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Environmental Improvement of Loch Ossian Youth Hostel |
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Monday, 22 September 2003 |
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A sympathetic refurbishment of Loch Ossian Youth which included a renovated eco-friendly structure, renewable energy and ecologically sound water and waste disposal systems, which take into account the fragile local environment.
Overview
PROJECT SUMMARY
The sympathetic refurbishment of Loch Ossian Youth Hostel underlines the SYHA's original commitment as a not-for-profit body to provide accommodation in some of Scotland's more remote but most beautiful areas.
A former boathouse on Loch Ossian, the Loch Ossian Youth Hostel building was first leased to the Association in 1931, providing walkers, ramblers and nature-lovers with comfortable but basic accommodation in a highland setting. Unfortunately the years have taken their toll on the building and its fabric was badly in need of more than just routine maintenance to keep it standing.
The result has been a hugely successful environmental project for the SYHA, which has included a renovated eco-friendly structure, renewable energy and ecologically sound water and waste disposal systems, which take into account the fragile local environment.
KEY PARTNERS
Key partners providing advice and support include:
- Moray Council
- Scottish Natural Heritage
- Visit Scotland QA Grading
- Green Tourism Business Scheme
- SEPA
FUNDERS
- NOF - Fresh Futures Fund
- The Cross Trust
- A Private Scottish Trust
OTHER SOURCES OF INCOME
- Donations from over 600 SYHA members
THEMATIC CRITERIA
1) Energy efficiency
2) Energy new technology
3) Natural environment
4) Highlands
Plan
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES
- Contribute to sustainable community development through social, economic and environmental improvements.
- Conserve and reuse buildings through implementation of an eco-friendly infrastructure to provide renewable energy, water and waste management/minimisation at a localised site.
- Provide access to over 3000 visitors to enjoy natural heritage and promote education, lifelong learning and cultural awareness.
- Engage the local community in project development, implementation and provide opportunities for direct and indirect employment.
This project will both protect the local area through economic and social sustainability whilst preserve the natural heritage through reducing pollution (both air and water) and implementing waste recycling and re-use where possible.
OUTPUTS
The project will provide:
- Solar powered pump uplifting water supply from loch and feeding through UV filter.
- New grey water drainage system and purpose built reed bed
- Specifically designed environmentally friendly dry toilet facilities with composter
- Renewable energy sources to the localised hostel area through solar roof panels and improvements to existing wind turbine.
- Exact replacement of existing building envelopes and internal timbers.
Loch Ossian will be utilised to provide low cost accommodation bringing over 3000 visitors to the geographic area to participate in natural heritage, wildlife and cultural appreciation, promoting education and lifelong learning and access to outdoor activities such as walking, fishing, cycling and water pursuits
FUTURE STEPS
SYHA will monitor the usage and effectiveness of environmental improvements at Loch Ossian and where required will continue with any environmental improvements as are necessary to protect both the building and the local flora and fauna.
With the resulting success of the Loch Ossian Youth Hostel project SYHA will continue to environmentally upgrade relevant hostels throughout the network.
Progress
SYHA are a national organisation with 60 hostels providing accommodation throughout each local authority area in Scotland.
SYHA exist, to help all, but especially young people, to experience and appreciate the Scottish countryside and places of historic and cultural interest in Scotland, and promote their health, recreation and education, particularly by providing low cost accommodation for them on their travels.
Local communities are actively encouraged to utilise hostel facilities where possible for community participative events, meetings and recreational use.
For many fragile rural communities SYHA brings benefits through social, economic and environmental impact, contributing to sustainable development in the local area
CURRENT ISSUES/ EVENTS
To overcome the problem of frozen water in the winter, the water pump is going to be submerged 600mm below the surface of the loch where temperatures remain below freezing.
The hostel runs on 24volts (equivalent to a car battery) whereas a normal house runs on 240 volts. The generator is a wind turbine, but it can provide only 5 days of back-up power if the wind does not blow. An emergency generator is required that is also environmentally friendly. Diesel has been discounted because it is not environmentally friendly, but the hostel uses gas cookers, powered by gas bottles, so a project is underway looking at converting a diesel generator into one powered by gas.
Review
ACHIEVEMENTS
- The project was completed within time and budget
- The project has created a building which is self-sufficient - with its own water supply, power system and toilet facilities
- The hostel is the first in Scotland to be completely self sufficient and will act as a model for other self sufficiency building projects
BENEFICIARIES
Around 3000 people are expected to utilise Loch Ossian per annum. This has been recorded from in-house visitor numbers from 2000 - 2002 inclusive.
In future the following information will be recorded:
- SYHA will monitor visitor usage to ensure all eco-systems are working within the designed usage capacity.
- Customer feedback will provide indications to enjoyment and awareness of local heritage and culture.
- Monitoring of community participation and liaison with private sector will inform social and economic sustainability.
PROCESS
Where possible local contractors and trades have been utilised.
Much of the work was done in-house, with external technical help sought when required
The work was planned to take place in the spring when weather conditions would be more amenable to outside work
All work was completed on schedule during the timeframe March - May 2003.
Essential steps to making the project work have been efficient and effective project management, particularly given the arduous task of having materials and equipment delivered on single track roads in extremely remote countryside.
LESSONS LEARNT
The support of the landowner was crucial to the success of the project. The landowner had the power to grant or deny vehicular access to the land, which was essential for bringing in the heavy machinery required to do the work.
Now that the project is finished vehicle access is only permitted twice a year, so it is essential that spare parts for all of the equipment be kept at the hostel in case any emergency repairs are required.
The climate and local weather conditions need to be taken into consideration when planning a project like this. Loch Ossian is at high altitude and gets very cold in the winter. The windy conditions make it perfect for a wind turbine, but it also has to be able to deal with days when there is no wind. The extreme cold will create problems such as frozen water in winter.
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