Cape Farewell Scottish Islands Expedition 2011

A timely reminder of how valuable an outsider’s perspective can be

Community Energy Scotland’s annual conference offered a timely reminder of how valuable an outsider’s perspective can be. It was reported on some research into how different countries are taking forward the development of renewable energy. The study looks at several European countries including Scotland, as well as five states in America. The most striking feature... Read more ›

By Cape Farewell
2 November 2011, 2:35pm
Tags: community, renewables

Invention and Intransigence

Friday visit with Arne Vogler at the University of the Highlands and Islands in Stornaway where he directs the sustainable energy programme. The university is one of 16 colleges and research colleges spread across northern Scotland. His tour with his staff was generous and illuminating where they are researching wave technology, computer mapping of effects... Read more ›

By Cape Farewell
5 August 2011, 3:06pm
Tags: adaptation, climate change, energy, fuel, marine, oil, power stations, renewables, research, resources, science, stornaway, university of the highlands and islands

Kyla Orr on seaweed

Kyla Orr of the the Scottish Association for Marine Science talks about her research into the ecological impacts of using seaweed as a biofuel. Video by Matt Wainwright

By Matt Wainwright
31 July 2011, 10:10am
Tags: environment, renewables, research, science, seaweed

Barra – Memory and Landscape (Back to the Future)

As we sail into Castelbay a familiar environment gradually reveals itself. This is the island of my mother (nee. MacNeil) before she moved to Glasgow in the early 60s. And of my Grandparents and many generations before them, possibly as far back as the 13h Century. This is the island of childhood Summer holidays. I... Read more ›

By Stephen Hurrel
28 July 2011, 1:43pm
Tags: community, history, local knowledge, renewables

Journey’s End

And so back home to Eigg. Behind me, memories galore and plenty to ponder upon. We’d left Tobermory, finally sailing (albeit slowly and into the wind) north-west to the Isle of Rum, the lurch of the boat being more of a challenge to some than others. Rum, its mountains looming large over Loch Scrizort where... Read more ›

By Lucy Conway
25 July 2011, 4:17pm
Tags: environment, journey, local knowledge, renewables

Stiuir

Life’s good on Eigg. The sun’s out. The tea room down by the old slipway is doing a roaring trade. The Shearwater ferry’s over from Arisaig on the mainland, and has delivered musicians Gabe McVarish and Ross Martin to the plaintive strains of shoreside piper Dona. They’re playing tonight with Eigg musician Damien Helliwell in... Read more ›

By Ruth Little
21 July 2011, 12:58pm
Tags: community, history, local knowledge, local produce, renewables, sustainability

Seaweed: A natural resource with potential

At a conference held in Glasgow last week Welsh scientists revealed the use of a kelp species known as Laminaria digitata could provide an important alternative to biofuels grown on land, but the suitability of its chemical composition varies on a seasonal basis. Their study shows harvesting in July when carbohydrate levels in the kelp... Read more ›

By Graeme Robertson
8 July 2011, 4:21pm
Tags: adaptation, biofuel, renewables, resources, seaweed

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