Island of Linga, Walls A Unique Shetland Crofting & Fishing Experience May 2015 Rev D
Walls Village & Island of Linga (centre)
Introduction • Linga is located in the middle of Vaila Sound on the Westside of Shetland and sheltered from the Atlantic by the larger island of Vaila. • Linga has been uninhabited since 1934, prior to which two cottages were occupied for crofting. • Linga has an area of approx. 64 acres and the closest land is only 300 meters distant. • Linga has been seriously neglected which has had an adverse effect on the ecology and variety of it’s wildlife.
Objectives • To recreate a small crofting and fishing community as found in Shetland before the age of the “internal combustion engine”. • Provide a “hands on” crofting and fishing experience with quality accommodation in vernacular style. • Use renewable energy and eco-friendly solutions throughout the project promoting environmental awareness. • Create a unique facility which will help stimulate tourism on the West side of Shetland and promote all aspects of Shetland’s rich cultural heritage. • Provide an educational facility for Shetland’s school children. • Provide local employment and assist existing local businesses generate additional revenue from new visitors.
Rebuilding Linga
How it will be Achieved • A pier and landing area to be built on the North side of Linga for access. • Storage shed built at the pier for winter storage of boats and equipment. • Reception area for visitors built on shed near the pier including toilet. • Greenhouse to be built on the shed for growing vegetables & fruit. • Windmill on hilltop, solar heat & solar PV on shed roof. Small hydro plant at mill. • Two existing croft houses, now derelict to be rebuilt to high a standard. • One new cottage to be built in traditional style on the South East side of the island. • Original crofting areas and buildings to be rebuilt and worked in traditional style. • Central wet area developed as woodland and loch. Loch will produce organic trout. • Walking path around island with styles.
Linga Master Plan
How Linga will Look from Walls
Crofting before 1900 • The main focus of Linga will be to provide a “hands on” crofting and fishing experience similar to what would have existed in the late eighteen hundred’s in Shetland. Including: – Peat cutting, drying then flitting by boat to Linga for stacking and cottage heating. – Transport of all goods by boat & horse. – Delling by hand or ploughing by horse. – Cultivating tatties, neaps, kale and other vegetables using crubs, yards and rigs. – Growing and curing hay and corn (thatch) by hand including dess and screw building. – Rearing of local breeds where possible including: sheep, hens, ducks, horses, pigs, cows. – Fishing by sail and oar: dorrow, long line, net, creel. – Salting & curing meat & fish.
ECO Friendly Solution • The cottages outfitted internally to high standard with modern appliances and quality furniture. • Maximum use of ECO friendly and renewable energy solutions to be used and show cased as part of the low carbon experience including: – High Insulation & Air Tight design (Passive Haus) – Low carbon material (local stone, reworked wood/slate) – Wind power with battery storage – Hydro power using loch for water storage – Passive Solar heating through smart cottage design – Solar PV and Solar water heating – Bio fuel – local peat and timber from woodland – Rain water harvesting from all roofs inc. shed – Grey water recycling – Sewage treatment with filter beds – Ground source heat pumps, heat recovery ventilation – Composting resulting in minimal garbage to remove – Stirling engine providing backup heat and power Note: The Croft House Museum already demonstrates early croft house living as found in the Linga era therefore it is not intended to replicate the old cottage internals on Linga.
Linga Pier • A new pier will be constructed on the North side of Linga where a suitable site exists. • The pier will be protected from waves and boat wash by a simple rock wall construction. • The area to be dredged to allow several boats such as four/sixereens to lie alongside . • A slip and laydown/storage area will be provided to support the construction phase.
Linga Pier Layout
Pier Detail
Linga Base • Above the landing stage a new building to be erected which will be used for storage and mustering visitors on arrival and before leaving the island. • This building to include toilet, store and communal area for the cottage residents. • Small events including music and poetry evenings can be held at this location for residents. • A greenhouse is included and will be used to grow herbs, veg, fruit and salad crops. • All the equipment related to the windmill/power and local heating system will installed at the shed.
Linga Shed & Reception Area
Combined Heat & Power System
Typical Cottage/Shed Utilities
Fresh Water System Overview
Existing Cottages • The two derelict cottages to be rebuilt using existing stonework where possible. New layouts have been developed to optimise the limited available space. • The cottages each to include common living, dining, kitchen area plus bathroom and two/three bedrooms. • Power to be from wind/solar PV cells with battery backup, water from rainwater harvesting, drainage to septic tank. • Good quality high speed internet via satellite. No TV or telephones. Only mobile phones will be used.
North Cottage – New Elevation
North Cottage – New Plan
South Cottage – New Elevation
South Cottage – New Plan
New Cottage One new cottage to be constructed on a site at the South East end of Linga. The cottage will have spectacular views looking south over Vaila towards Fitful head and East to Foula and Burastow. The site is remote from other activities taking place on the island and has it’s own beach. Gravel tracks only are envisaged connecting the cottages and the pier landing area.
New Cottage - Elevation
New Cottage – Plan
Crofting Activities • New byre constructed in traditional style. • New barn constructed in traditional style with thatched roof and kiln for drying oats. • New pig and hen houses constructed. • Existing crubs & dykes rebuilt along with new yard. • Original rigs will be cultivated in traditional style for tatties, neaps, hay, corn and oats.
New Croft Building Design
Loch,Water Mill & Plantation - A two acre loch will be constructed with three ponds for the natural rearing of brown trout. - The outfall from the loch will pass through a traditional Shetland mill which will be used to demonstrate grinding corn. - The mill will also encompass a small hydro turbine for backup electrical power. - A two acre plantation has already been fenced and planted to create a Native Shetland Woodland (9 species including Icelandic Willow planted) in order to encourage wildlife and eventually provide timber for cottage heating.
Loch & Plantation – Plan View
Loch & Mill - Elevation
New Water Mill Detail
Specialists Supporting Linga • AB Associates – Overall Project Consultants & Advisors • Richard Gibson - Architects • Arch Henderson – Marine Architects • Highwater Scotland – Water Supply Specialists • Ecological Aquaculture – Loch Design • Rewatec - Rain Water Specialists • SAC – Crofting Aspects
Organisations to Contact • In addition to the parties that may provide grant funding the following organisations may be interested in working with the Linga project: – Shetland Tourist Board – Shetland Amenity Trust – Shetland Museum – Shetland Archives – Walls History Group – Walls Development Group – Walls Marina & Regatta Club – Guild of Knitters and Spinners – Shetland Arts Trust
Planning Status • Pier Shed – Full Planning – June 2012 • Pier – Full Planning – May 2013 • North Cottage & Windmill – Full Planning – June 2013 • South Cottage – Full Planning – Oct 2013 • Loch & Mill – Full Planning – Oct 2013 • Byre & Barn – Full Planning – Oct 2013 • Tree Plantation Grant Awarded 2013 & Planting Completed May 2014 • New Cottage – Full Planning – March 2014
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