Electric cars and diesel tractors.

MICT (Mull and Iona Community Trust) have been working away behind the scenes at trying to progress the use of electric vehicles on Mull.  Two initial charge points have been installed - one in Craignure which we (Treshnish and Haunn Cottages) are sponsoring, and one in Fionnphort. 

Today they held an Electric Vehicle Seminar in Craignure. They invited electric car manufacturers along, but only Nissan decided to make the journey and they brought their Leaf with them. Transport Scotland was there.  Our MSP Michael Russell was there.  There was an exciting announcement that Calmac will give a 50% discount on ferry tickets for electric cars. 

In the Brecon Beacons they have started an innovative Twizzy rental network, and Thierry was brought along today, by Alison Kidd and Peter Williams, so that they could talk to us about what they do, and we could perhaps think of doing something similar here.  It was nice to meet Alison in person as we had been communicating on Twitter!

Here he is.  Thierry - a little 2 seater open buggy which is FUN to drive.  Farmer and I declined to try one out, but can see the appeal!  Thierry the Twizzy, along with Alison and Peter, has just been on Eigg. They are working with the community there alongside Edinburgh University to try and make a more robust version for Eigg's particular island life.  Now that would be interesting for Treshnish!

A test drive in Craignure. MICT had cleverly managed to persuade Nissan that their car stay on the island for the next 2 weeks in order that potentially interested parties might get a chance to test-drive it for 24 hours. (Our shot tomorrow!)

The first electric car on the island belongs to our webmaster Peter.  Here he is in his Gee Wizz on his way home to Penmore through Glen Bellart.

MICT have helped us apply for funding to have an electric charge point here at Treshnish, which will hopefully be up and running soon.  

Back from the talks and discussions around the finer points of electric vehicles, Farmer went off and burn some fossil fuel.  He had decided as the grass was still looking quite thick and green in the Haunn field that he would try and make some more silage before the weather breaks.

One man went to mow - a Coronation Meadow. Look at the empty seed pods of the yellow rattle lying in the cut sward.

Still some clover flowering.

 A satisfying sight.  Finishing off the mowing.

Tomorrow it will be baled and wrapped.