The island of Eigg in Scotland was purchased by its residents and is an example of sustainable living. Waste is not tolerated there and sustainability is essential.
This island is part of the Inner Hebrides of Scotland, known as the Small Isles. It is 22 kilometers from the mainland and there are ferries several times a week that deliver supplies and transportation depending on the weather. Eigg measures eight by five kilometers.
Although it is the second largest island, it is by far the most populous, with around 110 residents, which has helped create a community that takes collective responsibility for the island’s future.
Nora Barnes, Eigg Ranger at Wildlife Trust Scotland, explains: “Sustainability has always been a part of island life and local farms. You’re a little more conscious of what you’re wearing. You can’t just go to a supermarket and buy something. In the truest sense of the word, we have to transport everything we want and need by boat“.
A unique island
“What makes the island unique is that it is owned by its neighbors,” explains Maggie Fyffe, secretary of the Isle of Eigg and one of those involved in the sale process.
He lived there for 43 years and explains how the change of ownership came about: “The island belonged to a mysterious German artist who was only there four days in two years, so we thought we could improve the place. We applied for funding and a mysterious donor donated one million euros and we were able to raise the amount of 1,750,000“.
They finally bought it in 1997.
Maggie Fyffe explains the initiatives that have been launched on the island such as “that all residents sign an agreement or create a system that combines three energy sources: wind, water and solar“. Each house has 5 kW, the company has 10 kW, the green or red light indicates that there is enough electricity or the battery is being charged, so neighbors should pay attention to consumption. The wonderful thing is that they do.
Juan Carlos stressed the importance of communities being able to generate their own electricity, which he said “a sign of Spain’s impending battle against market liberalization“. A project to extend the electricity network to homes and businesses on the Isle of Eigg is also underway but not yet completed. The energy issue is the key to a sustainable life.
Pioneer in energy and sustainable living
In 2008, Eigg became the world’s first offline community; The energy comes from wind, water and sun. These three systems complement each other so that almost all weather conditions contribute to electricity production.
There are still emergency generators to ensure supplies, but most come from renewable sources.
“The amount of renewable energy we use varies depending on the climate, but we reach 90%“explains Fyffe.
The benefits of new renewable energy systems are many. The island previously used diesel generators, which led to logistical problems, Barnes warned. “We had to transport the diesel, put it in tanks, bring it home and replace the generator. It was a huge task“.
The use of renewable energy has significantly improved the sustainable and daily lives of people and the environment. It is also a step towards self-sufficiency and sustainable living. As the global energy crisis leads to rising prices worldwide, Fyffe explains how this model has helped protect the island from rising living costs.
“(Energy) prices used to be higher here than on the mainland, but now they are probably cheaper.
We review prices from time to time but have not done so in recent years as it has been very difficult for everyone to afford these costs. Eigg continues to work to become more sustainable. We are involved in another feasibility study to find out how we can achieve net zero carbon emissionsFyffe said.
“We want to build a house and renovate an old doctor’s office to rent it out. We will also test air source heat pumps to see how effective they are. Then people can move there“he explained. “For this we need additional supplies, perhaps three large turbines, although we are still in the early stages“.
Tourism as an activity
Tourism has also become an important sector in the region’s development, taking advantage of the spectacular landscapes and making the island an attractive location for cinema, television and advertising. From Harry Potter to James Bond, film lovers look to Scotland as a tourist destination where they can recognize scenes from their favorite films.
The most famous places are the Singing Sands beach in the north of the island, where the movement of quartz sand creates a distinctive sound, and the impressive rocky ridge of An Sgurr, formed about 58 million years ago by a volcanic eruption to the east of the island.
In between lie rugged plains, swamps, dense forests, miles of coastline and white sandy beaches similar to those in the Caribbean, and even a small patch of temperate rainforest. The island remained largely untouched by the industry that transformed the landscape of much of England.
“We don’t have very intensive agriculture here,” Barnes explained. “The landscape is conducive to wildlife. There is no commercial fishing or large-scale agriculture and the beaches and sea have clean, clear water.”
Energy for heating
The majority of the island’s population heats with wood stoves.
Eigg runs a sustainable forest management project to ensure timber supplies by felling trees to provide islanders with firewood and wood for export, while also planting new trees and expanding the forest.
“The nursery was founded to allow trees to grow where old trees had been felledBarnes explains.
Some are used as firewood, others are saved for wildlife. The local trees are now growing.”
Housing demand
Eigg also appears to have avoided the problem of properties sitting empty in the winter as residents move into second homes.
In fact, the biggest challenge appears to be providing permanent housing for residents currently staying in caravans or temporary accommodation and seeking sustainable housing.
“We’re trying to provide housing for the people who already live here. We have a lot of people staying temporarily, so we are trying to increase the number of rental apartmentssaid Fyffe. “A lot of people are waiting for rental offers to appear.”
Improvements in infrastructure, economic growth and demand for housing are a positive sign given the risk of population decline on many islands.
With information from: