Location: Boleskine House, Inverness
Technology: Solar photovoltaic (PV) panels, battery storage and heat pumps
CARES funding: £80,000 capital grant
Date installed/operational: 28 February 2025
Background
The Boleskine House Foundation is a volunteer-led charity that is dedicated to the restoration, preservation and celebration of Boleskine House. The building is a landmark of the Scottish Highlands and is located on the southern banks of Loch Ness.
The Boleskine House Foundation found that the house’s oil-fired heating system was inefficient and unsustainable. It decided to explore renewable solutions that would also align with the conservation standards of a B listed building.
Project aims
The main aim of the project was to decarbonise Boleskine House by replacing the original heating system with two air source heat pumps. This would improve the building’s environmental sustainability and help make sure the building could be a community hub for the long-term.
Achievements and outcomes
The Boleskine House Foundation applied to the Scottish Government’s Community and Renewable Energy Scheme (CARES) and received a capital grant of £80,000 for the project.
During the application process, CARES recommended that a solar photovoltaic (PV) array and battery storage system be included in the project plan to complement the heat pumps.
The foundation installed two 10kW air source heat pumps, a 10kW solar photovoltaic (PV) array of 33 solar panels and a 16.4kWh battery storage system in February 2025.
The Boleskine House Foundation doesn’t yet know if it’ll save any money on its energy bills, but it’s pleased that it can now generate and store its own electricity, which has increased the building’s energy resilience while reducing its reliance on fossil fuels.
The Boleskine House Foundation stated, “CARES played a crucial role in shaping our project, particularly by recommending solar PV integration, which has strengthened our sustainability model. The impact on our community is profound – this project ensures that Boleskine House can operate as a low-carbon heritage site, setting an example for renewable energy use in historic buildings while reducing environmental impact for future generations.”
Lessons learned
One of the key challenges that the Boleskine House Foundation faced was getting quotes from contractors. It found that each company had its own approach, specifications and recommendations for heat pump sizes and system settings. This made comparing options a difficult and time-consuming process.
The Boleskine House Foundation also shared, “A key lesson learned is that having a technical expert to help with specifications, procurement, and feasibility early on can save time, reduce uncertainty, and make sure the right system is chosen.” If you’re starting a similar project, it’s a good idea to bring in an independent specialist early on. They can help explain the technical details and make the decision-making process smoother, leading to a sustainable and efficient energy system.
Published July 2025.