There was a certain magic in the idea that we might expand our community to include Erraid. The seed had been planted in the excitement of the Van der Sluis family about their purchase of the island in 1977, and the adventurous character of two Dutch community members, friends of the Van der Sluis family.

Being in the right place, at the right time, with the right people ignited the spark that led to our being invited to become the island’s custodians. That spark held within it the potential for a great relationship between the Dutch family and the Foundation, and this in turn created a wonderful opportunity for the flowering of Erraid. The seed and the spark were nurtured in the fertile ground of this relationship which was full of youthful enthusiasm, generous hearts, and an overflowing of joy that comes from a win-win relationship.

All this was necessary to see us through the first winter. In February 1978 Jonathan Caddy, Joanna Cook and I arrived in a snowstorm to set up home in houses that were sparsely equipped even for summer holiday lets. All the heating came from a single Rayburn that had a hot water tank bolted onto its side.

Our arrival and settling in was enormously helped by Hugh Cameron, our neighbouring crofter on Mull and the island’s shepherd, and also by Nigel and Andy who had just completed building a reservoir behind the houses. It was wonderful to be welcomed into a crofting community, and I remember Hugh’s happiness at seeing the island’s lights on in winter, a sure sign that a full life was returning to the island.

Angus Marland