The Clim-ATIC project will fund three key activities relating to woodfuel.

1) A range of FREE training, and awareness-raising events to increase the capacity to use wood fuel in the Cairngorms National Park

2) Promotion and knowledge transfer of the use of wood fuel through a new website www.lowcarboncaringorms.org

3) The setting up of a community log supply chain in the Cairngorms National Park

The project will work alongside other ongoing wood fuel initiatives taking place in the Cairngorms National Park which will ensure a legacy of ongoing support and advice after the Clim-ATIC project is finished. In addition the Clim-ATIC demonstration project activities will be an integrated part of the Cairngorms National Park Wood fuel Action Plan, which will ensure complementarity with other wood fuel-related activities in the region.  

Training and Awareness-raising Events

A number of FREE events are planned, designed to inform different audiences and increase awareness of different aspects of wood fuel supply and use. These events will make use of knowledge, materials and contacts developed during previous projects (e.g. the NPP Northern Woodheat project) as appropriate and applied to the local level:

For more information on any event or to make bookings please email woodfuelbookings@lowcarboncairngorms.org

Training: Wood fuel Supply & Fuel Quality - This event will cover fuel supply issues and will be aimed at landowners, wood fuel suppliers, timber merchants, system suppliers and installers, end users (managers of public buildings) to ensure all parts of a supply chain understand the issues and implications surrounding wood fuel supply and quality. It will cover raw material supply, fuel production, business models and also fuel quality. It is a full day event, will be held indoor with a wood fuel facility on site, capacity 40 persons and lunch is provided. It will be run twice:

Monday 16 the November 2009 - Glenlivet Estate Offices, Tomintoul
Saturday 21st November 2009 - Aboyne Academy

Seminar: Community Wood fuel – This seminar is specifically for community groups and local community members interested in starting a wood fuel initiative. The first will outline the issues involved in supplying and running different types of wood fuel installation, and will also cover business models and give examples of community initiatives already in operation. It is a half day event, will be held indoors, capacity 25 persons, refreshments and child care will be provided. It will be run twice:

Saturday morning 28th November 2009 - Boat of Garten Community Hall
Saturday morning, January 2010 (date to be fixed) - Victoria and Albert Hall, Ballater

Training: planning a domestic Wood fuel Installation - This event will be aimed at householders who are thinking of installing wood fuel and looking for general information on boilers, installers, fuel supply and suppliers, advice and support  and grant-funding, perhaps in combination with other renewables e.g. solar hot water.   It is a half day event, will be held indoors, capacity 25 persons, refreshments and child care will be provided. It will be run twice:

Saturday morning April 2010 (date to be fixed) - Boat of Garten Community Hall
Saturday morning, August 2010 (date to be fixed) - Victoria and Albert Hall, Ballater

Seminar: Making the most of farm woodlands - This event will be aimed at landowners, farmers, tenants and crofters, to enable them to make best use of farm woodlands, in particular highlighting new ways of using farm timber resources as a fuel. It is a full day event, will take place mid-week, will be both indoors & outdoor, has a capacity of 30 persons and lunch is provided.  It will be run twice:

March 2010 (date to be fixed) - Deeside (venue to be fixed)
May 2010 (date to be fixed) - Alvie Estate, Kincraig

Seminar: Wood fuel for the Construction Industry - This will be aimed at the building trade; planners, building control, architects, installers and plumbers. It will include presentations from existing installers, suppliers and users, and also from Highland Council representatives on planning and building control requirements and from BRE on accreditation. It will promote a better understanding of the planning and safety issues surrounding the use of Wood fuel heating systems and also include information on how to access further training.  It is a full day event, to be held mid week, indoor, for 50 persons and lunch will be provided. It will be run twice:

February 2010 (date to be fixed) - Speyside (venue to be fixed)
March 2010 (date to be fixed) - Deeside (venue to be fixed)

Seminar: Community Woodland Association training - This seminar will be aimed at Community Woodland Association members and interested community groups within the National Park and will demonstrate opportunities that wood fuel provides for community forest management and development. It will be a full day event, midweek, indoor/outdoor, will target 30 persons and lunch will be provided.

April 2010 (date to be fixed) - Speyside (venue to be fixed)

Training: Wood fuel Boiler Installation for professionals – This will be aimed specifically at plumbers from within the Cairngorms National Park to train them to become accredited. This will hopefully be the start of a training source that will provide local accredited installers to meet future demand  It is anticipated it will be a 2 day training module, held mid week, indoor, for 10 persons. There will be 50% subsidised cost for this event - Details to be confirmed.

June 2010 (date to be fixed) - Inverness College

For more information on any event or to make bookings please email woodfuelbookings@lowcarboncairngorms.org