In 2022 my friend Marcus invited me to recall my time living on Erraid from 1981-83. You can listen to the full conversation in the videos below.

My time living on the Isle of Erraid, for about two years, was a unique experience. Erraid is a small, rugged island off the Isle of Mull, part of the Inner Hebrides, and it is a world apart.

We were a satellite community of the Findhorn Foundation, hosting guests for week-long stays. Life was basic. We lived in a row of granite cottages, originally built as a shore station for lighthouse keepers. We had “long drop” toilets, and it was a far cry from modern conveniences.

Daily life was a mix of communal living and hard work. We tended sheep, which involved rounding them up across the rocky terrain and shearing them on Mull. I even learned to milk cows, which was a far cry from my computer background. We also fished for salmon and lobsters, having the legal rights to do so, unlike some locals.

We grew what we could in gardens protected by low walls against the constant wind, using tons of seaweed as fertiliser. We had cows for milk, and we made butter and cheese.

Entertainment was simple: sing-alongs, storytelling, and the occasional guitar session. We had no television.

Getting supplies was an adventure. We’d drive across Mull then get the ferry to Oban for groceries, rushing to catch the ferry back. We’d call the Foundation for larger supplies, like straw bales for the cows.

Schooling for the children meant daily boat trips to Mull, and families often left when their kids reached secondary school age as they had to travel to the mainland to go to school.

We had a focaliser, like at the Foundation, and managed ourselves. We had skilled individuals among us: gardeners, cooks, and healers. Janet, who I hauled wood with, was a gifted healer, and locals often sought her help. Local fishermen would come to her for help, even though they thought she was a bit strange. She had a real gift, and I even learned some healing from her.

We were isolated, but not entirely cut off. We’d take trips to Oban, and supplies came from Findhorn. It was a rugged life, but it had its own kind of magic.

We didn’t have much contact with the Iona Community. They kept to themselves, and we were focused on our own lives. We didn’t go over to Iona for socialising. I think I’d like to visit Iona again someday. It’s a beautiful, sophisticated island. Erraid, on the other hand, was rough and ready. But when you’re younger, that kind of rugged life can be a great adventure.

We weren’t the only ones living on Erraid. There was another house on the island, about half a mile away, owned by an elderly English lady. Her children and grandchildren live there now. She was a real character, loved her whiskey and cigarettes, and was always up for a card game. We were friendly with her and would give her a ride across the water if she needed it.

Our main contact with the locals was Hughie, the shepherd on Mull. I remember when we were rounding up sheep, we were entitled to a couple for ourselves. Because it was so remote, we couldn’t take them to a proper slaughterhouse, so a local farmer took care of it for us.

Despite being on a remote island, we were pretty self-sufficient. We grew our own food, cooked our own meals, and could always call the Foundation for supplies. We had some great members and some of them were great cooks, like Loren Stewart, Mari Hollander, Charles Petersen, Clare Chitty, and John Lowe.

Click here to read my story about the Erraid/Iona Run – the bus run taking guests and goods back and forth from the Findhorn Foundation to the Westcoast.

***

I want to thank Marcus Lindner for interviewing me in 2022. This allowed me to reflect on the many aspects of my almost 50 years in the community. I have been in many different positions in the Findhorn Foundation, often in leadership roles. We have collated four posts from those interviews:

And last but not least, you can see me in action in my last role, as the focaliser of the Visitor Centre. Click here for recordings of a Tour of the Park I gave in 2008.

***

Photo Credit: Erraid village and Mull beyond, © Findhorn Foundation