Islay Unplugged - Living Off the Grid -

The Ileach newspaper of 16 January contained a very interesting article about a family on Islay that lives "off grid" and "off mains water". Now don't think they live in a room lit by candles and lack other facilities, on the contrary, it was an eyeopener for me to read this article and at the same time something we can all learn from.

Carl Reavey: I went to visit a family at Kelsay who live ‘off grid’. This means they have no electrical connection to the mains - at all! They have a wind turbine to generate electricity and store it in large batteries to use when required. They have neither mains water nor bore hole. All their water requirements are met by harvesting rainwater from their roof. Graham and Robyne came here from North East England around twelve years ago. Six years ago they purchased a small stone ruin. Together they worked to rebuild it - during which time Graham Jnr came along. When Graham and Robyne started the renovation, Graham was stripping old plaster from the roof. He heard a strange hissing noise - it sounded like a gas leak! He removed the last piece of plaster, and they found a baby Barn owl on a nest.The mother had been feeding the owl by dropping food in behind the plaster. Not wishing to disturb the owl, but needing to continue building, he built a wooden box for the owl to live in.

The owl grew used to Graham and Robyne. When they wanted to work, Graham would say ‘Right, Barney, into your box’, and the owl would hop along the roof joists into her box. As they progressed with the roof they left a hole near the ridge for the mother to get in, and Barney to fly the nest. Robyne even managed to take a photograph of Barney emerging from the house and taking her first flight. As the owl grew bigger Graham shot starlings round the building to help feed her. This also taught the starlings to stay off the roof that would be used to harvest rainwater. Continue reading....

By working inclusively with their landscape Graham, Robyne and Graham Jnr are living in a way that generates a very small carbon footprint. The building is well insulated with the inside walls being a good 270mm in from the existing stonework. The floor is a concrete slab sitting on 200mm insulation. They cook and heat their home with Stanley wood burning stoves. For his Christmas, Graham Jnr requested a water butt, and now he irrigates his garden pots with a rainwater harvesting system from the shed roof. When we were outside looking around I said to Robyne they reminded me of the old TV programme, ‘The Good Life’. She laughingly told me their friends in Portnahaven call them ‘The Goods’! I think this is a very fitting nickname for a family who live in such harmony with the world around them - And no elecricity bill! The Good Life indeed!

The Rainwater Harvesting system:
‘The Good’s’ house is approximately 10m x 6m with a roof pitch of around 40 degrees. With a heavy rainfall this roof can supply 3,000 ltrs of water in 12 hours. The water comes down the rhone pipes through mesh filters, which need to be changed every 2 months. It goes into thin tanks which sit discreetly against the house walls at the base of the down pipes. Then the two lots of water merge into one pipe which travels through a 5 micron filter to the 6,000 ltrs holding tank. This tank is a very strong, round plastic tank which is buried undergound. From here the water pipe travels to a shed within which are various filters ensuring the water is up to the highest European regulations for drinking water. The pH filter correction unit is filled with limestone chips which take the water pH level to 7.2 or neutral. If the water of a system is too high in iron or manganese an electrical back wash system is required. The rainwater doesn’t require this. The last filter before the water goes into the house is the ultra violet one. It is imperative to marry up the flow of water through the filters with the correctly sized UV filter. Every system must be assessed and constructed according to the specific project. Time taken thinking about the system and the user requirements in the initial stages guarantees a more efficient, economical system. For this reason they don’t have a shower at Kelsay cottage; however they do have a romantic roll top bath!

When the weather has been particularly wet, Graham takes excess water out the holding tank in the system and stores it in large caged containers. Thus increasing the volume of stored water. Any time they have visitors or the weather is particularly dry he can replenish the tank. This system has been in operation for four years and Graham is constantly monitoring and improving things. To have wind turbines, rainwater harvesting systems, reed beds,or any kind of system where we ourselves are responsible for the up keep and maintainance may seem a bit daunting. However, once the initial step is taken, it just becomes a way of life. A way of life that brings us back into harmony with the planet and ultimately ourselves.

The Windturbine system:
Graham, Robyne and Graham Jnr’s windturbine is from Ampair. It is very quiet when running, only 1-3 decibels. It is very important to choose the right turbine for the location. On Islay the life span of turbines is different from other places due to our heavy, gusty wind patterns. Wind ‘type’ is something to be very aware of when selecting a turbine. A heavy duty turbine is to be considered on Islay. Graham and Robyne are careful to take only about 1/3 of the available power out the batteries at a time. They don’t ever deplete the battery store. Working in this regulated fashion can allow the batteries a lifespan of 20-30 years. The financial cost of installing the system detailed here was around £4,000-£5,000.

Graham and Robyne don’t have an electricity bill (which for an average family can be up to £1,000 yearly) and they didn’t pay a large sum to have mains electricity brought to their house. They run lights, TV, fridge/freezer,washing machine and soon they intend to convert the dumpload energy to power a tumble drier. They are also talking about purchasing a laptop to bring the youngest member of their family up to date with his friends. ‘Off grid’ living doesn’t mean lacking the comforts mains electricity users take for granted. ‘Off grid’ living means thinking wisely about ones life and choices - It’s easily seen that the Owl wisdom remains with this family at Kelsay!