Laura* is a social tenant in a small rural village in the Highlands and struggles to stay warm in her home.
Her home is draughty, and her underlying health conditions – including asthma and fibromyalgia – make her particularly vulnerable to the cold.
Although her oil boiler was recently upgraded, Laura was left without heating for three weeks while waiting for the installation. During a period of power cuts, her health deteriorated and she was admitted to hospital with pneumonia.
The situation is compounded by wider vulnerability in the household. Her elderly mother, who also has health conditions, is currently staying with her.
Even outside the winter months, Laura relies on oil for hot water. The cost of heating oil has risen sharply – her latest tank refill was around £900, compared to roughly £400 previously. Prices are highly volatile, making it difficult to budget and increasing financial pressure.
With support from a Community Energy Officer on behalf of the Highlands Energy Community Partnership, Laura received £300 from the Scottish Government’s Emergency Heating Fund. Given the risks during power cuts, the Community Energy Officer ensured Laura was registered on the Priority Services Register.
The Community Energy Officer also provided tailored advice on heating and hot water use, including how to use controls more effectively, and referred Laura to the charity LEAP for draught-proofing measures. The Community Energy Officer is now liaising with Laura’s landlord to explore further improvements to reduce heat loss, oil use and costs.
This case reflects the findings of Changeworks’ A Perfect Storm: 2026 Update on Fuel Poverty in Rural Scotland report, highlighting the disproportionate impact of high energy costs and energy-inefficient homes on households in the Highlands.
*Name has been anonymised