Northmavine forms the northerly part of the Shetland Mainland beyond the narrow isthmus of Mavis Grind, with spectacular coastal and inland scenery, wildlife, crafts, great food and drink, and most importantly welcoming people.
It is also one of the most vibrant, hard-working communities in the isles.
Home to fishing, aquaculture, crofting, tourism and, of course, the aert-kent, hurricane-proof Polycrub, the undercover grow-tunnel designed and produced by social enterprise Nortenergy, a subsidiary of NCDC.
In addition to the thriving Polycrub business, NCDC is also the driving force behind the community-owned Hillswick Shop and the Bruckland SCRAN Recycling facility.
Over the years, they have successfully supported and delivered a wide portfolio of projects, including wind and solar energy projects, rural housing, guidebooks, the Chelsea Flower Show Shetland Crofthouse Garden’s relocation to North Roe, toilet and tourist facilities at the Collafirth Pier, the legendary Glusstonberry Festival – the list goes on.
In 2008/9 NCDC undertook a project to increase fruit and veg growing in Northmavine, building 12 large grow-tunnels across the community and enabling over 50 people to grow a wide range of produce undercover.
This project also brought the world the original structure that would become the Polycrub, which is now a registered trademark.
All profits from Polycrub production are ploughed back into the community.
In 2021, NCDC returned to the theme of local food production, and is now in Phase 2 of Growing Local Northmavine, which sees NCDC growing seasonal fruit and veg for sale in the local community shops and progressing a community composting project using food and garden waste from local households, all with the aim of increasing the availability of fresh produce for Northmavine folk.
