Tilley the Turbine

tilley the turbine
Tilley Mint and Nettle Infusion with Tilley the turbine in the background

Tilley lamps once powered island homes. Now Tilley the turbine powers community projects in Tiree. She was also the inspiration for the Tilley Mint and Nettle Herbal Infusion.

Initiated, implemented and managed by Tiree Renewable Energy Limited, TIlley has become a much loved and recognisable member of the Tiree Community.

She uses Tiree’s almost constant fresh breeze to generate funds which power the island “Windfall Fund”. That fund supports a huge range of community projects and businesses.

Tilley is a 900kw Enercon E44 wind turbine installed on the Ruaig Sliabh at the east of Tiree.

As an example of her capabilites, in October 2019, she generated enough to electricity to supply 89 average UK homes for a whole year.

Because I can see her easily from my house, I rely on Tilley to tell me at a glance which way the wind is blowing!

Tilley the turbine sits on a fairly damp bit of ground which is an ideal spot for wild mint. Wild mint is found all over Tiree. Therefore, whilst we don’t use it in the tea, the scent was one of the inspirations for the blend. Combined with the stiff breeze Tiree is famous for, and the abundance of nettles, Tilley the Tea was born!


Tags:

  • Tiree tea logo

    One experiment at a time – the story of Tiree Tea so far…

    If you had asked me a decade ago whether I would be growing Tiree Tea into a business, I would have thought you were mad!…

  • Machair Herbal infusion - inspired by the Great Yellow Bumble Bee

    Minty, flowery and spicy – our trio of herbal blends

    Herbal teas and herbal infusions are increasingly popular. Because they are caffeine free, they are a great choice at any time of the day or…

  • spiced chilli tea from tiree tea

    Spiced tea – warm up from the inside out!

    Our spiced tea, Ferry Berry Herbal Infusion, started out as a limited edition Christmas blend in 2020. We have added it into the main range…

  • Tilley peppermint and nettle tea from Tiree Tea

    The best peppermint and nettle tea might be from Tiree!

    The consensus among Tiree Tea drinkers seems to be that Tilley Mint and Nettle Herbal Infusion from Tiree Tea is the best peppermint and nettle…

  • Rhoda kneeling in the Machair flowers in Tiree

    Machair Flowers and the Great Yellow Bumblebee!

    Often mis-pronounced by celebrities, the pronounciation of machair (the “ch” is hard, like in “loch”) is a crucial part of the ecosystem across the Hebrides.…