I harbour thoughts of ill will towards inappropriate development as I imagine it delivering little and damaging much. Small scale turbines appropriately sited for communities are a different matter.......as with other renewables, appropriately sited.

Ill thoughts now harboured - I can move on.

Seriously though, this blog was set up as a way for various communities associated with the John Muir Trust to share their experiences of moving towards a more sustainable futures. It soon became clear that a number of communities - primarily those that own land were moving well in that direction - and aretapping into a range of resources. They provide inspiration to many others and I hope that these pages have helped in sharing information. From production of fuel from recycled oil in North Harris, a low carbon lunch in Galson, community garden at Knoydart, energy audits in Assynt and Eigg's big green challenge I have certainly been inspired.

It has also been great to hear from other communities who have shared what they are about - for instance Sleat - who have worked on carbon foot printing and Glen Lyon who are exploring wood fuel options and have some innovative ideas around drying wood (ring barking) - check out Tom Beel's blog just released on this issue. An informative read.

I have enjoyed - for the most part - reporting on the work I have been undertaking - most recently on Skye. This has been two-fold: Looking at the long-term viability of a wood fuel supply for the Elgol peninsula and helping the Trust to lead by example, showing what is possible to do with an energy inefficient house (on Skye) that leaks heat etc. by insulating it and coverting it from oil to wood for heat. Thanks to support from Andrew Campbell, Head of Land Management( and soon to move on too) and to Helen McDade, Head of Policy this looks likely to proceed.

For me the connection between this work with communities on energy related issues and wild land has been obvious:

Wild land, which is intrinsically linked to the quality of the ecosystems upon which our lives depend, is under threat. The biggest threat is from our energy demands/needs. All the evidence seems to suggest the more we have the more we want. As appliances become more efficient we want more of them and so it spirals on. Like many aspects of modern day life we have lost our connection with where things come from and our connection to consequence is also lost.

Now, it is a flick of the switch - who cares where it comes from...In some communities the connection is stronger and, as has been illustrated through these pages, small scale schemes can provide some answers for smaller rural communities.

The real challenge however is how the majority live more sustainably. Some people just don't want to hear what needs to be done.

Perhaps with a little imagination we can get by without all the things we think we need....

It is difficult to avoid being santimonious at times. On a personal level I vary from feeling smug, suffering the resultant repetitive strain injury as I wander around my house switching off the many appliances left on by my family to dreaming of zooming off around the globe to far flung corners- probably only accessible by plane. A gal has gotta live, and dream.

This will be the last post for some time to this blog - and perhaps for good. The project funding for this work, like many things, has been affected by the recession and this work does not fit into the recent restructure within the John Muir Trust so, it remains for me to thank people for visiting this site and take the chance to reflect a little on the past couple of years.

I hope to do a final couple of blogs to update people what happens there so this is more, in the words of Fagan, a case of cheerio but be back soon....

Meantime if anyone has deep and meaningful comments about what makes for a sustainable community - feel free to comment.

Developing a Trust - Sustainable Futures

What makes some communities stronger and more vibrant than others?

Certainly having ideas and support to see them through to fruition helps, as does being able to learn from others doing similar things.

In this guest blog, Ian Cooke, Director of Development Trust Association Scotland, shares some of the benefits of being part of an organisation supporting communities to do just this.
















Picture of Easdale Community Hall,, developed by the local development trust.

The John Muir Trust blog features a number of organisations such as the Knoydart Foundation and Assynt Foundation who are members of the Development Trust Association Scotland, but what is a development trust and what does DTA Scotland do?

Essentially, development trusts are independent, community led organisations that use a combination of enterprise, creativity and voluntary effort to address local issues and improve the quality of life in their respective communities. The use of enterprise often includes the acquisition and development of physical assets such as buildings, land or woodland - to generate income, house activities and services and provide jobs - and this is the characteristic for which development trusts are perhaps best known.















Picture of Westray Development Trust celebrating the opening of a care centre.

DTA Scotland is the networking and representative organisation for development trusts, with over 145 members located throughout Scotland. About two thirds of our member development trusts operate in rural and island communities, and many have made a significant contribution towards improving the fortunes of their respective communities.

DTA Scotland is an independent, member-led organisation which has three main areas of activity:

Meeting with interested community groups and helping them set up a development trust.

Supporting and strengthening established development trusts, through networking, training, resources, information and arrange of other exciting opportunities.

Providing a national voice for development trusts and communities, and promoting and representing their interests.

“There’s so much to be gained from development trusts coming together, sharing our knowledge and experience, and working together for the benefit of the movement. Individually we can be isolated community organisations; working together we have collective strength and can punch above our weight.”
Henry Mains, Sleat Community Trust

To find out more about development trusts, or what DTA Scotland has to offer, or to subscribe to our free quarterly e-bulletin, visit our website, phone 0131 220 2456, or e-mail info@dtascot.org.uk

What are your experiences of making your community more sustainable? Would establishing a development trust make a difference? Or if you are a development trust - has it made a difference?

Glenlyon Woodfuel Initiative

Some of you will recall Jamie Grant who previously was the John Muir Trust Communications Officer.

Jamie took great interest in what was happening in communities around sustainability. Inspired by meeting and speaking to various people he encouraged action in his own community of Glen Lyon.

As a result, in March this year, Tom Beels was appointed through climate challenge funding to look at future sustainability. Thanks to Tom for information about the project and forthcoming woodfuel event on 17th July.

Glen Lyon, in Highland Perthshire, is a remote community of around 90 residents, strung along 22 miles of single-track road.

We have received Climate Challenge Funding to see whether it is feasible for the community in Glen Lyon to reduce its dependence on oil as a main heating source, by burning some of the low value timber that surrounds them.

The initiative is also aimed at reducing the community’s carbon footprint and encouraging native woodlands in the area.

Glen Lyon has recently been found to have some of the most intact woodland habitats in Scotland. By re-introducing traditional management techniques, such as coppicing, we hope to enhance and complement the wildlife around us. We are also involving local children in tree planting and hope they will see the fruits of their labour.

We are holding a woodfuel event on Saturday July 17th from 12 noon until 5pm at Glenlyon Kirk.

A number of heat surveys have been completed in Glenlyon to look at the potential for a change from oil to wood heating systems with more surveys planned. Initial results suggest the proposed Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) could make the payback time for installing a wood boiler as little as 3 to 4 years.

Steve Luker a consultant to the forestry industry on RHI will be joining us to answer questions and provide information on RHI. A valuable opportunity for you to hear from an expert about a scheme that will pay you for burning wood efficiently.
Heating systems expert Bernd Pinamonti of Thermotec Ecosystems LTD will give advice on the components and costs involved in installing and maintaining modern wood fired systems.

Plans for a woodfuel supply within the glen will be outlined, accompanied by a demonstration of an “Iron Horse” timber extraction machine. Locally made small roundwood craft items such as hurdles, pea sticks and staffs will be on display and available to buy.

And if this were not enough, representatives of The Big Shed and Loch Tay Food Chain will also give talks and answer questions about the exciting projects unfolding “over the hill”.

We hope to have even more attractions nearer the date so if you think you could add to our highly informative afternoon or would like more details, please contact Tom Beels on 01887 866291

Knoydart Hydro Open Day

A quick update from Gwen Barrell at Knoydart about a recent open day as part of the Scottish Renewables Festival.


On Wednesday June 15th Knoydart Renewables Ltd (a wholly owned subsidiary company of Knoydart Foundation) held an open day at its turbine house as part of the Scottish Renewables Festival.

Tommy McManmon, Knoydart Ranger writes, “We had five people and a couple of dogs who really enjoyed the day. Angela Williams, our Development Manager, gave an introductory talk in the village hall, where people had the chance to browse the display boards. We travelled up to the turbine by Landrover. One visitor had worked in construction of hydro schemes in the past, so was happy to look around the turbine shed and tell us what things were! The turbine wasn’t running because it was under maintenance, but this was actually ideal as it meant we could have conversations with each other. People were interested in how many properties were supplied by the system, and how often shut-downs occurred. All were very impressed by a community running such a large electricity scheme.”

The visit coincided with some works on the dam, and in a scheduled shut-down of the turbine which worked out beautifully for the visit. The Turbine House is not open to the public though we have been holding an annual “Tea at the Turbine House” guided walk for the past couple of years in order to educate local people and visitors about the scheme. Since its refurbishment in 2002 the hydro has provided over 4,750,000 kWh of (next to) zero carbon electricity. (We obviously use a bit of oil for lubrication, diesel for the back up generator, and to get to and from the turbine which is situated “up the glen” towards Gleann Meadall.

In addition to the community owned hydro there are two micro hydros in Knoydart for those outwith our system, and interest in developing some more micro systems. A recent study of Airor burn under the auspices of the Powerdown project showed that there is potential there to assist the community at Airor to cut its carbon footprint and use diesel generators substantially less.

More information http://www.knoydart-foundation.com/

Changing Gears

The Parent Council at Elgol Primary School held a jumble sale recently to raise funds for the school. Top this off with teas, coffees and home baking and there is bound to be an audience.

Also present at the jumble sale and looking for an audience were energy and wood fuel related stalls the Parent Council had agreed could be part of the event.

Energy Saving Trust had a model house -showing how to reduce energy bills and an eco-driving simulator showing how to reduce fuel bills. The John Muir Trust had a display showing the heat leaking out of its, as then, uninsulated, property at Strathaird whilst there were displays from Wood Energy Scotland and Alastair Robertson from Highland Eco-Heat a Skye based wood fuel installer.

The biggest hit was the eco-driving simulator which caused much mirth and merriment as various people tried their hand at driving to reduce fuel costs and carbon.

Top tip is all about changing gears.
- Shift into a higher gear as soon as possible - changing up between 2,000 and 2,5000 rpm.

Another tip to lower your fuel bills and carbon footprint: Drive more smoothly - anticipating road conditions and taking your foot off the throttle gradually rather than braking suddenly.

Did you know that if you drive at 50mph rather than 70 mph - this reduces your fuel consumption by 10%?

The school children were largely determined to test the speed limits!More tips are to be found at the Eco Drive website.