WHO WE ARE
Brian Whitington
Brian has worked on climate change mitigation action across the UK for 25 years, mostly around energy in the home and community buildings. He is a qualified adult education teacher (PGCE), with a subject specialism in community environmental activities, unique in the UK. He has developed community training for climate activists across the UK and the EU. For the last 9 years he has worked in the Outer Hebrides, drawing together partnerships for community action on energy and climate change. He sits on the OHCPP Climate Change Group, Uist Local Energy Plan and acts as a consultant on energy and climate change.
He holds an MSc in public administration from London University. Brian is a local food producer in the islands using crofter and community owned land reared meats, no plastics in packaging and an electric vehicle for transporting products.
Euan Scott
Euan has an academic background in ecology and biological sciences. Upon moving to Barra he has project managed a range of renewable energy and infrastructure projects including the community wind turbine and the Castlebay marina. He has an eclectic range of interests ranging from oyster cultivation, whole system approaches to renewable energy, GIS and learning Gaelic, and has worked with the Coimhearsnachd Bharraidh agus Bhatarsaidh Ltd since 2007. He is currently working on a number of projects with a focus on sustainable development enabled through holistic low-carbon solutions including: a pilot seaweed farm and a techno-economic options appraisal of a planned processing facility; a coastal esplanade active travel project; the implementation of the Barra & Vatersay local energy plan and representing the community company in the RIPEET, EPSRC Decentralised Water Technologies and Scottish Government’s Carbon Neutral Island projects with the Island Centre for Net Zero project being a likely addition to the list as of 2023.
Carolyn MacPhee
Carolyn has 20 years experience in the energy sector including oil & gas and manufacturing. Enjoying a rural upbringing in farming and fishing villages along the Eastern Seaboard of Scotland and despite moving to the Western Isles in 2016, her Harris croft is also on the East Coast. Her education includes studying Plant & Soil Sciences at undergraduate level and more recently, completing an MBA. An ethical vegan, Carolyn's climate foci lie in sustainable practices, investigation of circular economy and waste management. Carolyn is currently employed in the Third Sector and involved in a variety of community aspects including climate change, social justice & economic recovery.
Kathleen Milne
Kathleen is the former Libraries Manager for the Library & Information Service of Comhairle nan Eilean Siar. She has worked in libraries for over 30 years in a variety of roles and is also on the board of the Scottish Library and Information Council. As part of the Outer Hebrides Climate Beacon, Kathleen has facilitated a range of community engagement activities to raise awareness of climate change, including film screenings, collections of books and resources, author talks and workshops. Kathleen has recently completed Carbon Literacy training and is a Climate Fresk facilitator. Kathleen is continue to develop Lan Thide, an arts based climate change collaboration in the Outer Hebrides.