Rural Scotland People, Prosperity and Partnership

---

Tweed Horizons Centre for Sustainable Technology

The Tweed Horizons project which began in 1993 used the former St Columba's College in Newtown St Boswells to provide accommodation for businesses and seminars related to sustainable development and the provision of support to new and existing businesses in this area of development. The project is being taken forward by Scottish Borders Enterprise and has a total cost of £2.7 million from June 1993 to March 1997. Over 500 metres of office and laboratory space has already been provided and 12 separate companies have already been attracted to the project, creating employment for 39 people. In addition, an integrated land-use plan has been developed for the 10 hectares surrounding the building, including a forest garden, a native nursery, a composting trial and organic horticulture. The building will be powered and heated by a specially developed biofuel generator.

The companies attracted to the Tweed Horizons banner are all associated with various forms of sustainable development, frequently involving the use of advanced technology. They include companies in:

• sophisticated energy management, as well as providing advice on a range of energy matters, undertakes a complete design, supply and fit service for combined heat and power plants

• developing rural land based projects into sustainable businesses, including the farming of fungi, tree nurseries and the recycling of organic waste

• developing markets for a tyre re-cycling system and reclaimed products of gas, oil, carbon and steel

• design and manufacture of odour control systems based on activated carbon and bio-filtration

• design and patenting of components for advanced bicycles;

• design and patenting of clothing to enhance the human thermo-regulatory system, based on research into adipose tissue;

• the use of wood for power generation which has set up a producer group for growing willow coppice (for fuel) on agricultural set-aside land.