Dave Thompson MSP

Highland Birchwoods welcomed Dave Thompson MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch to their office in Munlochy where he spent the morning learning about their work in woodfuel supply chain development throughout the Highlands.

Biomass Projects Manager Chris Perkins explained how, through their Esmee Fairbairn Foundation and Highland Council funded project, Local Power, Highland Birchwoods are helping communities in Applecross, Ullapool and Thurso to take control of their energy supply by setting up their own woodfuel heating companies using local resources and creating local economic benefit as well as carbon savings. Highland Birchwoods themselves were one of the first businesses in the Highlands to install a woodchip boiler.

Mr Thompson said, “I was very impressed by what I saw in my visit. I am no scientist or engineer but the renewable energy from the woodfuel power systems I have seen today are, to my eye, leading edge.  The Black Isle is fortunate to have such a forward thinking charitable organisation based here. This work is already driving projects elsewhere in the Highlands and I will do all I can to help them expand still further.

Fiona Strachan, Highland Birchwoods’ Head of Operations said “We have been working to support the development of sustainable woodfuel supply chains for almost a decade now and the Local Power project is an exciting opportunity for us to help people in Dave’s constituency to take ownership of their energy supply and benefit economically, socially and environmentally from doing so.

Notes:

1.    Highland Birchwoods is a charitable company limited by guarantee (SCO21146). It’s address is Littleburn Road, Munlochy, Ross-shire IV8 8NN. Tel. no. 01463 811606.

2.    The Local Power project is funded by the Esmee Fairbairn Foundation and the Highland Council and is managed by Highland Birchwoods. For more information about it, or any of Highland Birchwoods’ other project please go to www.highlandbirchwoods.co.uk