Islay Weblog - News Events Information

Islay Unplugged - Living Off the Grid

ron — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 18:36:05 +0000

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!

This story was published with kind permission of the Ileach local newspaper.

I Love Islay in Any Season

ron — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 09:09:19 +0000

I love Islay in any season, even in winter when waves flail Carraig Fhada lighthouse.

These are the words of author Lennox Morrison who wrote a lovely article in the Independent on Sunday about Islay, a place she visited many times as a child and a place that brought back many fond memories as you can read in her article. The article itself, titled Scottish Isle of simple pleasures is fascinating to read and I can highly recommend it. I picked a few interesting paragraphs to give you an idea:

I didn't grow up here, but in the 20 years since my parents made the place their home, time and again, when visiting, I've found myself transported down the rabbit hole of memory to reconnect with my seven-year-old self. With its white sandy beaches, traffic-free roads (mostly single track) and sea-bathing warmed by the Gulf Stream, this southernmost of the Hebridean isles is the perfect destination for families with young children. But it's also one of the best places on the planet to experience the deep sense of relaxation that comes from conjuring up your childhood self. The spell is cast partly by simple pleasures which cost very little, or nothing at all: catching ribbons of seaweed between your toes as you pad-dle through the shallows, island-spotting from cliffs crowned with wild orchids, buying fish and chips cooked by an island family. But a large portion of the charm comes from spending time in a community of 3,000 or so where people leave their house door open, their car unlocked, cash for the milkman on the doorstep.

Islay is therefore the gentle beginning of beyond; just remote enough for you to have a beach to yourself. (In August, admittedly, things can become more crowded. Last year, I counted eight beachcombers, two dogs and four pony trekkers all on the same bay.) The official tourist board delights encompass eight whisky distilleries in idyllic settings, including Lagavulin and Laphroaig, a celebrated links golf course and some of the finest natural wild brown trout-fishing in Europe. Add to that a world-class example of Celtic carving, the bluestone Kildalton Cross, and the former home, at Finlaggan, of the Lords of the Isles, who once ruled much of western Scotland.

Tag: travel report

And the winner is... Islay High School

ron — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 08:21:43 +0000

For Argyll published the following story on their website re the FilmG Awards in which Islay High School participated. A quote from the first paragraph: "The young film-makers of Islay High School were jubilant last night (5th February) at the FilmG Awards at the Eden Court Theatre in Inverness. They won no fewer than two awards with their entry, An Tur (The Tower): the Best Production in the Young People category; and the Peoples’ Choice award, which is awarded on an online vote." Congratulations to the film makers and below you can see the winning production. Well done!!!

The story: A girl is dreaming in class of a tower and sees her friend walk into it. She wakens with a fright from the teacher and sees him wearing the same cloak as she saw in the dream. She warns her friend not to go to the tower. Her dream becomes reality where she goes on a mission to save her friend. Upon saving her, she remembers that there are three other girls missing....

Tag: award high school filmg

Islay Ferry Crashed into Pier at Kennacraig

ron — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 12:38:50 +0000

The BBC just published the following information on their website re the Ferry crash at Kennacraig. From what you can read there were no injuries but it is likely that disruptions will take place. A quote from BBC:

Fourteen passengers were brought to shore safely after a ferry crashed into a pier on the Kintyre Peninsula. The Caledonia MacBrayne ferry, the MV Isle of Arran, was reversing into the harbour at Kennacraig at about 0930 GMT, after sailing from Islay . The ferry, which was also carrying a few commercial vehicles, hit the pier but no-one was hurt in the incident. A spokesman for the ferry company said early indications were that a mechanical fault was to blame. Engineers are now assessing damage to the pier, which is not thought to be too severe.

The left hand linkspan and passenger walkway are out of action at Kennacraig and the pier is not the only thing damaged. I've heard that the Isle of Arran ferry has a hole in the hull and will be taken out of service, which was planned already from next Tuesday onwards, and as a result of the crash will now be a couple of days earlier. Calmac amended the timetable as follows: Monday 8th and Tuesday 9th February 2010 on the Kennacraig/Islay Service detailed below :- Monday 8th February 04:15hrs from Port Ellen (Operating instead of the 07:00hrs) 07:00hrs from Kennacraig ( As timetabled) 09:45hrs from Port Ellen ( As timetabled) 13:00hrs from Kennacraig ( As timetabled ) 15:30hrs from Port Askaig ( As timetabled ) 17:00hrs from Port Ellen (Withdrawn) 18:00hrs from Kennacraig ( As timetabled ) 20:15hrs from Port Askaig ( Additional ) Tuesday 9th February 07:00hrs from Port Askaig (Withdrawn) 07:00hrs from Kennacraig (As timetabled) 09:45hrs from Port Ellen (As timetabled) 13:00hrs from Kennacraig (As timetabled) 15:30hrs from Port Askaig (As timetabled ). For more information and updates visit the Calmac website

Tag: ferry travel calmac

Overland Route: Via Jura to Islay

ron — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 19:37:53 +0000

I'm taking a certain risk writing this post since it is based on no more than a tweet from the Ileach Newspaper, although I take them very serious of course. The tweet I'm talking about is as follows: "Overland route through Jura, move freight Clydeport/Port Ellen and service cattle sales from Oban. See next issue". That's all. When I read it I had a pretty good picture in my head what this could mean although it is only based on speculation from my part. Let me explain please. A couple of months ago information leaked from the Ferry Review which has planned to publish their future ferry proposals in spring 2010. If you read the report carefully there is one very interesting and relevant paragraph I'd like you to keep in mind:

A shorter route from Jura to the mainland will be specifically considered as the Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Climate Change committed the review to including this at his TICCC appearance on 3rd June 2008

Parts of the report that leaked out contained information that could lead to a proposal in which Islay could be served by ferry from the mainland through Oban. If this is realistic or not is not up to me but where there is smoke there is a fire and Lord George Robertson protested against this very scenario in his letter to First Minister Alex Salmond. So you could say that if someone like George Robertson took the effort and wrote such a letter to the First Minister a one port (Oban) scenario must have been mentioned somewhere. Continue reading....

It also surprises me that this protest is taking place at a point where the Ferry Review hasn't even officially published their "draft strategy and public consultation document", at least not officially. Perhaps drafts are circulating among national and local council members, that I don't know. According to the Scottish Island Federation public consultation will take place in spring 2010. This is the information that is more or less freely available. Now why am I triggered by this tweet. A couple of months ago we had an interesting discussion in the forum about the same issue and in one of the last posts I mentioned the Overland Route, a ferry route to Islay using the Isle of Jura as a sort of stepping stone. This Overland Route has been subject to discussion for many many years and it was for example mentioned in this video from the 1960s and there is a lot of information on the Ileach website about the overland route which was published in 1999 and it even mentions the formation of the Overland Route Company. A quote:

The Overland Route Company has been formed from the original Overland Route Project. This project proposed an alternative transport route in and out of Islay and Jura without using the large purpose built vessels used by Caledoanian MacBrayne. Such an alternative would be effected by a short, thirty minute ferry journey from Keills on the mainland to Lagg on Jura's east coast and then by road south to Feolin on the Sound of Islay, making use of the existing Serco Denholm ferry across the Sound to Port Askaig on Islay. This solution would allow a greater frequency of crossings than is currently the case using the existing Caledonian MacBrayne ferry from Kennacraig to Port Ellen or Port Askaig. The contents of these web pages are by way of an explanation of the efficacy of such a proposed route and related developments.

Anyone can understand that the people of Jura aren't waiting for all the tourist cars and lorries from the distilleries driving along their peaceful single track roads disturbing the tranquility of their island. And in the past the Jurachs have been polled several times about such an option and everytime it was a firm NO. Very understandable in my humble opinion. But what if this one sentence of the Ileach would become reality? What if lorries wouldn't use the infrastructure on Jura? The way I understand it is as follows: Islay will be served by a 30min ferry from the mainland through Jura and over the Sound of Islay to Port Askaig, ONLY for cars, campervans, motorbikes and (foot) passengers. This means less time on the ferry, a shorter travel time and it will probably be a cheaper option too. Another advantage will be that this route from the mainland to Jura isn't likely to be disrupted due to bad weather since it is quite sheltered. Cattle transports will take place from a ferry route between Oban and Port Askaig and the majority of the lorries from the whisky distilleries will be shipped from Port Ellen directly to Clydeport. This will bring them in most cases almost to their final destination since most whisky bottling plants are in the Glasgow area.

Like I said above this is pure speculation based on one single tweet but it could well turn out to be the future of the Islay Ferry routes. I wouldn't be surprised if this is the case and I think it is quite a good alternative to the single Oban to Port Askaig route but not as good an alternative to the present situation. But money has to be saved and in this case only Kennacraig will be shut down and not Port Ellen, although Port Ellen wouldn't see passenger ferries anymore if this is the scenario. One thing that bothers me though, if the people on Jura protested in the past why wouldn't they do so now? And if they do can this still be a viable scenario? Or wouldn't they protest and accept that they too will finally get a good and fast connection with the mainland in summer and winter? Read more in the next issue of the Ileach Newspaper

Kilmeny Guest House Ballygrant on Video

ron — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 19:10:57 +0000

We visited Margaret Rozga back in 2007 for the first time and we were pleased to get a warm welcome and a grand tour of Kilmeny House. Kilmeny is situated on a beautiful elevated position near Ballygrant with stunning views over the rural heart of Islay. The interior is very luxurious and the guest house is rewarded with five stars from VisitScotland. Together with her sister Rachel from Glenegedale House she also received a gold star from VisitScotland. There are many ways to describe this beautiful accommodation and the best way perhaps is to watch a video, available from Margaret's website at www.kilmeny.co.uk/video.html and below. Enjoy!

Tag: video accommodation kilmeny

John Francis Campbell Monument Restoration Appeal

ron — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 19:01:37 +0000

The Glasgow Islay Association has launched an appeal for funding for the restoration of the memorial to the folklorist John Francis Campbell, better known as Iain Òg Ìle, at Cnoc na Dàl on the outskirts of Bridgend. The monument was originally provided by the Comunn Ileach which raised £300 for the project by public subscription. In today’s money, we are talking about a sum in the region of £159,000. The association was also responsible for the provision of the monument at Ballygrant commemorating local dominie Hector MacLean who assisted Campbell in his collection of Highland tales. Continue reading......

Iain Òg Ìle was born in 1821 and was a great great great grandson of Daniel Campbell of Shawfield, laird of the island from 1726 and whose family ruled with impunity from Islay House for close on 120 years. His father was declared bankrupt in 1848 forcing John Francis to find his own way in the world. He went on to become a distinguished scientist, intrepid traveller and journeyed extensively throughout the Highlands and Islands scrupulously recording west Highland tales and was singularly responsible for rescuing hundreds of these from obscurity.

Despite early misgivings by the academic world, Campbell’s reputation has grown since his death and the publication of 4 volumes of ‘Popular Tales’, along with ‘More Tales’, republished with additional material in 1940, sparked renewed interest in his work. Campbell spent his final years in the south of France where he died in 1885. He is buried under a replica of the Kildalton Cross in a quiet cemetery in Cannes.

His island monument, in the form of an obelisk, was inaugurated in 1887 and bears inscriptions in both English and Gaelic. More information on the appeal available at www.ileach.co.uk/glasgow-islay/

Tag: monument obelisk bridgend john frances campbell

This story was published with kind permission of the Ileach local newspaper.

Lord George Robertson - No Oban to Islay Ferry

ron — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 19:18:42 +0000

It's nice to write again about the ferries and ports on Islay. A subject that I like very much and it's something that is generating a lot of newsworthy articles and concerns everyone, both the people on Islay and its visitors. It has been silent for a while so let's recapitulate what's been going on with Islay's ferries and ports. In a nutshell: Islay will see a new ferry in 2011 and so far she doesn't fit Kennacraig, Port Askaig and Port Ellen's link span. Port Askaig, which has recently undergone a £13m reconstruction, will need more work on the linkspan which will cost another £0.5m. Kennacraig and Port Ellen need a huge upgrade of around £38m. With that in mind there is a ferry review and information leaked out that there is a possibility that Islay will be served by a Oban to Port Askaig single ferry route and no longer from Kennacraig which means exit Port Ellen AND Kennacraig and £38m are saved. A silly proposal which should be stopped immediately but with the huge financial gaps left by the economic crisis the government will try and save lots of money and closing both Port Ellen and Kennacraig for Calmac ferries and not invest there is an easy win. There is lots of opposition against the single port option and perhaps you'll remember the ferry route poll I ran in December last year amongst the readers of this blog. A huge majority, 106 people, want to travel to Islay from Kennacraig to either Port Askaig and Port Ellen and only a few, 15 people, prefer Oban. Lord George Robertson, former Secretay General of Nato and Ileach, is against the possible changes too and he wrote a letter to First Minister Alex Salmond which was printed in last weeks Ileach: Continue reading.....

Lord George Robertson: Dear Minister, I have just returned for Islay where I was born and have a house. I write to you about disturbing speculation which is circulating about the future of Port Ellen, the island’s principle ferry port and the village where I was born. There are two ferry ports on Islay for good reason. One, Port Askaig, has just been modernised at huge, and over-budget, cost. It is however vulnerable to bad weather, especially at high tide. That is why Port Ellen is not an expensive duplication, but an essential reserve harbouring when Port Askaig is compromised. The ferry business is absolutely pivotal to Port Ellen’s economy and to that of the south eastern part of the island. So, why should I be writing to you?

First, because there is a leak from the ongoing ferry review that consideration is being given to running the Islay service from Oban to Port Askaig - making Oban the port hub for much of the west of Scotland. This idea is fanciful. It is dramatically longer in distance and time than the existing routes and allowing the whole service, including the lucrative whisky traffic, to be dependent on travelling to Oban combined with the longer journey would be outrageous. Would you confirm that any such suggestion has been firmly ruled out?

Second, to move to a one port solution on Islay would be to deal a death blow to Port Ellen and that part of the island. The apprehension that Port Ellen is to be abandoned is fuelled by the fact that extensive work is required at Port Ellen pier and there is no sign that this has been approved, never mind commenced. The cost has not even been published. The existing pier will not be able to accommodate the new Islay ferry being built in Poland at the moment - and the work to allow this has not yet started. Moreover, it has now been admitted that the new ferry will not fit either Port Ellen, Kennacraig or Port Askaig piers. How it can be that a ferry can be specifically ordered for a specific route and yet be designed such that it will not fit the existing link-spans? If you care to visit, or have someone visit, and have a look at the brand new link-span on the brand new Port Askaig pier you can see that there is only about 3 feet of clearance on the existing link-span for the existing smaller ferries. The public are being told that the work required to accommodate the much bigger new ferry will be simple and reasonable in price. Like you, I am not a structural engineer, but even a child conversant with a Lego set can see that the work required will be extensive and expensive.

I repeat, how can any organisation order a new ferry at a cost of £20m and not design it to fit a new, I repeat NEW, link-span at the main ferry port? You have always claimed to be an open and transparent politician, and been regularly critical of those who have withheld public interest information from the public, so will you tell me the following: Will you veto the possibility of going to one Islay ferry port? Will you also see off the ludicrous possibility of serving Islay from Oban? Is it true that the new ferry will not fit the existing piers at Kennacraig, Port Askaig and Port Ellen? Will you ensure that sufficient funds are available to make the up-gradings a reality soon? As I said in my book of photographs which you and Moira praised on our way to New York, Port Ellen has a rich and proud history, producing two Presidents of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, the inventor of the whaleback ship which opened up the trade on the American/Canadian Great Lakes, and General Alexander MacDougall - hero of the American War of Independence and the first Chairman of the Bank of New York. To attack its whole economic base when its port is so necessary would be an unforgivable act of betrayal. I’m sure that you would not want that on your administration’s record. I very much look forward to your reply.

George Roberston,
Bowmore

This story was published with kind permission of the Ileach local newspaper.

Tag: ferry travel calmac transport port ellen port askaig kennacraig cmal

Work in Progress at Ardbeg Distillery

ron — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 19:56:49 +0000

Mark Unsworth, regular reporter for this blog and excellent Islay photographer from Islay Studios, sent me the following text and beautiful images (below) from engineering works at Ardbeg. Looks like Bruichladdich is not the only one to be working on the distillery installation. Pay attention to the beautiful blue sky in the image, Islay had a cracking day!

Mark: Following on from the activity at Bruichladdich, Ardbeg are having some engineering work done. The old tractor shed has been excavated out and re floored with new lighting to be installed. Today saw three bottling vats being installed into the building, through the roof. Part of the roof was removed to facilitate this, then with a heavy lift crane and some precision driving the vats were lowered inside. There was just 50mm available free space either side of the vats to the roof supports, so clearance was rather tight. Fortunately the Islay weather helped with it being a dry and windless day so all three vats were installed in under four hours. Tomorrow (Weds) sees the replacement of the still house condensors followed by a couple of weeks of re joining a lot of pipe work!

Next image....

Return of a Veteran Still at Bruichladdich

ron — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 19:04:40 +0000

The Laddie Blog had some very interesting updates in the last weeks about the pot still that made a trip to the mainland for necessary repairs. Something I wrote about earlier when Mark Unsworth sent some beautiful images about these works. This pot still is a very special one, a veteran still you could call it, and it was a reason for Mark Reynier to send out a press release about this remarkable piece of distilling past and (now) present!

Mark Reynier: Islay's Bruichladdich distillery have re-installed Scotland's oldest pot still. Commissioned in 1880 for the Harvey Brothers' purpose-built Islay distillery it is, according to experts, likely to be the oldest pot still in use in Scotland at 130 years old. The life expectancy of most pot stills is only around forty years. After which, having eroded over the years with constant boiling, the copper becomes too thin and liable to collapse. But this venerable pot still, riveted in the Victorian way, was made with an exceptionally thick copper bottom to endure the intensity of a coal fire underneath it. Continue reading....

The wash still has been renovated and tested by Forsyths of Rothes, one of only two remaining Scottish coppersmiths, and passed with flying colours for continued use. Duncan MacGillivray, manager and chief engineer said: “We are told at 130 years old this is most likely to be the oldest whisky still in the world. They don't make them like this any more - there's plenty of life left in her and we intend to keep her going for a wee while yet.” Bruichladdich's stills, designed most likely by John Harvey, the middle of the three Harvey brothers, are unusually tall and narrow-necked. The Harveys sought a unique shape to obtain a spirit of elegance in contrast to the heavier spirits produced from small, more compact stills on the island at that time.

To superstitious distillers, still-shape is sacrosanct. Any alteration is abhorred, fearing the slightest of changes will impact on the style of the whisky. Often mistaken for miserliness, they would prefer to continue with the still they have rather than buy a new one. This still's unusual longevity owes a good deal to fate. Under usage between 1881 and 1945 owing to struggling finances, two depressions, US prohibition, two world wars and a fire that nearly destroyed the distillery, meant it was already in remarkably good shape by the time it was converted to more forgiving internal steam coils in the fifties.

Tag: bruichladdich still repairs