Sustainability Footprints in SMEs: Strategy and Case Studies for Entrepreneurs and Small Business

8The Log House People: Low-Carbon Construction

8.1 Introduction

The Log House People Ltd. is a British civil engineering company specializing in the supply and construction of log houses for personal or commercial purposes [1]. Established in 2008 by Hugh Gourlay and his father, Frank Gourlay, a former Chairman of the Dumfries and Galloway Tourist Board, The Log House People combines a family interest in the building of log homes with a concern for the environment [1, 2]. The company is managed from a rented office in Edinburgh and a home office located in Sandyhills, Dumfriesshire, that is staffed by two full-time employees with additional staff being hired on a project basis [3]. The seeds of this interest in log home construction began with Frank Gourlay who has constructed log homes since 1970 such as the holiday chalets at the Barend Holiday Village, which consists of 78 log homes, as well as 8 log homes in Riverview, Dumfriesshire, with subsequent investments in a Ski company, expanding his knowledge in the building of log homes [1]. Leveraging his understanding of the local tourist sector, he identified that there was a need for larger holiday homes and so, in partnership with his son, began importing log homes from North America [1].

Hugh Gourlay has spent most of his formative years living in log homes and was a witness to the development of the Barend Holiday Village [1]. Although educated as a product designer, Hugh Gourlay wanted to combine his interest for the ...