Overview of a new initiative to help a Scottish rural community to become more sustainable, through the application of digital technology with community cooperation.

1. Towards a more sustainable future
for Arran
Arran Digital Blacksmith
19th January 2022

2. Introductions
• Ronald Mosselmann is a developer of websites and apps and involved in
several innovative projects which have to do with connectivity, accessibility
and inclusion.
• As a member of a cooperative, Ronald has years of experience working
with and for social enterprises, government organisations. Ronald has been
always interested in connecting people and organisations in a way that
creates positive impact for everyone.”
Andrew Stirling has a Communications background, having started with
BBC R&D working on new programme production technology.
• More recently he has focussed on enhancing connectivity and making
more available and affordable – for people and things
• He has contributed to smart community initiatives – from cities (such as
Glasgow) to villages.

3. Digital
Blacksmith -
objectives
How?
By fostering the
development and
application of digital skills
Supporting partner
organisations in innovation
using digital technologies
To assist in securing a
sustainable future for Arran

4. Arran - a case in point
Look at DiscoverArran.com and Visitarran.com

5. What scenarios could we imagine for Arran’s
future?
• Scenarios
• Business as usual – with small increments over the years
• Depopulation by degrees …
• Mixing modern and traditional industries to yield a sustainable, more resilient
and inclusive economy
• …..

6. What are the crucial ingredients?
• Connectivity – appropriate to services and applications
• Data harvesting, management and sharing infrastructure
• Skills to exploit data and install/maintain/operate the infrastructure
Connectivity Security
Data harvest Application
Skills &
Infrastructure

7. Decent connectivity is essential
• For broadband to homes, offices, schools …
• For major services, needing to monitor remote locations – health +
care , water, electricity
• Within premises ..

8. Connectivity – mixed + improving

9. You also need skills ….
Primary
Secondary
University /
College
Library
Internet
Intranet
U3A
etc.
• Data analysis
• Security
• Privacy
• Governance
• Connectivity Literacy

10. Data will be key
Meet Arran’s digital twin
Sample Footer Text 2/13/22 10
Metaverse ready?

11. There’s a
mountain of
data that
could be
accumulated
• Traffic –road/path usage, e.g. live and
accumulated data
• Origins of visitors / returning residents
• Health stats
• Shop/Café occupation levels, queue lengths
• Car park occupancy
• Road conditions
• Travel options – bikes, buses, ferry

12. Data sharing platform – our vision
Arran Data
Open
Private
Connectivity
Fixed
Mobile
Devices
Software
Tools
Library?

13. Arran Digital Hub – our vision
• A hub would provide a focus for
digital support operations –
housing equipment and people
with skills
• It could host training workshops
and project sessions
Central
Hub
Village
clinics

14. Role models? Arranmore
100% Digital Leeds
Orkney
Smart
Rural
Rural
5G Hub

15. Application areas
www.digitalblacksmith.org

16. Which should be the priority?
• Transport / Travel?
• Food/Drink production?
• Tourism?
• Health/care?
• ….
We might consider an app to facilitate data
gathering / analysis, empowering employees,
residents and visitors – perhaps through an app.
Ferry
example

17. Digital Blacksmith Formation stages
Establish local
requirements
& resources
Propose
vehicle
Recruit partners/
collaborators
Commence first project
To Date H1 2021
Innovation
evenings
Launch
event

18. Why a legal
structure?
• MoU
• Cooperative
• Social Enterprise
• Community Interest
Company
• Charity
• Private Limited Company
• Physical Hub
• Ability to employ skilled
people, trainees/interns…
• Processes to ensure
quality/protection of clients
How do the
partners want
to collaborate?
How will client needs
be met safely and
effectively?
What resources need
to be dedicated?
What business
model
What resources need
to be dedicated?
What resources need
to be dedicated?

19. What’s the
business
model
Payment
for service
Public
funding
Piggy-backing
on established
operation
‘Follow the talent’
Comms
Service
Provider
New business
e.g
Council IT

20. Next steps …
• We are reaching out to potential supporters and collaborators
• Work on the first chosen application / projects … scoping, definition
etc.

21. Thank you
Our email addresses:
• Ronald@digitalblacksmith.org
• Andrew@digitalblacksmith.org

22. Appendix

23. References
• EU Digital Inclusion mapping project - https://medici-project.eu/
•

24. Example - 100% Digital Leeds
• Leeds has trained 1000 digital champions to reach out to those in
need, across the city
• Use of Alexa speaker helped with dementia care
• Full report – www.digitalinclusionleeds.com
• Training tools/resources are here