Overview
Ronay Island is a long-term regeneration and rewilding project in the Hebrides, focused on restoring natural ecosystems while creating a sustainable future for the island.
With no existing website and only a very early-stage brand, I worked with Caitlin at The Carlowrie Group to define the digital presence from the ground up, shaping the content strategy, structure, and ultimately designing and building the site.
The Challenge
At the outset, there was no established digital platform and only a minimal brand identity. The project itself is complex and evolving, spanning environmental, commercial, and long-term development goals.
The challenge was to create a clear, credible introduction to Ronay Island that could communicate ambition without overstatement, and provide enough structure to explain the vision while remaining flexible as the project develops.
Approach
I worked closely with Caitlin to define both the content and the shape of the site from first principles.
Content Strategy & Structure
With no existing framework to work from, the starting point was establishing what content should exist at all. We focused on identifying the core narratives: the vision for the island, the principles behind the rewilding approach, and the long-term intent of the project.
From there, I developed a clear and simple information architecture designed to introduce the project in a way that feels coherent and accessible, while allowing space for future expansion.
Design & Build
I designed and built the site end-to-end using Squarespace.
The interface is intentionally restrained, allowing the content and subject matter to lead while establishing a sense of credibility and clarity. Given the early-stage brand, the focus was on pacing, readability, and creating a structure that can scale over time without becoming complex.
Outcome
The result is a clear and considered digital foundation for Ronay Island, providing a credible introduction to the project and its ambitions.
It establishes a platform that can evolve alongside the development itself, supporting future storytelling, updates, and expansion without requiring fundamental rework.
Credits
Client: Ronay Island / The Carlowrie Group
Strategy, UX, Design & Build: Colin Smith, Cairn Digital