How to Retrofit the Remote Scottish Islands 

Facing extreme weather and unreliable ferries, collaboration between housing associations on these remote Scottish islands has made retrofit possible, thanks to the invaluable support of PfH Scotland. 

The journey to the Scottish islands of Argyll and Bute involves a ferry ride and a drive from Glasgow, highlighting the remote and rural nature of these locations. Picturesque though it may be, building and maintaining homes in these areas presents significant challenges. Inside Housing visited the Scottish islands of Argyll and Bute, where 400 properties in need of eco upgrades are scattered in villages and towns across four islands. Facing the prospect of complex logistics and high costs, housing associations in the Western Scottish islands have teamed up to deliver their retrofit projects as a joint venture, reducing complexity and costs in an economy of scale. 

The collaboration has allowed these associations to share resources, expertise, and funding, making it possible to tackle the unique challenges posed by the remote locations. The retrofit projects aim to improve energy efficiency, reduce carbon emissions, and enhance the overall living conditions for residents. This initiative is not only beneficial for the environment but also helps in reducing energy bills for the residents, making it a win-win situation for all parties involved. 

PfH Scotland has played a crucial role in facilitating these projects by providing procurement services that streamline the process and ensure cost-effectiveness. Our expertise in procurement has been instrumental in overcoming the logistical challenges and high costs associated with retrofitting properties in such remote locations. 

“Procurement is quite often seen as red tape, as more of hindrance than a help, but in reality it’s not,” states Chris McGinn, Commercial Manager at PfH Scotland. “The Scottish government encourages collaborative procurement, so if we get the likes of Michelle [Mundie] and Brett [Sadler] together and get their organisations collaborating, if it’s done right there’s real benefits. It allows you quick, efficient, compliant routes to market.” 

This article was originally published in Inside Housing: Read the full article on Inside Housing here.

Discover more about PfH Scotland’s procurement services here and how they can help your organisation achieve similar success in challenging environments.