WHAT IS HUTTING? #
Hutting is the term used for the traditional model of hut use which came to the fore in Scotland between the First and Second World Wars, whereby workers from the industrial areas of Scotland paid a little ground rent to a landowner so they could build a simple hut for the use of their family and friends. Some hut sites of this type still exist in Scotland, including the largest, Carbeth, which has 140 huts on a 90 acre site. Reforesting Scotland’s Thousand Huts campaign successfully lobbied for inclusion of huts in Scottish Planning Policy in 2014, enabling a fledgling new wave of hutting in Scotland.
HOW DO I GET A HUT? #
Currently demand far exceeds the supply of huts, however several proposed hut sites are going through the planning process now. If you would like a hut you have several options: Approach existing hut sites directly and ask to be put on the waiting list for a single hut plot; Look on the Thousand Huts Facebook Group or join the mailing list for details of upcoming opportunities; Rent or purchase a piece of land and apply for permission yourself, or with a group of friends. When you have a plot, you will have the option of: Selfbuilding your hut; Paying someone else to build it; Purchasing an off-the-peg hut.
WHAT IS THE ROLE OF REFORESTING SCOTLAND’S 1000 HUTS? #
Reforesting Scotland (RS) is a small charity campaigning for a healthy and sustainable forest culture in Scotland. Thousand Huts is one of RS’s campaigns. Thousand Huts works to remove barriers to a sustainable hutting culture in Scotland, and to support people with information, skill-sharing, advice and events, and connect them with other hut enthusiasts.
IS THERE A CENTRALISED BODY THAT MANAGES HUT SITES IN SCOTLAND #
No, there is no centralised body.
HOW CAN I KEEP CONNECTED WITH OTHER HUT ENTHUSIASTS #
Thousand Huts has various networking tools where you can connect with other hutting enthusiasts. These include: The Reforesting Scotland Hub (hub.reforestingscotland.org); Our Facebook Group (www.facebook.com/groups/118307858251185); this website and newsletter list (via www.thousandhuts.org); our events (including our annual Hutters Rally).
