Take a walk around The Park

Whether it’s history, nature or some remarkable buildings, there’s a lot to see on a wander around The Park’s 15 acres. A guidebook is available from the Phoenix Shop near the entrance to The Park, or email Enquiries to arrange a guide who’ll share stories on how the community began and developed and take you to places of interest.

Aerial drone view of the Field of Dreams, part of the Findhorn Ecovillage

You may want to look out for…

  • The Original Caravan and Garden, an area of great energy where the Findhorn Foundation Community was born.
  • The site of the former Community Centre, which was destroyed by fire in April 2021. It’s been turned into a garden of contemplation while plans for rebuilding the Community Centre are unfolding.
  • The Visitor Centre is based in the little white historical building which you’ll find on the left hand side when you enter The Park Ecovillage – Findhorn. Since 2022 now run by the New Findhorn Association, and opening hours depend on the season – you can find the current opening times here. Visitor Centre opening times 11-2pm. MAY-JUNE: Fri-Sat-Sun-Mon-Wed. Guided Community tours Fri – Sat – Sun – Mon 2pm £10 (children free). JULY-AUG-SEPT Every day 11-2pm. Guided Community Tours, every day except Tue and Thu. Fee £10 (children free). OCT Fri – Sat – Sun – Mon 12-2pm, guided Community tours Fri – Sat – Sun – Mon 2pm £10 (children free) For visiting the The Park -Ecovillage and/or for booking a guided tour: [email protected]
  • A tour of the Hinterland – the woods adjacent to The Park (replaces The Park tour) the 1st and 3rd Friday of the month, fee by donation. The tour also leaves from outside the Visitors Centre at 2pm.
  • Find your Angel quality in the Quiet Garden. Look out for the circle of small stones lining the path – each has an Angel quality painted underneath.

Visitor Guide booklet (incl. map & self-guided tour) available from the Visitor Centre and Phoenix shop.

The Nature Sanctuary in the Quiet Garden, a place for meditation, singing and small meetings.
The Nature Sanctuary, a magical place for quiet contemplation, meditation and singing in the community at Findhorn.

Be sure not to miss ...

  • The Nature Sanctuary, with its beautiful stonework – yes it could come out of Lord of the Rings!
  • The angel-wing doors, stunning glass and stonework of the Universal Hall, which hosts an endless variety of shows.
  • Enjoy a coffee or a vegetarian meal at the Phoenix Cafe …
  • … and look out for the huge mosaic phoenix spreading its wings around the building.
  • The outdoor Singing Chamber near the Universal Hall – go inside and try the acoustics.

 

  • There’s a diversity of eco housing, from the newest builds in East, West and North Whins, to the famous whisky barrel homes near Bag End, made from recycled whisky barrels.
  • Watch the world go by from the Village Green – and grab a game of volley ball while you’re there.
  • Visit the two potteries in The Park, one on Pineridge and the second in the Whins.
Aerial view of the whisky barrel houses up at Pineridge, built in the 1980s as part of the Findhorn Ecovillage
  • The Moray Art Centre hosts regular exhibitions and a variety of classes.
  • Stroll through peaceful clearing of the Green Burial Ground in Wilkies Wood.
  • The three wind turbines, averaged over the year, supply 100% of The Park’s energy.
  • Cullerne Gardens, with its organic vegetable gardens and tunnels, supplies fresh goods for the community as well as local shops and organisations.

 

Walks in nature

Co-creation with the intelligence of nature is one of the Community’s core spiritual practices, and we’re blessed to be in an area of immense natural beauty.

Walks on the beach and in the woods around The Park offer an opportunity to deepen your connection with nature. Enjoy the birdlife and tidal rhythms of Findhorn Bay as the Findhorn River estuary meets the sea.

Pine trees at Wilkies Wood in Pineridge with orange sun behind

The Findhorn Hinterland Trust looks after the wild land between The Park and the dunes on the way to the beach. Join one of their regular nature walks, get stuck in with a work party in the Edible Forest, or hire one of their expert guides for a fascinating exploration – from the soaring trees to the intricate lichens and tiny fungi, with red squirrels and insects along the way.

The Trust also manages camping pods in the woods, with wild camping retreats offered in the summer.

What’s on in the community

The New Findhorn Association updates a weekly guide to what’s on – from sacred dance and Taize singing to yoga and visiting speakers.

The Rainbow Bridge is the community’s weekly magazine, available online or in print from the Phoenix Shop. Aside from what’s on each week, it’s a good place to find healing practitioners in the area, as well as accommodation. (The notice board at the Phoenix Shop is another good place for that!)

People outside holding hands at an attunement in The Park

You may also want to join some of the regular community happenings*

  • Meditation every weekday morning at 8:35am. Usually in the Singing Chamber in summer and the Nature Sanctuary in winter.
  • Taize singing in the Singing Chamber or Nature Sanctuary, Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 8am, and on Sundays in the Universal Hall at 9.30am.

* Times and venues are subject to change depending on weather, season and Covid restrictions.

 

Findhorn Beach at sunset with WWII blocks in foreground

Further afield

The historic village of Findhorn is a mile down the road, which has beautiful old stone quays and buildings, a heritage centre and icehouse, three pub restaurants and a bake house not to be missed,

Take a contemplative walk along Findhorn’s stunning beach – a TripAdvisor Travellers Choice winner in 2022 – to Roseisle and Burghead, which you’ll have pretty much to yourself, except for a wealth of seabirds and maybe seals and dolphins as well.

(Allow about two hours for the walk to Burghead. This is part of the Moray Coastal Trail.)

 

Findhorn River at Randolph's Leap near Logie Steading covered in snow and ice
Findhorn River at Randolph's Leap near Logie Steading covered in snow and ice.

There are beautiful woodland walks along the Findhorn River – Randolph’s Leap is a short drive away and a popular place to start.

The outdoor adventure hub of Aviemore and the majestic mountains of the Cairngorms National Park are about an hour and a half by car.

 

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