Scottish island communities work with scientists to develop nature-based solutions to coastal erosion

Social and environmental scientists from Glasgow Caledonian University are collaborating with island communities in the Outer Hebrides to develop nature-based solutions addressing the damaging impact of climate change on coastal areas.

The four-year project, Muir is Tir (Land and Sea) – Adapting to Coastal Change on Barra and Vatersay, focuses on tackling coastal erosion while promoting environmental and community wellbeing. The islands of Barra and Vatersay are significantly affected by erosion, particularly along the sand dunes and beaches, due to exposure to storms and rising sea levels of the Atlantic Ocean. The coastal erosion threatens businesses, homes and landmarks. Natural ways to manage erosion in past projects elsewhere by the University have involved using shellfish reefs or timber structures.

Dr Heather Lynch from the University’s School of Health and Life Sciences will lead the initiative, alongside Professor Slobodan Mickovski and Dr Alejandro Gonzalez-Ollauri from the School of Computing, Engineering and Built Environment.

Funded by an £800,000 UKRI Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) grant, the project engages a multidisciplinary team from Glasgow Caledonian, the University of St Andrews, the University of Edinburgh and the University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI).

Working in close partnership with local organisations — such as Coimhearsnachd Bharraidh agus Bhatarsaidh (Barra & Vatersay Community) Ltd; Voluntary Action Barra and Vatersay; and Eoligarry crofters — the project draws upon community expertise and scientific research. Collaborators also include The Blue Carbon Group, Nautilus Club and others dedicated to sustainable land and sea stewardship.

Barra and Vatersay, renowned for their natural beauty and fragile ecologies, host eight Nature Scot designated protected areas. These islands’ fishing and crofting traditions offer valuable insights into sustainable interactions with land and sea. The project will therefore address three key sites:

• Borve: A historic graveyard with archaeological significance threatened by erosion.
• Eoligarry Peninsula: A vital crofting area impacted by sand dune erosion.
• Vatersay Bay: Suffering from significant coastal sand dune loss.

Through a collaborative approach, Muir is Tir aims to integrate social, cultural and scientific knowledge to create effective adaptation strategies. Ultimately, the project aims to produce knowledge that can guide coastal communities in the UK and beyond to better adapt to the challenges posed by climate and environmental change.

Dr Lynch said: “Glasgow Caledonian is proud to lead this hugely important environmental protection and adaptation project, working with the local communities and environmental organisations on Barra and Vatersay, and other Scottish universities.

“Meaningful community involvement is widely acknowledged as a weak area of environmental science, as community interests are rarely centred within mainstream scientific methods. That is why this project is so unique because it was formed in response to community interest, and community expertise is central to the approach.

“The communities of Barra and Vatersay have much experience in managing coastal change. We need their expertise just as much as they need ours. The intricate coastlines of these isles endure the force of the Atlantic Ocean to the west and the storms of the Minch to the east.

“There is a dire need for adaptation planning as climate change kicks in with more storms, an increased risk of flooding and higher temperatures, and the impact the damage caused has on the local economy and people’s lives.

“The engaged, collaborative process through which Muir is Tir has been developed strongly suggests that coastal erosion and flooding pose a threat, not just to the natural environment and property, but also to economies of tourism and crofting, heritage sites and vital services.”

Professor Andrea Nelson, Pro Vice-Chancellor Research at Glasgow Caledonian, said: “As the University for the Common Good, we are delighted to be leading this research. We anticipate not only positive impacts on these communities but also learning how to deliver strong partnership working across groups, each bringing their expertise to bear to meet the challenges around climate change.”

The Committee of the Borve Resting Place Organisation, a small voluntary group striving to preserve Barra’s ancient graveyard, said they were “delighted to receive such a massive boost to help tackle the erosion which has gradually been undermining the cemetery wall over many decades”.

Betty McAtear, spokesperson for the Committee, added: “The cemetery is an important part of the island’s heritage; in addition to holding information about previous generations, it also contains an ancient broch and the rock remains of the chapel erected by the visiting missionaries in the early days of Christianity.

“Damage to the perimeter wall with the increasingly severe storms is undermining the ground and threatening graves in a considerable section of the cemetery and this is adding some urgency to its repair. The Committee, and the island community, are very grateful to have been chosen for this project, which will ensure the necessary work will be undertaken in a manner which will also enhance the local environment.”

Members of Carbon Neutral Islands, a Scottish Government project which has been instrumental in setting up Muir is Tir, are also delighted that the project has been awarded funding from UKRI NERC.

Darragh Keenaghan, from Community Energy Scotland, which represents Carbon Neutral Islands, added: “Coastal erosion and the need for adaptation was highlighted as a priority within Barra’s Community Climate Action Plan.

“Barra’s Carbon Neutral Islands (CNI) Officer, Shona McLeod, was instrumental in kickstarting the relationship with Glasgow Caledonian and in laying the groundwork through marine education initiatives together with UHI and Project Nautilus. This has helped lead to this larger scale project which will deliver significant value to the community. CNI and Glasgow Caledonian will work together to share the learnings and solutions from the project more widely to benefit other coastal communities around Scotland.”

Louise Heathwaite, Executive Chair of NERC, said: “This project highlights the importance of community engagement in environmental science. By working together, scientists and communities can develop solutions that are not only effective but also sustainable and inclusive. We are excited to see the positive changes these projects will bring.”