I moved to Findhorn in 1981 with my then wife Diana. We brought up four children across the road from the Park and that naturally took a lot of our focus. There was a feeling of separation (through choice) from the Foundation, but I also felt that living in Bay Cottage was a barrier as people didn’t come over so frequently, including other families to play with our children. The children experienced frictions at school because of where they lived. There was also a tension between the local community and the Foundation. The editor of the local paper was anti-Foundation and would rake up stories. However, as I was seen as outside the Foundation, I found the paper very helpful in spreading news about my woodwork.

I was involved in setting up the Steiner School with a group of community parents and two of our children attended it. They now have a much less conventional view of life than our other children.

My daughter Sara is still here in Findhorn, the other children deciding to leave to further their careers.

Interviewed by Liz Wigglesworth