Hinterland Shelter

Following a succesful application for lottery funding through Awards for All Scotland the Hinterland Shelter was built in July 2011.

Designed by James Chitty to replace the old woodland bothy it was built collaboratively with Ian Purkis and Emma Magenta. It is made using locally sourced pine thinnings from Wilkies Wood.

The foundations are large Oak butts and the roof membrane is made from recycled lorry tarpaulins. The structure, sited adjacant to the Green Burial ground, has a very low carbon footprint with all the wood transported to the build site by harnessed pony and milled in situ with Purkis’ mobile sawmill.

Over fifty volunteers from the local area and further afield provided support in creating the woodland shelter, too many to name individually. Their work included digging foundations, extracting timber, peeling logs, cutting joints, raising the structure and turfing the roof. Youth Empowerment Programme of local youngsters were instrumental in raising the soil onto the roof.

Alongside this structure a series of rustic pinewood benches and a compost toilet were also created. The Hinterland Compost loo was designed by woodworkers and completed by participants on The Butterfly Effect international youth exchange. Construction makes use of every part of the log with nothing wasted. Worms digest the deposits, adding nutrients to the sandy soil. Liquids drain freely and are soaked up by thirsty young birch and scots pine saplings. A loganberry planted behind the toilet will climb onto the roof, providing fruit for passing birds and humans alike in years to come.

Immediately after completion the Hinterland Shelter was put into action as base camp for the 2011 Butterfly Effect, allowing the event to reach its’ full potential. The shelter is proving to be a valuable addition with various groups enjoying this attractive facility and live performance events being planned for the summer 2012 to celebrate in the heart of Wilkie’s Wood the growing abundance of the Hinterland.

A big heartfelt thankyou to Awards for All for providing the funding to make this inspiring project possible.

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Findhorn Hinterland Trust, Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SCIO) SC045806
228 Pineridge, Findhorn, Forres, Moray IV36 3TB