Share a story of how you have experienced weather and/or climate at this place
We have lived in Brough for the past 15 years and have noticed significant changes in the weather patterns, with longer, milder, more stormy winters. Our house is in an exposed spot (not unusual for on and around Dunnet Head - there isn't much shelter) and our home has experienced significant damage during storms.
One other factor we have noticed is that the Highland Council is no longer as prepared or proactive when it comes to winter weather. We had few problems with the gritting and clearance or roads when we first moved (we were very impressed), but it has definitely deteriorated in recent years, with school closures and bus route cancellations a frequent occurrence.
Have you observed the weather, climate, or natural environment at this place changing over time?
As mentioned above, longer, milder and stormier winters, with short, sharp spells of cold weather.
Have you done anything to prepare for or address climate and weather changes at this place?
We have installed a new, more energy efficient boiler, a wood-burning stove as a back-up, and have made improvements to the roof, including nailing down every tile. We would have liked to have installed a renewable heating system, but the expense was prohibitive, and it would have required us to move out of our home whilst all the floors were lifted and underfloor heating was installed.
*Originally submitted to the Highland Weather & Climate Story Map Commonplace Platform on 17 April 2023.
