Dawyck returns to hydro

Tina Koenig • Published 20 Jan 2012 09:30 0 Comments

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GREEN-fingered bosses at Peeblesshire's busiest tourist attraction have a burning ambition for eco-friendly energy.

And they hope to save a few pounds as well.

Dawyck Botanic Gardens hope to install one of the region's first modern hydro-electricity systems.

And they plan to use the Scrape Burn just like their Victorian predecessors did.

A full planning application for the green energy scheme has been submitted with Scottish Borders Council.

If successful, it is hoped around 11 kilowatts of energy will be created just yards from the old Victorian hydro station, which powered Dawyck House almost a century ago.

Curator of Dawyck Gardens, Graham Stewart, told the Peeblesshire News: "Since the opening of the new visitor centre we are striving hard to bring down our environmental footprint and increase our environmental credentials by reducing our CO2 input.

"It would also feed into the national grid."

Dawyck Gardens received a silver award from the Green Tourism Business Scheme for their revolutionary visitor centre.

And it is hoped this latest project will give them even greater green credence.

Mr Stewart enlisted the help of expert Nick Forrest from babyHydro Ltd, who helped the local woodland garden team with their application.

The company carried out a specialist feasability study for Dawyck Gardens.

Mr Stewart added: "The impact on the environment would be very minimal but the contribution to the environment would be great."

Currently the Dawyck Botanic Gardens team are busy tidying up after the damage caused by recent storms.

It is due to re-open to visitors on February 1.

This article appeared in Peeblesshire News 20 Jan 12

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