Passing on the Torch for Erraid
Written by Mark Anderson, Chair of Trustees
The Findhorn Foundation has been custodian to the island of Erraid on the west coast of Scotland since 1978, in partnership with the Van der Sluis family who bought the island in 1977. For nearly 50 years, we have worked together cultivating gardens and community, demonstrating a way of life which is both rich and simple, rooted in both earth and spirit. Thousands of people have been inspired by their experiences on Erraid during this time – including many of the Van der Sluis family.
Eileen Caddy visits Erraid in 1977 with (from left to right) Holger Welz, Jim and Jonathan Caddy, and Angel the goat
The time has now come for the Findhorn Foundation to release this custodianship, and to pass the torch to members of the Van der Sluis family. They will now take a more direct and active role in the daily activities on Erraid, while continuing with the same traditions and principles that the Findhorn Foundation has brought to Erraid life.
Members of the Van der Sluis family, led by Hester Kuypers – van der Sluis and Marianne van der Sluis, are in the process of registering a new charity which will continue the community and educational activities of Erraid. For a short transitional period while that charity is being set up, Erraid activities will continue under Findhorn Foundation SCIO, with Hester acting as general manager. Once the new charity is in place, all Erraid activities will transition out of Findhorn Foundation SCIO into this new charity.
This is not the end of the Findhorn – Erraid connection but rather an evolution, with the Erraid community now able to stand on its own. We expect the link between Erraid and Findhorn to remain strong and vibrant for many years to come.
I am grateful to the many people over the years who have helped to make Erraid what it is today and to the Van der Sluis family for their friendship and partnership with Findhorn across the generations.
Mark Anderson
Chair
Find out more on the new Erraid website:
