As the creator of the first industrial revolution, do today’s global environmental issues rest firmly on the shoulders of Great Britain? Up until that moment, planet earth had been more than capable of ensuring its own survival.
Living off grid and sustainable living are being considered more as an option now than ever before. Driven by the realisation of the damaging effects on the planet caused by two hundred and fifty years of pollution; coupled with ground-breaking ideas and technology that can enable different ways of living that’s more friendly to the environment.
However, that idea is nothing new. As we found out at today’s site – Findhorn Bay Camping, an add-on to the Findhorn Eco Village.
The Findhorn Eco Village was founded in 1962 by Peter and Eileen Caddy, Dorothy Maclean, and Lena Lamont. This community has since evolved into Europe’s oldest ecovillage, promoting sustainable living and ecological awareness.
Over three hundred and fifty live in this vibrant village in an interesting mix of buildings. Terraced, semis and detached. All connected to an innovative biofilter that uses a plant based system to clean all black and grey water waste before it’s safely discharged back into the land. [more info at www.ecovillagefindhorn.com]
Before setting off to Brodie Castle, we take a look around the village.
Many of the houses are not how we imagined.
16thC Brodie Castle welcomes us with its nations flag flying high. We arrive just in time for the 12.30 tour, along with two New Zealanders, two Scots and an Ozzie.
Guide Stephen walks and talks us through the labyrinth of rooms. Weaves the family history into a fascinating, amusing and entertaining tapestry.
As is the case with many ancient homes, there are a multitude of allegorical facts hidden in plain sight. Stephen reveals the family’s history in a series of quirky stories. The bottom line being that in turn each male falls heavily into debt and marries a wealthy woman to pay off his creditors.
Stephen dissects the family crest in this stained glass into its significant pieces. Highlights the upstretched hand gripping the three arrows. They represent the three arms of the family being united. Hence the word UNITE.
The dining table is laid out with a set of dining plates the family had specially made in China! Two hundred years ago it took two years for the order to be delivered!
Apparently the Chinese have a reputation for comedy. The family crest on all items but one, show the word UNITE. The plate above the exception with UNTIE.
George, the wooden orangutan sculpture was called in to dine whenever there was an unlucky thirteen around the table.
Without Stephen we’d have come away from Brodie house none the wiser.
We end the day an hour away at Tarland Camping with an indoor game of table tennis.