Author: Luise Koeppen (James Hutton Institute)
On 21 to 23 October 21-23, GRANULAR partners from the James Hutton Institute welcomed participants from across Europe to Aberdeenshire for a three-day cross-visit exploring rural diversity, sustainability, and innovation.
The visit began at the 6th European Rural Parliament in Inverurie, where partners co-hosted a workshop on Rural Typologies. With participants from 12 countries, the session featured presentations from Dr. Elin Slätmo (Nordregio), Dr. Jon Hopkins (James Hutton Institute), and Orsolya Frizon Somogyi (European Commission, DG AGRI), followed by a roundtable discussion with Prof. David Miller on how current typologies can better reflect the realities of rural life across Europe.
Discussions during the workshop also raised key questions about the relationship between rural and regional policy, and how existing frameworks often overlook the specific needs of rural areas. Participants highlighted that current typologies are often too general to capture the diversity and complexity of rural territories across Europe.
A recurring theme was the importance of better coordination and use of human resources across different levels of government – from local to EU institutions – to design and implement policies that reflect the unique characteristics and needs of each region.
Day two brought participants to Glensaugh Farm, the James Hutton Institute’s flagship research site for nature-friendly and climate-smart farming. Visitors learned about land use management, sensor networks, and sustainability practices before touring the Fettercairn Distillery to see how local industries are embracing greener and more sustainable production. The day concluded with cultural immersion at the European Rural Parliament’s evening session and a traditional Scottish Ceilidh dance.
On the final day, the group visited Stonehaven, where they discussed coastal challenges and community resilience, followed by a demonstration of digital twin mapping at the James Hutton Institute’s new visualisation suite.
Feedback from participants praised the combination of European, national, and local perspectives. The visit fostered new collaborations, insights into rural typologies, and inspiration for future rural development initiatives.
More information about the GRANULAR Scottish Living Lab is available on the GRANULAR website.
