From the Water, Volume II

F R O M T H E WAT E R FORMING MARITIME CONNECTIONS

DESIGN STUDIES 5B Year 05 Tom Smith Catriona Macdonald

F R O M T H E WAT E R FORMING MARITIME CONNECTIONS Vo l u m e I I

“...ringed by the sea: it is their provider, their adversory and their insipration.� BBC Coast

Sub Arctic Preparation

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Introduction Water Highways Network: mending the fragmented archipelago Seasonal Strategy Intervention Schedule Working Landscapes PTN2013 Port of Ness Harbour CAL2013 Callanish Jetty SNT2013 Shiant Isles TAR2013 Tarbert RDL2013 Rodel Harbour MON2013 Monachs CY2013 Castlebay Precedents Phasing Material: Isle of Rust

Manifesto 01 Manifesto 02

Bibliography

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I N T R O D U C T I O N “People of the sea.”

The people of the Outer Hebrides have always lived and died by the sea.

Innse Gall (Foreign Isles),the most north westerly area in the British Isles, is an archipelago chain of 119 named islands spanning 130 miles.

Its coastline (2687km) is almost equal to its land area (2896km²) (excluding freshwater and intertidal areas) The Hebrides sea area has some of the most remote rural and coastal communities in the UK. The economies of these communities often rely upon marine industries such as fishing (14% by value of the landed catch in Scottish seas and in excess of 10% of total employment being from the fisheries sectors in the Uists and Barra) and aquaculture (8% of Scottish shellfish production). Inshore fisheries are mainly focused upon shellfish Additionally, the local economy is often heavily reliant on seasonal tourism, with the value of tourism to the Outer Hebrides economy at £49.9million, from approximately 180,000 (SNH; 2010) In 2006 there were 5990 yacht visitors to the Outer Hebrides, spending an average of just £96.02 These factors have resulted in a resolutely fragile economic environment. (HIE; 2010) The Group has identified the following key issues: • Seasonality • Product Development • Inconsistent accommodation and service quality • Improved transport coordination • Coordination of public and private sector interests Key strategies for development have been identified by the local authority as one where: - Tourism integrates with other sectors to provide a stable economic platform for business growth; - Tourism makes an increasing contribution to the islands’ economy and society; - Residents have high confidence and pride in Hebridean culture, and its appeal to visitors.

Scottish Government development strategies indicate the desire to create opportunities for diversification out of fishing through; • managing competition between fisheries and other users of the coastal zone, such as aquaculture and offshore renewable energy generation; • addressing the lack ofi ntegration betweent he planning and operation of fisheries and other users of the coastal zone; • reducing conflict between fisheries and biodiversity/natural heritage interests.

0-24 25-99 100-199 200+

berth marina berth marina berth marina berth marina

RYA heavy recreational cruising routes RYA medium recreational cruising routes RYA light recreational cruisin routes Scottish Boating Alliance Regions RYA sailing areas

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A T E H I G H W A Y S

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The West of Scotland is an internationally important yachting destination ( RYA Scotland consultation response). Scottish Government (2011) describes the distribution of sailing as being concentrated in the ‘Clyde region’ (comprising the Clyde Estuary and Solway) and along the west coast (comprising parts of the West and North West OWE Plan Regions) where the RYA Atlas of recreational boating indicates there are heavy recreational cruising routes 13 and several 200+ berth marinas.

Despite this, the Outer Hebrides currently underutilises and undersells itself within the marine leisure / industry sector.

As the diagram (opposite) illustrates, sailing visitors are not adequately provided for in comparison to facilities in the West (Inverclude area) and the North (Shetland and Orkney Isles).

Sub Arctic Preparation

NETWORK THEORY Mending the fragmented archipelago As an elongated archipelago chain of 130 miles from the northerly Butt of Lewis to southerly Barra Head, there is a strong sense of disconnection between communities.

Fragmented physically, economically, socially and through religious affiliation, the islands have long been divided, often with resentment at the centralisation of services and facilities concentrated on the main town of Stornoway.

But, their proximity to the sea and communitarian tradition has resulted in a shared, intrinsic connection to the marine environment, that has lasted for thousands of years.

SUB ARCTIC EXPLORERS

CALLANISH STONES SAFE ANCHORAGE

MARITIME CRAFTSMANSHIP + FABRICATION CENTRE

BIRD HIDE

SAILING SCHOOL BOTHAN

WATER SPORTS CENTRE

New network of existing active fishing infrastructure and interventions.

SEASONAL STRATEGY

PTN2013 Port of Ness

SNT2013 Shiant isles

TAR2013 East and West Loch Tarbert

RDL2013 Rodel Harbour

MON2013 Monach Isles

CY2013 Castlebay and southern islands

WORKING LANDSCAPES Although renowned for its stunning and diverse landscapes the Outer Hebrides geological build up allowed inhabitants to live off its land and surrounding coastline. Exposure to the Altantic Ocean in the west and the Minch on the east, m a x i m i s e d t h e a r c h i p e l a g o ’s p o t e n t i a l t o l i v e off the land and the coast.

C h a n g i n g t r e n d s i n l a n d u s e o v e r h i s t o r y, dramatically altered the Hebrides landscape.

The Viking occupation Continuous tree harvesting for longboat production and shelter resulted in the barren H e b r i d e s l a n d s c a p e o f t o d a y, w i t h t h e o n l y deciduous forest in the Isles located in S t o r n o w a y ’s m a n - m a n i c u r e d C a s t l e G r o u n d s .

Viking occupation also engineered the land use patterns in the islands, with crofting and transhumance being imported with the Norse invaders, perpetuating the importance of seasonality and adaption.

Fishing Islanders used the sea bed as a significant source of sustenance for centuries. Inhabitants traditionally fished to sustain local communinties resulting in minimal impact on the surrounding m a r i n e e n v i r o n m e n t . H o w e v e r, a s t e c h n o l o g y developed, large portions of sea bed have become devoid of activity and appear like an under water ‘moonscape’.

Previous records suggest a working landscape combining prosperity and stabiity in the c o m m u n i t y. H o w e v e r, i t m u s t b e u s e d a n d m a n a g e d i n a s u s t a i n a b l e w a y. W h e t h e r a fisherman scouring the coast for shellfish, a crofter tending to his sheep, or cutting the p e a t , t h e We s t e r n I s l e s l a n d f o r m a t i o n e v i d e n t l y plays a significant part in Hebrideans’ lifestyle and livelihood.

Defense Although traditional methods of working the land are being forgotten, the islands strategic location has become advantageous in modern terms. The Ministry of Defence has used the islands as an important radar / defensive site s i n c e t h e c o l d w a r, p u t t i n g t h e i s l a n d e r s o n t h e fringe on the frontlines.

WORKING LANDSCAPES PTN2013

Port of Ness harbour Cidhe Port Nis 58º 29’N 06º 13’W

Port of Ness harbour, built c.1800 and rebuilt c.1885 is located strategically on the most northerly point of the Outer Hebrides archipelago.

The large, irregularly-shaped, cellular dock, illustrates the significance of seafaring tradition to the local community, which has sadly been eroded over the last few decades: with once legendary fishing and boat-building skills having been forgotten.

An imposing sea-wall shelters the harbour from the often strong south, south-west and weterly prevailing winds.

Still, once a year, a group of 14 lccal men set sail for the rocky outcrop of Sula Sgeir, 40 miles from the coast. Hunting guga (gannet) from the precarious cliffs.

BRIEF Light towers illuminate the harbour and shine out to sea ________ a safe mooring place, Each tower will accommodate facilities for various sailing demographics: from the recreational fisherman to the intrepid explorer: supplies and chandlery, wifi connection and safety equipment, and harbour master’s office.

Port of Ness harbour is the last point of connection to land for sailors before they set sail for the north Atlantic.

The harbour has geographical and cultural potential to strengthen links between the Outer Hebrides and islands in the north: Orkney, Shetland, Faroe Isles and Iceland.

WORKING LANDSCAPES CAL2013

Callanish jetty Calanis

58º 12’N 06º 43’W Callanish jetty, on the shores of Loch Roag, acts as a landing point for, possibly, the most well known of Hebridean landmarks, the Callanish Stones.

Said to be used by the ancients to determine the passing of time and seasons, the site has held significance for around 4500 years. However, Callanish jetty is wholly disconnected from its famous neighbour and acts, only intermittently, as a landing point for local fishermen.

Meanwhile, Loch Roag and the wider area provide a necessary safe, clean and sheltered harbour along the Atlantic-battered western coastline.

Re-interpreting Time New development at the jetty attracts visitors via land and sea.

This small intervention re-interprets the Stones’ past use.

Varying tides dictated by the lunar season shift the shingle coastline to create distinct patterns along the shores of Loch Ceann Hulabhaig.

Floating platforms, placed strategically in the water, allow themselves to change with the varying tide. The continuous change in formation represents the passing of time and additionally will determine which activities are accessible within the intervention.

WORKING LANDSCAPES CAL2013

Sea Change: A Tidal Journey Michael Marten

WORKING LANDSCAPES SNT2013

Shiant Isles

Na h-Eileanan Seunta Isolated 5 miles south of Lewis and east of Harris, the Shiant Isles are a group of privately owned islands. Shiant, meaning “enchanted” or “holy”.

Cliffs measuring over 120m tall, similar to those at Staffa and the Giant’s Causeway, dominate the north side of Garbh Eilean.

The rocky outcrop is home to the densest colony of breeding Atlantic Puffins in the Outer Hebrides, numbering the tens of thousands on the steep slopes of Garbh Eilean

BRIEF An aerial bird hide facilitates undisturbed viewing of the substantial Puffin colony on Garbh Eilean and demarcates a secure place to land small craft.

Retaining an open structure, high wind loads- common to these exposed islands- should be relieved.

The wild Shiant Isles’ untouched nature is one its most alluring qualities. Choosing an appropriately sympathetic intervention is fundamental: one that touches the land gently and does little to impede any views.

WORKING LANDSCAPES TA R 2 0 1 3

E a s t + W e s t L o c h Ta r b e r t L o c h a n a n Ta i r b e a r t 57º 53’N 06º 47’W

Tarbert, the ‘second town’ of the Hebrides is home to approximately 550 hearachs. The narrow neck of land separates the Minch sea (East Loch Tarbert) on the east, from the Atlantic Ocean on the west (West Loch Tarbert). Relatively sheltered, the ‘fjord’ comprises sea lochs with steep hills on either coast, dominating the landscape.

BRIEF Tarbert becomes the focal point for maritime fabrication and launch in the islands. Materials are imported here, and landed at West Loch. The fabrication process begins on the Old Pier, before the finished boat is carried by rail system through the village, along Old Pier Road, and launched at East Loch.

The name ‘Tarbert’ derives from the Norse for ‘draw-boat’, isthmus, or, a narrow neck of land joining two larger areas, flanked by water on either side. The name, common across Scotland, often indicates a ‘portage’, and it is said the Vikings carried their longboats over Tarbert to avoid sailing around the Sound of Harris.

The configuration of the Maritime Fabrication Centre follows Hebridean communitarian traditidions, with an interactive and open ethos.

WORKING LANDSCAPES TA R 2 0 1 3

E a s t + W e s t L o c h Ta r b e r t L o c h a n a n Ta i r b e a r t 57º 53’N 06º 47’W

1. Stereotypical factory form. Horizontal ‘production’ building mass located to vertical tower element (Industrial chimney). Tall elements reresentative of light beacon highlighting centre of masterplan and production zone -reinterpret lighthouse.

2. Stage One function for production centre. Breaking the forms into separate functioning components. Raw materials delivered via boat into storage facility. Construct other components within Western Isles masterplan and destribute completed items via boat.

3. Stage two function altered in production centre. Building expanded to provide facilities for boat building and accommodation. Becomes a linear system with production beginning at ‘light beacon’ tower and ending at ‘ceremonial’ tower.

4. Stage three building function alters to encourage public involvement. A raised walkway with pausing spaces allows public to view boat building process in reverse. Final walk through tower reveals the first visual connection with corresponding tower and harbour on East Tarbert.

WORKING LANDSCAPES RDL2013 Rodel

Roghadail

57º 44’N 06º 58’W

At the end of the ‘Golden Road’ and dating from c. 1785, Rodel harbour preceeded Tarbert as the principle setllement and landing place on the Isle of Harris. Captain Alexander Macleod (1716-90) built boathouses, storehouses, manufacturing building, a mill, plantings and a cart track, and the township became the epicentre of a thriving fishing and kelp industry The quays and original buildings, constructed by Captain A Macleod are now Grade B Listed.

BRIEF Development at Rodel will proceed in 2 phases: first, timber bouchots will be set into the foreshore to facilitate cultivation of Mussels.

The second phase adopts the bouchots as pilotis, as moveable classrooms and amphibious external teaching platforms associated with a Sailing School inhabit the pier.

Primarily, the configuration of the forms should expand and contract with the seasons and tides.

Rodel, as one of the safest anchorages in the Hebrides.

WORKING LANDSCAPES RDL2013 Rodel

Roghadail

57º 44’N 06º 58’W

WORKING LANDSCAPES RDL2013 Rodel

Roghadail

57º 44’N 06º 58’W

Mytilus edulis Marine mussels are abundant in the low and mid intertidal zone in temperate seas globally.

Intertidal growth technique, or bouchot technique: pilings, known in French as bouchots, are planted at sea; ropes, on which the mussels grow, are tied in a spiral on the pilings; some mesh netting prevents the mussels from falling away.

This method needs an extended tidal zone.

Growth rates in Hebridean waters mean that it may take 2 years for the mussels to reach optimum size. Howeverm harvests of up to 100kg per pole may be expected.

WORKING LANDSCAPES RDL2013 Rodel

Roghadail

57º 44’N 06º 58’W

Mussel Farm / Sailing School

Phase 01 Installation of rail track and bouchots for mussel farming.

Seeding is allowed to take place in sea loch at Rodel.

Phase 02 Sailing School interventions are place in location prior to Summer months when harvesting of mussels will be prohibited.

Improved weather provide advantageous conditions for learning sailing skills in the protected sea loch at Rodel.

Phase 03 As weather conditions begin to deteriorate during autumn-winter months, sailing school interventions retract towards the pier in preparation for storms and the end of the tourist season.

WORKING LANDSCAPES MON2013 Monach Isles Eilean Heisgeir

5 miles to the west of North Uist lie the Monach Isles, designated a National Nature Reserve due to its undisturbed machair land and the second largest Grey Seal colony in the world.

Uninhabited since 1942, the isles were said to have been populated for centuries, possibly even thousands of years before.

A small township existed on Ceann Ear, supporting but, following migration, the abandoned buildings were reused as bothies for passing fishermen, before falling into disrepair.

The Monach Lighthouse, on Shillay, was refurbished in 1997 and allows safe passage along the western coast.

BRIEF Reworking the notion of the island bothy, the amphibious shelter may be used as both a place to sleep, and also a means of crossing the Sound of Shillay- linking the archipelago.

Three of the island chain, Ceann Ear, Ceann Iar and Shivinish all become physically connected at low tide via a sand bank.

The new route allows mariners to berth at the only jetty in the chain, on Shillay, and explore the islands safely.

WORKING LANDSCAPES CY2013

Castlebay harbour

Cidhe Bagh a’ Chaisteal 56º 57’N 07º 28’W

Castlebay, the southern gateway to the Outer Hebrides, becomes a playground for recreational watersports enthusiasts. Being the population hub on the Isle of Barra, the village is capable of facilitating visitors, while the northern side of the island remains the industrial zone.

Daily ferry services to Lochboisdale, Oban and Tiree provide national connections to the Outer Hebrides.

But, Castlebay is perfect as a launchpad for local exploration: neighbouring Eriskay, Vatersay and Mingulay- remote caves, cliffs and beachs for kayakers, canoeists and divers.

Playground A series of floating platforms interconnected via a water bus system form a ‘watersports activity hub’.

Platforms are transportable during seasonal changes and outstanding events.

Diving, coral explorations and platform fishing are all incorporated within the main activity zone spanning between the Castlebay township and Kisimul Castle.

The platform elements are also amphibious objects that can be hoisted ashore where the function of space is again adaptable.

P R E C E D E N T S Chong Kheas, Cambodia Halong Bay, Vietnam Koh Panyi, Thailand

PHASING

Tarbert Tarbert

Rodel Sailing Academy

Faroes

Phase 01

Phase 02

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North

Isles

Port Of Ness

International Marina Base

Tarbert

Rodel Sailing Academy

Castlebay

Watersports Centre

Phase 03

Phase 04

M AT E R I A L I S L E O F R U S T

T h e O u t e r H e b r i d e s i s a n u n f o rg i v i n g p l a c e i n many ways.

Its ethereal lunar landscape provides a stark platform for the battering of man-made, imported objects, machines and materials.

Like a metal graveyard, rusty vehicles lie half s u b m e rg e d i n p e a t b o g s a n d c o r r u g a t e d i r o n outhouses patina involuntarily in the salt-laden Atlantic gales. In a place where it is easier (and c h e a p e r ) t o a l l o w n a t u r e t o a c t a s t h e d e m o l i s h e r, many monuments to traditional industries and crafts lie eerily abandoned.

Rather than fight against the elements, material choice should reflect the strength, power and harshness imposed on it, significantly in this exposed archipelago on the fringes.

M A N I F E S T O Sub Arctic Preparation

SELF-DEPENDENT COMMUNITIES Reducing rural communities economic dependence on Stornoway. Create site specific activities along the Western Isles coastline allowing the local population to engage and thrive.

RE-USE EXISTING INFRASTRUCTURE Adapt piers and harbours relative to immediate context encouraging marine activity and prosperity within the relative communities. Moveable objects transported between piers during various demand phases.

MAINTAIN CRAFTSMANSHIP TRADITIONS Preserve, share and educate essential maritime skills including boat building and net mending which have been an integral part of island communities for generations.

MARITIME ENGAGEMENT Introduce practical maritime courses within Sir E Scott School, Tarbert. Facilities made available on neighbouring pier for youths aspiring for a career within the maritime industry.

Additionally, a sailing school at Rodal encourages maritime participation for all ages.

STABILISE A FRAGILE ECONOMY Reduce Outer Hebrides heavy reliance on tourism. Piers and harbour developments strategically placed throughout the islands attempt to ‘spread the wealth’ throughout a 12 month economic network. Varying harbour activites including mussel farming generate multifunctional ecoonomic options available for local communities.

SUSTAIN ISLAND LIFE

M A N I F E S T O 1. IDENTITY Outer Hebrideans are people subjected to varying forms of servitude and oppression for generations, whether from wealthy landowners or the Ministry of Defence.

Perhaps as a result, “He is extraordinarily cautious even for a Scotsman, for he fears ridicule even more than he desires success.” (Nicolson, 1960). In finding an architectural response to the ideology of identity, “There must be more than mere imitation, it may be a process of re-inventing, reimagining or re-defining a place in addition to paying homage to its physical or historical roots.” (Mari Hvattum, 2012) What if we could build islanders’ self-confidence and help them take responsibility for social stability and economic sustainability.

2. SKILLS An island is, by definition, surrounded by water. It stands to reason that its people have long been defined by the sea. But skills acquired over thousands of years, from navigating the sea to boat building craftsmanship, have long been forgotten. By strengthening maritime association, local maritime-related businesses will benefit. Moreover, the population’s skill set will diversify, with more employment in primary industries (currently underpromoted).

Maritime training and skills must be given prominence in education and economic development strategies for the Outer Hebrides.

3. OWNERSHIP In a place where crumbling ruins lie in memorial to Cleared land, and sculptures remember Land Struggles, the notion of ownership has long been a contentious issue.

In Scotland, 83.1% of land is privately owned, in comparison to 2.2% community owned. The Crown Estate (owner of the foreshore and seabed around the Outer Hebrides) has begun a process of Local Management Agreements (LMAs) encouraging local community groups to lease areas under their control in order to strengthen local economies.

We must abandon notions of elitist capital accumulation, prevalent in Scotland for the last 1000 years? What if communities had freedom to transform their coastline into a productive environment.

4. ECONOMY Outer Hebrides has been identified as the most fragile economy in their region by Highlands and Islands Enterprise. Heavily dependent on seasonal and variable income, the Outer Hebrides’ economy is highly unstable. HIE also identified a fear of change and development as being key to economic vulnerability.

What if it isn’t fear of change, but a lack of opportunity that creates a fragile economic climate in the Outer Hebrides?

5. BORDERS Considering the current political climate, debate over the definition of physical, historical and cultural borders is to the fore. How do we define ourselves in terms of international relationships? It could be said that in many ways the Outer Hebrides has more in common with the Faroe Islands and Iceland than with the Central Belt and Lowlands of Scotland. If the North Atlantic region is our community, stronger links should be made with those countries on its periphery.

We must abandon traditional notions of borders and reassessed who our neighbours are.

B I B L I O G R A P H Y

Literature: Nis Aosmhor, Dan Morrison The Stornoway Way, Kevin MacNeil Spaces of Labour, Jonathan Charley The Lord of the Isles, Nicolson Film: Off Kilter: Isle of Rust, Jonathan Meades, BBC 4 BBC- The Guga Hunters of Ness

http://www.bbc.co.uk/scotland/nature/the_guga_hunters_of_ness_creating_the_programme.shtml

Traditional Skills education in Outer Hebrides http://www.educationscotland.gov.uk/mp4/dts/sgoillionacleit.mp4

Art: Taobh an Iar, Donald Ferguson Time and Tide

http://www.guardian.co.uk/artanddesign/2012/feb/24/michael-marten-photographer-tide-pictures

Lecture: Scottish Government: CPGM Architecture and the built Environment Scottish Government: Nordic Horizons Web Resources: Norwegian Tourist Trail http://www.nasjonaleturistveger.no/en

Stornoway Rowing Club https://www.facebook.com/StornowayRowingClub

Scottish Traditional Boat Festival https://www.facebook.com/ScottishTraditionalBoatFestival

Sail Hebrides http://www.sailhebrides.info/

Ports and Harbours UK

http://www.ports.org.uk/allareas.asp

Scottish Government Reports: Scotland’s Marine Atlas http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2011/03/16182005/47

Scottish Coastal Forum: A Strategy For Scotland’s Coast And Inshore Waters http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Resource/Doc/47060/0014564.pdf

Scottish Government: A Strategy For Scotland’s Coast And Inshore Waters http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2004/07/19639/40169

SNH: Nature Based Tourism in the Outer Hebrides http://www.snh.org.uk/pdfs/publications/commissioned_reports/353.pdf

Working Way Out West http://www.documentscotland.com/portfolio/working-way-out-west/