Our landscapes increasingly include wind turbines and solar panels as signifiers of a greener future and more local energy resilience. How can we signify and build a more visible, local, and resilient food future where we grow more of what we eat and eat more of what we grow close to where we live?   

Community-managed tunnels * offer multiple opportunities to take relative advantage of our natural water supply, and long summer daylight hours to grow some crops we are currently hooked on importing at a substantial environmental cost. 

Tunnel growing is not the only answer towards increased food resilience and more local models of self-sufficiency, yet it is a great, visible and engaging start. When we recognise and take more seriously the role community-led initiatives can and do play in growing a more resilient local food system, community tunnel growing plays an essential part in positive change. 

Growing under cover can move many informal growing groups into a different space – from ‘gardening’ to ‘horticulture,’ growing pretty much year-round. We learn so much by participating; we begin to see we can be more climate resilient, including how to manage our water where and when we want it and how we can maximise our extended daylight growing hours. Tunnels can become a focus for collective endeavour, cultural exchange, or simply somewhere to keep active, dry, and connected to each other and nature through the seasons. Whatever the focus, we urgently need more of it to grow our preparedness for an uncertain future and show how we can all play our part in an improved and more secure food system. Tunnel growing at a local level is a great place to start. 

Tunnel Tales brings stories from across Scotland to demonstrate what is possible and how communities benefit when people take collective action to grow together in this way.   We want to inspire and inform you of what is happening, possible and required regarding land access, planning, and cost. In some settings, it doesn’t seem possible to grow in a tunnel due to start-up costs, exposure to potential vandalism, or planning barriers; however, if you want to explore the potential of how a communal tunnel might be a viable opportunity in your community keep reading,  contact us at help@ and let’s work on your tunnel tale.  

*This could be any form of protected growing tunnel, polytunnel, polycrub, or keder house.