Instagram Takeover 2021 – Eilidh Walker
Time flies when you’re having fun and somehow we are already on Week 10 of this year’s Instagram Takeover – the variety of content and ideas from the team so far has been brilliant. Let us know any particular favourite thoughts, ideas or advice you’ve seen in the takeover so far in the comments below!
For week 10 we head North to the Highlands & Islands with Eilidh Walker, Chartered Building Surveyor & Crofter taking over. I have no doubt that this week we will see inspiration from the islands Eilidh has grown up in and calls home as well as the broader Highlands too. Over to you Eilidh for your #WorldoftheFuture! To stay connected with Eilidh and continue the conversation connect with her on LinkedIn.
- Learning from our neighbours. (Image : Above, Centre)
On one of my first visits to Shetland, I got an insight into their District Heating Scheme. An alternative method of reducing landfill waste but also providing lower cost domestic & commercial heating to Lerwick. Interestingly, the emissions are much lower than typical combustion activities. Would this be a more viable option for rural communities similar to Lerwick? - Going, going, gone! (Image : Above, Right)
Having attended some local auctions I have seen and bought surplus materials to use on small DIY projects. Recently we, constructed a small lambing shed using these materials. In terms of the future, establishing a market place for second hand/surplus materials for reclamation from strip outs could be repurposed under a regulated system, another rpossible solution to reducing waste to landfill and depleting natural resources. - Bucking the trend. (Image : Below, Left)
New build properties in rural communities are becoming more and more common place, I feel. There are undoubtedly challenges when refurbishing an existing building. It can also be a challenging environment with properties located in more outlying areas. However, when approaching the property above, you cannot deny the kerb appeal or rather loch appeal! Here’s hoping these properties will be occupied again one day soon. - Going back to our roots. (Image : Above, Centre)
Lockdowns brought a realisation and given us perspective on our lifestyles. More people took an interest in food, growing their own vegetable crops or sourcing their food more ethically. It is good to see the land being used, and even more so the fruits of your labour. I hope there is more diversification here, and land is used to its fullest potential. This is a small step in the direction of self sufficiency, and helps reduce the miles food travels before getting to the shelves. - Community Spirit (Image : Above, Right)
Living in a scenic place, I am spoilt for choice on where to go for a walk. A walk on the beach is always interesting, you never know what your going to find! It always amazes me finding things from the other side of the Atlantic, Canada and America.
As a youngster, my local youth club would organise village/beach clean up’s throughout the year. This would be something I’d love to see again, especially with the vast amount of marine plastic out there. Coupled with this, it would be quite transformational if methods of recycling items/plastics that are not yet recyclable were in place, not just in large cities but in rural places too. - Joining up the dots (Image : Above, Left)
Visually speaking, the islands are all situated in a chain formation. Similar to lost rural communities in Scotland. These places have often lacked in suitable infrastructure and connectivity, leaving them behind. However, with the sudden and overwhelming increase in tourism in the Highlands & Islands. Transport, infrastructure and connectivity requires a widespread upgrade not only to support tourism but to let these rural settlements flourish and become more sustainable.
Head over to our Instagram – @weareglm – and follow along as Felicity Fairclough (Image : Above, Right) takes over Week 11!