Not only Scotland's first, but the first to be built in the UK, the construction of Earthship Fife Visitor Centre was begun in July 2002 during an intensive 8 day building programme with American Earthship pioneer Michael Reynolds and 11 trainees from across Scotland and England. From July 2002 to 2004 more than 200 volunteers completed the Earthship during weekends and work experience days.

Overlooking Kinghorn Loch, this centre shares a site with Craigencalt Ecology Centre and is built back into the hillside. Although the building is being used as a demonstration, full housing standards were applied when going through the planning process, and Sustainable Communities Initiatives are running an on-going monitoring process to assess an Earthship's performance in Scotland's climate.

Unfortunately the building itself was closed on the only day I could visit, but there was plenty of activity in the grounds and gardens, as well as bright ideas on recycling - a subject dear to my heart!