Walk & Talk: Diversifying at Balbeg Estate

Balbeg is a diverse Estate in rural South Ayrshire which offers holiday accommodation, with 5 properties on site with the ability to sleep over 40 guests, as well as prioritising renewable energy sources to help combat climate change.

The installation of a Hydro Scheme, located on Balbeg Burn, has been successfully generating electricity for over 10 years. This supplies electricity and lighting to all 7 residential properties and associated Estate buildings. It produces enough electricity to power 22 houses with excess not used  returned to the National Grid.

In addition, there is a Woodland business on the Estate, covering over 200 acres. They have recently planted new woodland over 128 acres which is predicted to sequester 12,856 tonnes of CO2 equivalent over the next 55 years which equates to 100 tonnes per acre over 128 acres. This comprised a mixture of conifer, diverse conifer, and mixed broadleaves with 13 acres of open space, left to provide access for the public to enjoy the woodlands.

A 199kw woodchip boiler was installed in a newly constructed building accommodating the boiler and fuel store with the capacity to store 9 tonnes of woodchip. The boiler is fed by woodchip which is locally sourced and partly supplied by timber from Estate. The system supplies heat and hot water to all 7 properties on Estate.

The event will include:

• Tour a recently renovated holiday cottages
• Visit the hydro scheme
• A look at the biomass boiler system
• Visit the recently planted site and hear from Davidson & Robertson who advised on the project

This event will be hosted by Andrew Sinclair of Balbeg Estate, kindly sponsored by Davidson & Robertson.

Tea, coffee and a light lunch will be served. Upon booking, please make us aware of any dietary requirements.

A walk of 30 minutes each way will be required up to the planting site. If you require assistance, please do let us know in advance and we will arrange for transportation. Outdoor footwear will be required as well as weather appropriate clothing.

This event is free of charge to SLE Members, but booking is essential through the SLE website.

Additional Event Information:

Meeting point: Rabbie Burns Lodge at Balbeg Estate from 10am with a view to starting promptly at 10:15am.

Approximate itinerary:

10:00-10:15        Arrival

10:15-10:45        Introduction, holiday cottages tour – tea & coffee

10:45-11:15        Hydro scheme

11:15-11:45        Biomass

11:45-12:00        Tea & coffee

12:00-12:30        Walk up to new woodland creation

12:30-13:00        Planting project & Davidson & Robertson (sponsor)

13:00-13:30        Walk down

13:30-14:30        Lunch

14:30                  Thanks & close

This event is kindly sponsored by