Blogs & Ecology

photo: SteveB!

A few weeks ago it was announced that an association of Italian biodiesel producers was investigating the potential of seaweed as a non-food crop feedstock for biofuel.

This boathouse on Loch Tay in central Scotland was created over a specially constructed cave which allows a boat to be driven in and tethered to the ceiling before an electric winch hoists it out of the water into mooring position. The living space above includes a kitchenette, shower room and a fold-away bed.

McKenzie Strickland Associates

Image: MicroPower website

Interactive energy audit websites which allow you to reduce home energy costs (such as the free one offered by the U.S. Department) are now commonplace, but today Friends of the Earth Scotland launched what they call a “unique online service to blow away the myths and uncertainties surrounding generating renewable energy at home” – in other words, microgeneration or micropower.

Hill House, Scotland, Charles Rennie Mackintosh. Can you imagine this in vinyl?

John recently wrote that "Rising fuel costs and environmental concerns have forced councillors to consider lifting a ban on double glazed windows in Edinburgh's most historic buildings. Hundreds of residents in and around the New Town are currently prevented from replacing their draughty old windows, because of fears that double glazing would change the appearance of their properties."

It's bad enough that people are casting a fluorescent pall with their CFLs. Historic building owners in Scotland may soon be able to install double-glazed windows. What is this world coming to, anyway? [joking] Climate change awareness and high energy bills are the logical answers.

Rising fuel costs and environmental concerns have forced councillors to consider lifting a ban on double glazed windows in Edinburgh's most historic buildings.

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Source: TreeHugger

In the run up to London Fashion Week next month we are delighted by the display of talented young British Designers showing sustainable collections. Last week we were introduced to textile print designer Tamasyn Gambell and her gorgeous silk scarves. Today we take a peek at the new collection from Eloise Grey who specialises in using traditional Scottish woollen tweeds.

photo by Jeff Engel

Unless you're in the liquor business you may not have heard of Diageo, but you’re probably familiar with some of their brands: Johnnie Walker, Smirnoff and Tanqueray. Now, outside of happy hour, there’s another reason to pay attention to Diageo: The London-based firm has announced that it will be installing a bioenergy facility at its Cameronbridge distillery in Fife, Scotland. Diageo is claiming that it will be the largest single investment in renewable energy by a non-utility company in the UK.
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rural design contemporary architecture for the scottish countryside. Stunning.

Via Offbeat Homes and e-architect

Photos: Andrew Lee

Fuel Thieves - Reincarnated From 1981 Oil Crisis

bambadam’s photostream

What is a bothy, you ask?

Image courtesy of Mathieu B. via flickr

Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond upped the ante for renewable energy today in a lecture to the National Geographic Society in Washington, D.C. by announcing a $20 million prize for renewable energy that draws from the ocean.

Image from acastellano on flickr

The goal of the prize, obviously, is to position Scotland at the forefront of renewable energy development. The prize has a clause that the winner must demonstrate his or her technology on-site in order to receive to 20 Million.

Mews House, Edinburgh, Scotland. The link for this house was left in the comment section of my post techniques: shou-sugi-ban, or burned wood siding by Peter Guthrie, an architectural illustrator who used to work for the firm that designed and built the house. They used the burned-wood technique as well. Nice, nice, nice house. [Nice work, Peter. Thank you!]

Richard Murphy Architects