Maintaining the Spirit of Traigh Bhan
written by Roger and Katherine Collis
The retreat house Traigh Bhan on the Isle of Iona on a winter’s day
In May of this year, Findhorn Foundation Trust trustees approached us to ask if we could help to explore options for the future of the Foundation’s beloved retreat house on Iona, Traigh Bhan, as the Trust continues to wind down and distribute its assets. Trustees asked if we could explore options which would allow Traigh Bhan to continue as a centre which maintains the spiritual work of the Foundation.
Our connection to Traigh Bhan goes back to the early 1970’s, even before it was gifted to the Foundation, and we felt called to help attune to the next steps for this important and sacred place.
From both inner guidance and the collective insights gathered from connecting with over 100 people who have a connection to Iona, a strong consensus has formed: to establish a new, independent charity—one that carries Traigh Bhan’s spirit forward while honoring all that has gone before.
Roger & Katherine Collis outside Traigh Bhan in 1986
We plan to apply for charitable status later this year, and intend that this charity will uphold the bequest of Jessica Ferreira, who gifted Traigh Bhan to the Foundation in 1972, ensuring the Sanctuary remains open to all by:
Advancing understanding and practice of religion and spirituality through teachings, retreats, courses, and related educational programmes that explore spiritual growth, interfaith dialogue, inter-spiritual practice, and the relationship between faith, personal well-being, community life, and care for the Earth;
Operating and maintaining Traigh Bhan Iona, a spiritually oriented retreat centre and sanctuary on the Isle of Iona, as a place of spiritual retreat, reflection, and contemplation, affirming the principle that the Earth is sacred and all life is interdependent;
Providing opportunities for learning, reflection, and community participation open to all people, regardless of faith, belief, culture, or background, to promote inclusion, equality, and mutual understanding within a spiritual and religious context;
Undertaking related activities in Scotland and elsewhere, including online programmes and partnerships, which further these charitable purposes.
Many people have expressed a wish to remain connected in a variety of ways, including inwardly holding the steps forward. We will be sending email updates and organise occasional online meetings – if you would like to stay connected, please sign up to our Traigh Bhan Iona mailing list:
Traigh Bhan’s future is not being written by any one person, but by a community of friends united in spirit and service. Together, we are ensuring that this Sanctuary—so long a beacon of light and renewal—continues to shine for generations to come, and that Traigh Bhan remains a spiritual home to many.
Traigh Bhan is presently undergoing maintenance and is temporarily closed to guests. During this time, we are reviewing renovation needs and developing budgets to ensure its long-term care and sustainability. We’ll share updates on its reopening as soon as they’re available.
About Roger and Katherine Collis
Katherine and Roger Collis
Roger & Katherine Collis were Findhorn Community members in the early 1970’s and were instrumental in the gifting of Traigh Bhan to the Foundation in 1972. Since leaving the Community in 1973, they have maintained a strong connection with the Foundation and Community, including Roger serving as a Foundation trustee from 2008 until 2022 and Katherine leading Findhorn Foundation retreats on Iona throughout the 1990’s. Katherine was also instrumental in the creation of the Foundation’s popular “Spirit of Iona” online course which ran in 2022/23.
Read more about Traigh Bhan here
Katherine Collis: an Iona Love Story
Katherine and Roger Collis
“It was not until resting in the silence of the Traigh Bhan sanctuary that I understood what Iona signified.” – Katherine Collis talks about falling in love – with the Isle of Iona, the future husband who guided her there, and with the Findhorn community. Read more…
David Spangler: The Presence of Traigh Bhan’s Sanctuary
Inside Traigh Bhan’s Sanctuary
“Traigh Bhan has been an outer portal through which this inner sanctuary can be known.” David Spangler shares about the presence of the sanctuary at the Findhorn Foundation’s retreat house Traigh Bhan on the sacred Isle of Iona. Read more…
