As the Chair of the Findhorn Hinterland Trust (FHT), I’m incredibly proud to share the journey of our new Sanctuary, which opened its doors on Easter Sunday, April 20, 2025. It’s a symbol of hope and renewal for our community at the Park Ecovillage Findhorn, and the FHT played a vital role every step of the way.
The devastating arson fire on April 12, 2021, destroyed our old Sanctuary, but it also spurred us to action. We embraced the philosophy of “never making a good catastrophe go to waste.” Our work on the Conservation Hub, completed in February 2022, gave us the confidence and skills to use roundwood in construction and connected us with local timber miller Ben Moore. This hard work even attracted crucial funding, enabling our deeper involvement in the Sanctuary project.
When Storm Arwen struck in November 2021, felling over a hundred trees in Wilkies Wood, we saw an opportunity. Our Land Manager, Kajedo, and I, with our trusty “wee grey Fergie tractor,” salvaged these trees. Those and the pine trees damaged by the Sanctuary fire now form part of the Sanctuary’s main beams, with others transformed into benches. It’s incredibly meaningful that two lengths from those very trees, planted by my father in the 1960s, are structural in the new Sanctuary.
Our contributions were diverse, from clearing the site and repurposing old office sheds into a charming shepherd’s hut, to visually outlining the new building’s dimensions with poles and ropes. We even unearthed a historic midden while digging foundations.
I personally took great satisfaction in landscaping the area, connecting with the land where I grew up. While some may have felt disconnected from the build, I’m immensely pleased with how FHT helped to physically and spiritually rebuild our community.
Please click here for the full article which has been published on the FHT website. There are lots more details and photographs! And why not take that opportunity to become a FHT member to support the good work the charity does and keep in touch with what is happening on the land – members receive our quarterly newsletter as well as news about the latest developments and other ways they can support.
Grew up here, studied Ecological Science, worked as primary school teacher most of my life; travelled widely; passionate about nature, community, sustainability. Father of Caitlin and Jay.
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