Promoting Black Isle Bike Fest

Out now - the latest issue of the Reforesting Scotland journal

We were delighted to work with new editor Mandy Meikle to design this month's issue of Reforesting Scotland magazine. It has the theme Coping with catastrophe and covers the range of issues foresters and woodland stewards have to plan for in the face of threats such as epidemics of new tree diseases, storms and climate change. You can become a member and order your issue at www.reforestingscotland.org

The Melting Pot - Scotland's Centre for Social Innovation

This month we've produced promotional banners for the Melting Pot's upcoming events.

Find out more at www.themeltingpotedinburgh.org.uk

Four wooden walls to make the heart sing

This article appeared in the Spring 2013 issue of Reforesting Scotland magazine...

***

Sometimes the most profound ideas are best embodied in the smallest of packages. Authenticity is the key, and the lovely Woodman’s Hut at Nethy Bridge has it in abundance. Every detail of this beautifully simple building has been created with warm-hearted consideration for the wellbeing of the people who spend time there, writes Karen Grant.

Occasionally a building welcomes you with the warmth of the good hearts that built it. This is true of the Woodman’s Hut, built by David and Valery Dean in three acres of woodland near their well-loved hostel, The Lazy Duck. The Woodman’s Hut was built as a retreat for one or two people, just a short walk from their cosy and characterful eight-bed hostel. The Deans enlisted talented local craftsmen Rob Clarke and Dave Robson to do the construction, and the finished cabin shows the care and creativity of all the people involved.

One snowy afternoon in January, I visited Nethy Bridge to meet David in the hut at the edge of pine woodland looking directly up to Cairngorm and Bynack More.

A Million Miles better...

Catalyst Campaigns has been delighted to help promote the ground-breaking new Million Miles project launched by Transition Black Isle - including designing their logo in collaboration with their team. Locals say they have set up the project to "help Black Isle residents discover the joys of safer, greener, more sociable ways of travelling."

In the Highlands of Scotland, transport accounts for more than 20% of per capita greenhouse gas emissions, so the project hopes to help people reduce their carbon footprint  dramatically - while also saving money and getting to know others in the area. The Million Miles project has appointed two enthusiastic Project Officers who will co-ordinate and develop the project during the next three years.

Music as positive action - Lorraine McCauley and the Borderlands' new album

While much of Catalyst Campaigns work tends to be supporting environmental and social justice groups, the arts have so much to offer the wider field of creating positive change and we relish the new approaches that emerge from working from the artist's perspective. Recently we've designed artwork and video-based promotional material for `Light in the Darkest Corners’ - the soaring debut album of Lorraine McCauley and The Borderlands.

Lorraine has been a long-standing climate campaigner and community activist and her music is very much part of that. Karine Polwart recently tipped the band to be the breakthrough act of 2012, and sure enough, the album has been receiving fantastic reviews across the board, including a 4-star review in The Scotsman.

The songs range from tender love stories to feisty battle cries - all rooted in the folk tradition but with an experimental twist placing them firmly at the cutting edge of the contemporary scene.

Already familiar faces on the contemporary Scottish music scene, the talented musicians in Lorraine’s band, The Borderlands, include Jonee Duggan the accordionist and producer of the album, Nick Jenkins on viola, mandolin and fiddle and Billy Hamilton on cello. Together they create a magical and uplifting experience both in the recorded album and in live performances. They raised money to produce their album through Pledge Music - where fans pre-order the album, thereby funding it. 

You can hear their music here and order the album here.

Order your copy of Reforesting Scotland magazine now

This year marks a decade since I started designing the Reforesting Scotland magazine, and the organisation continues to be one dear to my heart. The latest issue focuses on sustainable living in a well-forested land, in terms of a healthy ecosystem, fuel harvesting, land use, recreation and food - in other words, a sustainable forest culture.

The magazine was timed to coincide with this year's Reforesting Scotland Annual Gathering at Badaguish near Aviemore.

You can order your issue at www.reforestingscotland.org