Strontian
FIVE hundred bales of straw have helped create one of Lochaber's most energy efficient holiday homes.
The eco-friendly Jill Strawbale House, which sits in an elevated position above the manse in Strontian, uses straw bales as its main form of insulation and exports five times more power than it imports. Helping to reduce the impact of a holiday on the environment and offering greater self-efficiency, the property gets most of its power from two micro hydro generators. The owners also encourage guests to recycle and use public transport wherever possible throughout their stay, as well providing eco-friendly cleaning solutions. With a background in tropical forest management, the owners Robert and Justine Dunn worked with a local architect to help finalise plans and gain the necessary permissions for the property but did most of the construction themselves.
Mr Dunn said: ‘Despite having no experience of the building industry, Justine and I were keen to create the holiday home ourselves.’
The pair said they have always been passionate about the environment and knew the holiday home had to be eco-friendly and energy efficient. ‘Many people do not realise straw is one of the cheapest and most sustainable forms of insulation. Covered inside and out with lime, it also makes the house breathable, allowing moisture in the air to move from the inside of the house to the outside. This helps to cut energy bills, boost home comfort and promote healthy indoor air.’