Ruaraidhstails

Magic Potatoes

2010-08-22T13:09:00.000-07:00

I always think it is magical when digging potatoes. As you dig down into the dark earth so a crop of edible potatoes emerge. This year I planted some through weed proof fabric placed straight onto grass. This has now made a new bed.
Thanks Jane for the demonstration.

The Big Tent Festival

2010-07-31T03:24:00.001-07:00

My son and I went to the Big Tent Festival in the grounds of Falkland Palace, Fife.

We helped with the preparations in the run up to the event and then Mark continued to volunteer

Whilst I helped run the busy Permaculture Scotland stall

We occasionally bumped into one another but both had a great time meeting new friends and catching up with old.

Also met up with a fellow Bongo owner!

At Last....

2010-07-06T11:04:00.000-07:00

We have hit the road with Movern

There have been some teething problems!

But we managed a trip to Kintyre

And spent a few days helping Ed

Before coming over to Islay and helping in the Community Garden

Very interesting to work in a semi commercial project

Permaculture Scotland

2010-02-21T04:03:00.000-08:00

Last Saturday I attended a meeting in Dunblane that discussed establishing a permaculture network in Scotland with view of strengthening and supporting the development of permaculture in here.

It was great to meet with so many enthusiastic people with a common goal. We spent the day discussing our interests, intentions, aims and objectives with a number of open space meetings taking place. From these discussions, a working group came to the fore who, with the use of permaculture design and principles will look to find the best way to establish this group. All very exciting!

Bong Hunt

2009-11-15T12:12:00.000-08:00

I've started hunting for a campervan for Ruaraidh and I to travel around Scotland wwoofing.

We found some on the east coast last week which has given me a lot to think about!!

A blue one would be nice!

Local Produce Community Solutions

2009-10-31T11:39:00.000-07:00

I spent the last couple of days in Rothesay on the Isle of Bute attending an event organised by Fyne Futures Ltd.

The first session was held in the Green Tree Cafe, a community cafe, part of the Bute Healthy Living Initiative. This initiative has a large programme of events and works with the community, producers and manufactures.

The next day we visited Bute Produce situated on a 6 acre field that was gifted to the community a year ago. Within that short space of time the Project has set up a community garden growing and selling food for the local community.

On site there are various portacabins that are being used as offices, storage and a compost toilet
.

Billy, who runs the Project talked about project development and the many ideas being considered to develop the Project further. The core produce of the project are; potatoes, cabbage, carrots and broccoli. There are currently two polytunnels with a third to be erected. They have just purchased a wind turbine.

The Project is also trying to produce premium products such as blueberries.

It is also child friendly and has its own children's club 'Ferry Berry'

It was great to visit and network with other people running community garden projects in Argyll.

Seil Community's Drill Hall Garden

2009-09-29T08:58:00.000-07:00

On the way back from Luing I stopped off to see the new Community Garden on Seil

The community had built the garden after the old Drill Hall was replaced by a new community hall. They applied and got help from the BBC's Beechgrove Garden.

Lots of difference people were involved and the children from the local primary school at Easdale each chose and planted a tree with a slate tag with their name on it.
Seil is inshore from the 'Slate Islands' and the ground is riddled with slate spoil on top of a slate foundation!

The garden has lots of interesting features including this insect habitat wall.

http://forargyll.com/2009/07/bbc-beechgrove-gardens-features-seil-communitys-drill-hall-garden-tonight/

The Last of Summer?

2009-09-28T08:14:00.000-07:00

Earlier this month I was lucky enough to go back to the lovely island of Luing and help on the caravan site; www.oban-holiday.co.uk

Caravans have changed somewhat since I was a child.
Now there are lots of cupboards housing showers and toilets,
They have done away with gas mantels and have electricity at the flick of a switch,
And the hoovers have gone space age!

As well as cleaning caravans, I helped weed the veg beds.

It was not all work, the rain decide to take a break as well and we had sunshine most of the time I was there. As this was totally unexpected we ran around trying to make the most of it, including a bbq on the beach at Culipool, watching the sunset over Fladda and Mull.

The beaches on Luing are mainly of slate, giving the opportunity for works of art?

I was also able to visit the island of Torsa where the only house is a holiday let nestled in the hills, tranquility, along with the sheep and cows.

Whilst exploring the island we found some marsh fritillarie webs and looked out to the isle of Shuna surrounded by mist.

I saw dolphins playing in the Cuan sound early one evening and the odd head of an otter or seal. What struck me most about staying on the island was how quiet it was, no background noise - bliss!

And Ruaraidh made a new friend.

Summertime....

2009-09-04T01:22:00.000-07:00

The days are definitely getting short and the summer sun seems to have disappeared!
Back in July we went to the Big Tent Festival - Scotland's largest eco festival where fun was had meeting people and dancing to the wide array of music.

Kilmartin House Museum took along their new yurt to camp in whilst they enticed those on the east coast to visit the museum on the west.

Amongst the eco exhibits was a 'do it yourself' juicer, run on peddle power.

The embryonic 'Permaculture Scotland' group had a stall where we were able to spread the word, garner interest in and run a couple of well attended Introduction to Permaculture workshops.

Even the sun shone and we were able to enjoy the novelty of sitting outside without midges!

At the beginning of August we went to the Ford Fun Day where by some fluke Ruaraidh won an obedience prize!

Later in the month it was the Mid Argyll Show. The annual agricultural show where Ruaraidh was saved the embarrassment of being entered their dog show.

Lots of animals, Scottish dancers, the Mid Argyll Pipe Band and old tractors turned out in the rain.

The Kilmory Home Farm Community Project displayed their plans for a community garden/growing areas in a dry tent.

Time at Home

2009-06-29T07:35:00.000-07:00

The wwoofing seems to have taken a back seat at present but I have managed to keep myself busy.

My son helped build some raised beds from wood purchased from a local community project. I filled them with some lovely horse poo and homemade compost. This should rot down nicely, ready for next spring. Meantime, I have sown some seed in pots.

The annual permaculture course at Kilmartin House Museum had its Introduction Day where students were able to get acquainted with the local landscape.

We have been making elderflower cordial from the elderflowers growing by the cottage.

Last weekend we had another permaculture work bee in Kintyre where soil was put in place for a living roof.

A veg bed was dug and later netted to protect from birds and rabbits.

Fun was also had on the beach with a bbq and canoeing!

Old Sleningford Farm and Forest Gardening

2009-04-23T12:42:00.000-07:00

I have become interested in Forest Gardening and after reading Patrick Whitefield's excellent book, decided to go on a course at Old Sleningford Farm near Ripon, Yorkshire. http://www.oldsleningford.co.uk/

Cherry plum blossom

A forest garden is modelled on nature and has three layers; a tree layer made up of fruit and nut trees, a shrub layer made up of soft fruit and nut bushes and a herbaceous layer made up of perennial vegetables and herbs, annual vegetables are included where they are self-seeding.

The idea is to work with nature for a maximum output with minimum input. The output is usually food for humans, animals and insects but can include medicine, dyes, craft materials and fuel.

The forest garden at Old Sleningford has been planted in stages and the oldest part is now in its fifth year. Over 100 fruit and nut trees have been planted so far, along with fruit bushes, the ground cover is a huge strawberry bed with some herbs.

As Ripon is a long way from Argyll I was able to volunteer for a couple of weeks and work with the lovely people there and get to know the forest garden which was already cropping loads of rhubarb!

Whilst volunteering I helped complete a willow bird hyde.

Weed raised beds - separate from the forest garden.

Weed and mulch around some of the trees.

Help staple wire to fence posts!! This was to support raspberries.

Old Slenginford Farm is a permaculture project with lots of different things going on including an orchard with chickens

A brilliant pizza oven which can cook a pizza in seconds.

On the first Sunday of each month the Farm has a volunteer day allowing visitors the opportunity to help and meet up. It was great to meet new people, exchange ideas. The time flew by whilst barrowing horse poo and mulching with straw!

All in all it was a great experience, a great course and great people, well worth the trip.

Permaculture in Action!

2009-04-14T04:32:00.000-07:00

After years of saying we'd meet up and work together in finally happened!

We went to the Isle of Kerrera, just off Oban and helped Heather with her garden and new polytunnel.

We were fortunately to have dry and sunny weather, so got busy unpacking the polytunnel.

Whilst some scratched their heads at the lack of instructions, others started preparing the garden beds

Before long things began to make sense and the structure took shape.

Unfortunately only half the hoops had been delivered but the foundations had been laid and the vegetable garden was now ready for sowing after a very enjoyable and fun packed weekend.

Since our weekend Heather has obtained the missing hoops and put them in place and is now waiting for another sunny day (or a weekend of visitors!) to finish her polytunnel.

Our next meet is in May at Tayvallich!

A Time of Rest

2009-03-04T07:48:00.000-08:00

I had an operation on my foot at the beginning of December so have been resting whilst it heals. During this time I have been reading up on forest gardens, making notes and thinking about how and where to start designing and creating.

At the end of January the permaculture course at Kilmartin completed its final module with a reunion ceildh and new ideas on how to spread permaculture throughout Scotland. I am now helping put together the next course with new teachers, due to start this autumn.

wwoofing at Culdees

2008-11-29T07:36:00.000-08:00

I've recently come back from Culdees on beautiful Loch Tay.

Culdees is a small international community consisting of transient wwoofers and others working on the farm and in the bunkhouse. The mission of Culdees is to create a Universal Multi Faith Ecovillage based on permaculture principles and is headed by the Reverend Maryse Verlaik-Anand.

Whilst there I undertook a variety of task and had my first experience of working with animals. Ruaraidh had a great time learning to be a farm dog with training from Nell.

I 'chased' escapee pigs and managed to milk the goat.

As well as doing a bit of weeding, cleaning the bunkhouse and cooking, I spent a couple of days removing staples from fence posts! The weather was great and the views out to Loch Tay breathtaking as the sunset.

During my time off I was able to visit some of the local sights including the Praying Hands of Mary in Glen Lyon and the oldest known yew tree in the nearby village of Fortingale. Another great place was the Watermill Bookshop in Aberfeldy which has been voted the best independent bookshop, well deserved along with its coffee shop and cakes!

All in all I had a great time, met some lovely people, sharing time working, singing and dancing!

www.culdeesbunkhouse.co.uk www.culdees-ecovillage.co.uk

Ed's Plot

2008-11-29T04:06:00.000-08:00

I'm still catching up with my posting.

Also this month I visited Ed's site down on the Kintyre peninsula, where I'm helping to plan his tree orchard and shelter belt. The site is triangular and looks out to the island of Cara. A lot of space for trees!

The Alchemy of Chutney

2008-11-29T03:49:00.000-08:00

Earlier this month I spent a day with Ed, my tutor, making chutney from his garden harvest. This included apples, onions, garlic, chillies and tomatoes and was mixed with vinegar, brown sugar and various spices to make a wonderful accompliment to salads, cheeses etc.

I now have more confidence to try and make my own mixes!

Felting

2008-11-09T11:47:00.000-08:00

I was given a lovely birthday present from friend - a two day felting course with Liz Brown of http://www.heartfeltbyliz.com/ We spent two days frantically felting with Liz in her workshop and stayed overnight in a yurt!

Another Island, Another Shelter Belt

2008-10-30T12:53:00.000-07:00

I have been visiting a friend on Kerrera and helping in the garden she has crafted there. There are different sections to the garden including vegetables and a small apple orchard. It is based at the north end of the island facing the Firth of Lorn where a shelter belt is a necessity!

Permaculture Weekend

2008-10-30T12:25:00.000-07:00

Last weekend I helped facilitate the latest Design Course to run from Kilmartin House Museum. On the Saturday we visited Tarbert on the Kintyre Peninsula and searched for the newly arrived sheep at the Castle. The sheep have been bought in to keep the grass short rather than strimming. On Sunday we took the ferry to Portavadie to visit David Blair and his inspiring project at Dunbeag, Tighnabruaich www.dunbeag.org.uk

Drimlabarra Herb Farm

2008-10-21T08:35:00.000-07:00

Drimlabarra Herb Farm

I recently visited and volunteered at Drimlabarra Herb Farm on the isle of Arran. Here Maureen and Keith Robertson grown organic herbs along with their own fruit and veg.
Whilst visiting I helped weed a bed of calendula which had been previously harvested for infusions, and when wet assisted with the cleaning and stock take in the herbal dispensary. It was interesting to see all the different herbs used and have a guess at what their Latin names translated to.

When the rain took a break I was back outside to weed the recently planted (approx 2 years ago) shelter belt. Another of my diploma projects, where I am acting as an apprentice, is the design and planting of a fruit garden along with shelter belt. The farm here is situated at the southern end of Arran, about 800 metres from the sea, facing south and getting the full brunt of the south westerly gales, very similar to where I'll be planting . So I was able to ask lots of questions and weed around the little trees!

Maureen and Keith are the co-founders of the Scottish School of Herbal Medicine in Glasgow http://www.herbalmedicine.org.uk/k/

Island Hopping

2008-09-23T07:51:00.000-07:00

My daughter came to visit last week and we went island hopping. First to Luing, one of the slate islands off the Isle of Seil. We went across the Cuan sound in a very small roro ferry and walked to the village of Culipool with its white washed quarriers cottages. We then scrambled up the highest hill we could find to view the neighbouring islands.

It was then on to Easdale Island via a small open boat. Easdale covers approx 10 hectares and there are no cars on the island where a permanent population of about 60 live. Easdale is another slate island. The slate quarries flooded in a storm in 1881 and from then the industry declined with the last slate being cut in the 1950's. The community today is thriving with tourism being the main industry.

Later in the week we went to Lismore, travelling on a small enclosed boat from Port Appin. This time we took our bikes and cycled to Iond Naomh Moluag, the islands new heritage centre. A environmentally friendly, low tech building made from locally sourced wood and incorporating geothermal heating and a turf roof.

Permaculture

2008-09-10T03:17:00.001-07:00

To me permaculture is about sustainable living and has a core philosophy of co-operation with nature whilst caring for the earth and its people - its not just about gardening! Permaculture has been steadily spreading across the world from Australia for the past 30 years and I first learnt about it approx seven years ago and have been learning and incorporating it into my life since. Permaculture and the emerging Transition Town initiative look at the twin problems of Climate Change and Energy Decent, and see these global problems as an opportunity to design descent pathways which make people feel alive, positive and included in the process of societal transformation to the post oil society of the future. Read Rob Hopkins book 'Transition Handbook - from oil dependency to local resilience' and you will be inspired!