Isle of Eigg
The Isle of Eigg Heritage Trust says, “June 12th is not only 16th anniversary of the buy-out but also marks five successful years running of Eigg's world-leading electricity system. Community-inspired and community-run our scheme uniquely combines power from the three renewable resources of solar, wind and hydroelectric generators into a stable controlled grid that supplies all who live, work and holiday on our Island. Life changing and life enhancing the system has encouraged growth and development in new directions and, after five years, the benefits of community ownership continue to accrue.”
At a ceremony to mark John Booth’s retirement as Director and voluntary Project Manager from Eigg Electric, Eddie Scott, Chair of the Resident’s Association, said; “The electricity scheme has been central in uniting the community and we simply could not have taken it forward without John’s pragmatic and dogged determination. We owe him a great deal.”
In 1986, when petrol was a mere £1.89 a gallon (£0.41/litre), John Chester moved to Eigg as the Islands ranger with the Scottish Wildlife Trust. His first progress report notes that he spent that first year living in ‘Woodman’s Bothy’, a 6’ by 10’ shed with no running water. Sadly Woodman’s Bothy was destroyed in a recent gale, but John Chester still stalks the island, recording everything that flowers or flies in his annual Birds of Eigg reports. Isle of Eigg Heritage has now published these reports, incorporating Eigg bird records from as far back as the 1700’s, in his first book. The Birds of Eigg, a compendium that demonstrates his remorseless attention to detail and breadth of ambition. Those who have known John over the years have added their tuppence-worth in tribute to the man and his obsession, and the book is richer and more humorous for this, and all the profits from the book go towards keeping this essential wildlife work going. In congratulating him, Director of isle of Eigg Community Association Colin Carr said: “John ‘Bird’ is synonymous with Eigg, a tireless ambassador reaching visitors and volunteers alike; we are very proud of him and that his work is now available in this book.”
Chair of the Isle of Eigg Heritage Trust, John Hutchison, said; “We have come a very long way since 1997. At that time we had an uncertain future and a dispirited, shrinking population. Now we have 40% increase in the population & a healthy school roll. The community continues to work enthusiastically in taking the Island forwards.”
Birds of Eigg can be bought online here.
The 16th anniversary of community ownership on Eigg co-incides with the publication on Walkhighlands of more walks in the Small Isles. The site now has a total of 20 detailed routes on the islands of Eigg, Rum, Muck and Canna – more than enough to plan a few trips.