Island Update - Erraid and Iona
Written by Britta Schmitz, Elizabeth Montgomery and Andrew Powell
When the Erraid team and Findhorn Foundation team meet on the island. An impromptu meeting in front of the old lighthouse keepers’ cottages our community lives in. From left to right Kegan, Elizabeth, Ash, Magnus, and Terry.
Dear friends,
Wow, finally it is April and our island retreats and experiences are starting. A lot has happened for us over the last months. Andrew and Elizabeth have been out on Erraid and Iona during wintertime and have been busy preparing for the new season with our team of volunteers. In the end of March our whole core team joined them on Erraid to support our community and especially the organic food growing gardens. Time flew as we were having fun and before we knew it our new season had started with our first ‘Spirit of Iona’ week of the year that happened this week on Iona. I asked Andrew and Elizabeth to tell you a little bit about what they have been up to to get the Isles of Erraid and Iona on the beautiful west coast of Scotland ready for you.
Andrew Powell, our Education Director, has been working on Erraid since February. He joined our community on the island to support them in preparing the island for the season. Whilst out there he has also been in constant communication with his team at Findhorn. Especially with Kate and Gabi who are in contact with our 2025 participants and Fi who is organising our group of facilitators for the island experiences. All the while he is chopping wood, getting seaweed for the gardens, cooking community meals, meditating, walking the island, and basically joining in everything you do when on Erraid, whilst envisioning future Findhorn Foundation Experiences …
Elizabeth, who joined the Findhorn Foundation SCIO core team on Erraid.
We are very happy to announce that Elizabeth Montgomery, who has been part of the Erraid community for almost two years, is now part of our SCIO core team. We are delighted that she took on the role of Iona and Erraid Lead and that we have her with us in our weekly meetings now. She keeps us updated on the resident island community as they are getting ready to welcome more volunteers and participants. It was great to be with her and the whole group of gardeners from near and far during our Springtime Garden Week.
Hear from Andrew and Elizabeth about their recent island experiences…
Andrew
Spring Has Sprung! The vibrant pulse of spring is stirring once more – and this year, it feels especially alive. As if overnight, the long hush of winter loosened its hold, and now the land is humming with the rhythm of renewal.
On Iona and Erraid, the spirit of rebirth is not just a metaphor – it’s tangible. We are breathing life back into these sacred island homes, honouring the old bones while welcoming the new stories waiting to unfold. Traigh Bhan, our retreat house on Iona, is receiving some gentle care, making space for those pilgrims and seekers who will find their way to her threshold in the seasons to come.
Traigh Bhan in summertime.
Of course, the path of transformation is rarely tidy. In true island fashion, our beloved cows decided to host their own spring retreat – right in the garden! Their muddy enthusiasm has given us an unexpected canvas, and so we begin dreaming a new garden into being, one that will slowly unfold throughout 2025 and 2026. The cows, now back where they belong, still come each morning for their head rubs and quiet moments – a grounding reminder of the beauty in shared presence.
Andrew and the cows at Traigh Bhan.
Meanwhile, we are weaving the framework that will hold this year’s retreats and offerings, and are delighted to see a new team of facilitators stepping into the circle. Their energy, vision, and open hearts are already bringing fresh life to the work. And a shout out to the steadfast hub of Fi, Gabi, and Kate for their creative energy and heartfelt holding.
As Traigh Bhan and Erraid respond to the returning sun and the call of the spring tides, the land itself seems to whisper: change is here. Shoots of new growth are reaching up, inviting us to walk gently, co-create joyfully, and trust in the unfolding promise of brighter days.
Andrew lovingly provides a brush for the cow’s head rubs at our retreat house Traigh Bhan.
Elizabeth
In my new role as Iona and Erraid Lead, most of my time is spent doing the administration duties to run the community and our volunteer programme. We’ve been reviewing our documentation, processes, and strengthening our offerings over the past six months, and of course the recent call for volunteers has been a big piece to process. We have some wonderful applicants and some are booking in to come and visit, others we’re keeping on file to reach out to again soon as we are looking forward to welcoming short and long term volunteers all through the year.
Elizabeth working in the old lighthouse keeper’s cottage she calls her home. A place where the old and the new meet.
Things are evolving and unfolding gradually and I enjoy things most when I carve out time to be in the wood shed, garden, involved in activities with the community, and time in nature. Paying invoices, doing the cash reconciliation, organising the volunteers and logistics, and answering the many questions which come my way is also an important part of island life. Things flow best when I find a balance between responsibilities and rest.
Elizabeth in Erraid’s gardens.
On a recent day off I went to a woodworking workshop for a day of learning how to do joints and then I helped to create an honesty box for the Ross of Mull Community Garden in Bunessan. I loved it so much I got myself a spoon whittling kit! I also enjoy dipping in the clear turquoise waters, walking to my favourite spots on Erraid, Mull, and Iona, drumming, doodling, singing, and sitting by the fire.
