Selina

Thank you all for your input. There’s lots of food for thought. I’ll look into the timber frames. There are some misunderstandings about proper straw bale construction. A properly built house should last 100-200 years. I did see a person using a poly tunnel to store his straw while he built. Ensuring it was kept dry. Yes the straw is the insulation and there is a frame around it. The houses are eco friendly and can be off grid sustainable. Straw is a byproduct of farming and currently has no reuse except for insulation (so far that I know), so it’s being recycled and not taking away from the food chain. The straw bale house will be sealed in lime plaster, or similar material to create an anaerobic environment. I intend to clad it in rock keeping with the home blending into the environment. And being more traditional in appearance. A lot of the building materials are sourced from Islay, keeping the cost of importing supplies from the mainland down. I’m also sourcing an experienced construction firm to help with the build.

Hello, in my research I have noticed that the Scottish Islands don’t really have straw bale houses unless they’re lets. I want to know if anyone here has an idea as to what the challenges are. I’m keen to build a straw bale on the Rhinns of Islay (primarily) or elsewhere on the islands stand. thanks Selina

My name is Selina. I’m working on settling on Islay and I hope to build my dream home there. I look forward to getting advice and sharing my experiences as they come along.