A timber system building company has completed work on an exemplar eco-village for social enterprise, Duneland Ltd in Moray, north Scotland, which has attracted buyers from all over the world.

Stewart Milne Timber Systems supplied build systems incorporating cutting-edge products for 25 new low carbon homes for Duneland at East Whins, a 16 acre site adjacent to the Findhorn Foundation Community at The Park, in the Findhorn Bay of Moray.

The project is the latest in Duneland's vision to create sustainable human settlements which provide solutions to human and social needs while also working in partnership with nature.


Using solid cross-laminated timber (CLT) floors, an open panel wall construction and cassette roofs, all properties in the development incorporate very high standards of insulation and air tightness, providing an energy efficient living solution.

Scottish timber was used for most of the structural products, while the CLT came from Austria.

The Ecovillage, designed by Glasgow-based John Gilbert Architects, comprises 13 two- and three-bed terraced houses, 12 two-bed flats and six flexible units which include a community area, laundry block and workshop spaces. The materials for this project were all chosen for their low ecological impact, and also for their natural, visual appeal to reflect the development’s dune and woodland setting.

The properties incorporate top-of-the-range renewable technologies including air source heat pumps and high-end solar thermal roof panels.

The project is due to be completed in January 2013 with worldwide buyers set to move in from Europe, Asia, Africa and North America.

(NE)