There’s vertical farming and there’s hydroponic tower farming, and researchers at The James Hutton Institute in Aberdeen are collaborating with UHI Orkney’s Agronomy & Agriculture Institute to find the answer to two key questions – Will they work in practice in Orkney’s diverse communities? And would they be financially viable?

The team are providing information on these innovative new systems and the changes they may trigger, and they would like to gather island feedback. They want to know if the technology might be deployed for Westray’s benefit, and if so what the practical advantages might be – and also the risks.

They will provide tea, coffee and Orkney biscuits, and possibly some Aberdeenshire ones as well. They would like your permission to make an audio recording of the event, and also if they could take some photos from time to time. The workshop is run in association with the Westray Development Trust.