Energy & Environment
Extensive land management with carbon & renewable power generation at Logie
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Without consciously thinking about it, policy on an upland rural estate has always involved “environmentally friendly” management. Historically both our livelihood and that of others on the estate has come from extensive livestock farming, forestry and field sports – activities which, sensitively managed, tend to give at least as much back to the land as they take out.
As understanding of the effect of unrestricted fossil fuel consumption on the environment has increased, attention has turned to the part that “renewables” – resources which, responsibly used, provide energy without depleting the environmental bank balance – can play in providing the energy needed to make modern society function. These resources, wind, water, sun, sea and some crops – can all be harvested and as the technology to do so develops opportunities arise for new business ventures.
While we continue to research and develop how we can improve the environment around us we have a number of ongoing priorities which aim to ensure an ongoing balance with nature and our local environment.
Wood Power: Biomass
Woodland has always been a major feature of the Moray landscape and the county is justifiably proud of its reputation for growing high class timber. The best timber comes from woods which are regularly thinned to give the trees space to grow and the thinnings give us excellent material for converting into woodchip fuel.
In 2012 we installed a 195 kW woodchip boiler which now provides for all the heating and hot water needs of Logie Steading, Logie House and 5 cottages. Imported oil and electricity have been replaced with a locally produced, renewable fuel.
For every tree harvested at least one, and often more, are planted.
Wind Power
Several areas of the estate were identified as having likely potential for wind generation and after some detailed investigation we installed a single, medium sized 55kW turbine in 2012. We have gained valuable experience in both construction and operation.
Experience with this turbine encouraged us to look at a larger scale windfarm and we joined forces with Muirden Energy, an Aberdeenshire firm who have expertise in wind projects, in 2011. Following extensive survey and preplanning work a formal planning application was lodged in early 2013 and planning permission for twelve 2.3 MW turbines was granted in April 2014. The wind farm has been built in partnership with Muirden Energy, keeping as much as possible of the economic benefit flowing from both construction and operation within the local area.
The wind farm was commissioned in March 2017 and was officially opened by the children of Logie Primary School and Douglas Ross MP later in 2017 with a ceremonial planting of trees at the site.
As a benefit of the windfarm project, a community fund is used to support the Finderne Development Trust (FDT). Based at Logie Steading, the primary purpose of the FDT is to support and help to grow the rural area of Finderne. For more information, please visit their page, here.
Circular Economy
Circular economy is a new term for something that has been happening organically in rural businesses for centuries. Timber is grown for its primary use of creating building material, the parts of the tree that are not useful for this process are used elsewhere either on Logie Estate or nearby. This might be for energy production or other wooden products further down the chain such as particle boards or animal bedding.
The global centre of the whisky industry is right on our doorstep, coproduct from their operation is used to make cattle feed as well as being used as a natural soil improver, reducing or replacing the use of nitrate based synthetic fertilisers.
Biodiversity
We are on a journey to mapping, recording and establishing a baseline of the biodiversity and varying habitats across the Estate. While we know there is a rich blend of environments across the Estate, we are in the process of obtaining as much data as possible so we can establish how we can help to improve the Estate’s biodiversity and natural capital.
If you are an ecologist or simply a nature enthusiast who would like to help support this work, please contact Gill@logie.co.uk. You would be welcome to come to the Estate to undertake surveys of your species of interest or simply help by logging any sightings of flora and fauna you spot while visiting. We suggest iRecord App as a great way to help contribute to a wide database of sightings, helping us build a more accurate picture of all that calls Logie Estate home.
Solar
We have a number of solar panels on the Estate which feed energy back into the national grid as well as providing some power for our own activities.
Although the sun doesn’t shine all the time, the solar arrays are great at working away in the background, 365 days a year. When we don’t use the power they generate, the excess goes into the grid to power other people in the area.
