Historic Preservation Meets Renewable Innovation
At Yarrow Energy, we thrive on projects that push us to combine technical precision with genuine care — especially when it comes to protecting Scotland’s cultural and historical landmarks. One of our proudest achievements to date was our work with the Tall Ship Glenlee, where we designed and installed a bespoke renewable heating solution to support this iconic vessel for generations to come.
The Glenlee, moored on Glasgow’s River Clyde, is one of the last remaining windjammers built in the 19th century. With thousands of visitors every year, maintaining a welcoming and comfortable environment onboard is crucial — but doing so without compromising the ship’s historic integrity posed a unique set of challenges. That’s where Yarrow Energy stepped in.
A Heating System Built For A Floating Museum
Heating a vessel like the Glenlee is very different from heating a modern building. Materials behave differently, internal spaces are restricted, and modern equipment must be installed with minimal impact on the original structure.
After carefully assessing the ship’s layout, energy requirements, and heritage constraints, we specified the installation of two Samsung air source heat pumps — a solution that offers excellent energy efficiency, low operational noise, and reliable year-round performance.
The Samsung units were chosen not just for their technical capabilities but also for their compact footprint and installation flexibility, making them ideal for the sensitive and confined areas available onboard.
Our team designed a customised heating distribution system that would maximise comfort throughout key areas of the ship, supporting visitor facilities, exhibition spaces, and operational zones, without disrupting the historic character of the vessel.
Planning With Precision, Installing With Care
Working on the Glenlee required meticulous planning and a sensitive touch. The logistics alone demanded careful coordination — from equipment deliveries to the practicalities of moving heavy components within the ship’s limited access points.
Our engineers carried out all works with minimal disruption to the vessel’s daily operations and public accessibility. Each phase of the project was undertaken with full respect for the ship’s structure, ensuring that installation methods were fully reversible and did not damage or alter the historic fabric of the Glenlee.
Throughout the project, we maintained close communication with the custodians of the ship, providing detailed updates, ensuring transparency, and making sure every decision aligned with the long-term conservation goals for the Glenlee.
Once installed, the system was commissioned to Samsung’s best practice standards, ensuring that the new heating system was not just functional but optimised for efficiency and longevity.
Future-Proofing A Piece Of Glasgow’s History
Thanks to the new heating system, the Tall Ship Glenlee now benefits from:
- - Improved energy efficiency across visitor and operational spaces
- - Reduced carbon footprint, aligning with broader sustainability ambitions
- - Lower operating costs compared to traditional heating systems
- - Greater comfort for visitors, staff, and event guests
By choosing a renewable energy solution, the Glenlee’s management team has future-proofed the ship’s environmental performance — helping preserve this magnificent vessel for future generations to enjoy, while lowering its environmental impact today.
At Yarrow Energy, we are incredibly proud to have played a role in this landmark project. It showcases exactly what we stand for: technical excellence, respect for heritage, and a belief that sustainable technology can be seamlessly integrated into even the most challenging environments.