Tunnel Tales
Growing local food resilience
Our land and seascapes are increasingly dotted with wind turbines and solar panels—symbols of a greener future and stronger local energy resilience. But how can we create a similarly visible shift toward a more local and resilient food system—one where we grow more of what we eat and eat more of what we grow, close to home?
Community-managed tunnels* offer a unique opportunity to make the most of our natural water supply and long summer daylight hours, helping us grow crops we currently rely on importing—often at a significant environmental cost.
While tunnel growing isn’t the only answer to building food resilience and local self-sufficiency, it’s a great start. It’s visible, engaging, and brings people together. When we recognize and support the role that community-led initiatives play in strengthening our food systems, tunnel growing becomes an essential part of that positive change.
*This could be any form of protected growing tunnel, polytunnel, polycrub, or keder house.
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From ‘gardening’ to horticulture
Growing under cover also helps informal growing groups step up from ‘gardening’ to ‘horticulture,’ enabling year-round production. Through hands-on participation, we gain valuable insights—learning how to be more climate-resilient, manage water efficiently, and maximize our extended daylight growing hours. Tunnels can serve as hubs for collective effort, cultural exchange, or simply as spaces to stay active, dry, and connected to both nature and each other through the seasons.
Whatever the focus, one thing is clear: we need more of it. Growing food locally is a crucial step toward a more secure, resilient food system, and tunnel growing is a fantastic place to start.
Tales from across Scotland
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 and let’s work on your tunnel tale.


Learn from others
- Folk growing up and down the country have experience and knowledge to share. Compare tunnel types and sizes, explore water catchment systems, maximise your growing layout ? We can support you to find groups to visit through the Community Learning Exchange.

Planning need to knows
Applying for planning permission can be a duanting task. We guide you through it with this factsheet.

Fairlie growing tips
Fairlie Organic Growers share their top growing tips for anyone just starting out
Resources
- Getting started, experienced growers share their expertise.