Category Archives: Economy
Firth of Lorn
I was talking to Carina (my partner) about how the various Firths of Scotland form natural regions, and she suggested an area I hadn’t thought big enough: The Firth of Lorn. Today we were on Gigha and my old friend
Firth of Lorn
I was talking to Carina (my partner) about how the various Firths of Scotland form natural regions, and she suggested an area I hadn’t thought big enough: The Firth of Lorn. Today we were on Gigha and my old friend
Mapping the Clyde bioregion
It’s not possible to encapsulate a bioregion in a single map. In 2015 McCloskey created one for “Cascadia”, the name given to the huge bioregion of a mighty part of the western seaboard of the USA and Canada. However, in
Mapping the Clyde bioregion
It’s not possible to encapsulate a bioregion in a single map. In 2015 McCloskey created one for “Cascadia”, the name given to the huge bioregion of a mighty part of the western seaboard of the USA and Canada. However, in
Scottish bioregions
I have had a go at mapping Scotland’s bioregions. Certain regions have longstanding historical and cultural associations eg. The Lothians, Moray and Fife. Others are archipelagos: the Orkneys, Shetlands and Hebrides. I see these island groupings as a key pattern,
Scottish bioregions
I have had a go at mapping Scotland’s bioregions. Certain regions have longstanding historical and cultural associations eg. The Lothians, Moray and Fife. Others are archipelagos: the Orkneys, Shetlands and Hebrides. I see these island groupings as a key pattern,
“local” social enterprise
Social Enterprises are a great way of helping remote rural communities get stronger and more resilient, stemming the tide of depopulation. Through the UnLtd social entrepreneur scheme I obtained a Do It Award, which is enabling me to set up
“local” social enterprise
Social Enterprises are a great way of helping remote rural communities get stronger and more resilient, stemming the tide of depopulation. Through the UnLtd social entrepreneur scheme I obtained a Do It Award, which is enabling me to set up
Woodland skills: helping rural enterprise
A group of us in Kintyre are in the process of setting up a social enterprise offering skills to create sustainable livelihoods in remote rural settings like the western seaboard of Scotland. Our first training is on the removal of
Woodland skills: helping rural enterprise
A group of us in Kintyre are in the process of setting up a social enterprise offering skills to create sustainable livelihoods in remote rural settings like the western seaboard of Scotland. Our first training is on the removal of
Ardpatrick: snapshot of rural depopulation
Ferry Wood is located on the Ardpatrick Estate, part of Ardpatrick township. In former days it was connected by sea: the name “Ferry Wood” is given to it by dint of it being at one end of a ferry route
Ardpatrick: snapshot of rural depopulation
Ferry Wood is located on the Ardpatrick Estate, part of Ardpatrick township. In former days it was connected by sea: the name “Ferry Wood” is given to it by dint of it being at one end of a ferry route
Rhododendron clearance and biochar production
Carina and I are developing a concept for a social enterprise: combining clearance of Rhododendron ponticum (using the lever and mulch method) with biochar production. To this end we are buying a kin-tiki kiln from a smith in Northumberland. The
Rhododendron clearance and biochar production
Carina and I are developing a concept for a social enterprise: combining clearance of Rhododendron ponticum (using the lever and mulch method) with biochar production. To this end we are buying a kin-tiki kiln from a smith in Northumberland. The
The circular economy
Standing as the Scottish Green Party candidate for a ward in Argyll and Bute, I have heard -and seen – a lot about our litter problem. Especially marine litter washing up constantly on our coast. I think it’s time that
The circular economy
Standing as the Scottish Green Party candidate for a ward in Argyll and Bute, I have heard -and seen – a lot about our litter problem. Especially marine litter washing up constantly on our coast. I think it’s time that
Exploitation: an Elephant in the Room
A lot has been said about the Climate Change being “the elephant in the room.” It’s the topic that lies behind everything spoken, but is invisible; not talked about despite being so important. Well, hopefully the Paris Agreement has changed
Exploitation: an Elephant in the Room
A lot has been said about the Climate Change being “the elephant in the room.” It’s the topic that lies behind everything spoken, but is invisible; not talked about despite being so important. Well, hopefully the Paris Agreement has changed
Joining the solar revolution
Solar photovoltaic (PV) panels are going up on our house in mid-Kintyre. We are right by the coast despite being at a high latitude: this helps our solar gain as coastal areas get more sunshine hours than inland areas. We
Joining the solar revolution
Solar photovoltaic (PV) panels are going up on our house in mid-Kintyre. We are right by the coast despite being at a high latitude: this helps our solar gain as coastal areas get more sunshine hours than inland areas. We
bioregioning 