The Return to Traigh Bhan: A Journey of Awakening
Written by Andrew Powell
Andrew on his favourite seat holding his favourite stone at the beach in front of Traigh Bhan in the middle of a storm this November.
In the soft dawn, as the waves embraced Iona’s shore, the cottage of Traigh Bhan awaited. Silhouetted against the vast and unyielding sky, the house breathed in harmony with the island, its presence both ancient and renewed. It seemed to call to those who had come before, whispering stories of spirit and wonder, eager to welcome yet another era of sacred gatherings.
The house seemed patiently waiting on the shores of this incredibly beautiful and elemental land. Moving forward I became aware of the mystical energy of this place and the intricate tapestries woven somehow through land light, the deep deep channels of moving energy, and expansive ever changing skies that sang the glory of wild untamed magic. The fields are full of bejewelled crystal dew, reflecting through the lush green meadows all these astounding colours of sea and rock and sky.
Our retreat house Traigh Bhan seen from the north side on the island. The tower of the famous Iona Abbey can be seen behind the garden tree
The land held memories within each blade of grass and stone and, as I crossed the threshold, I felt a deep resonance – a knowing that Iona was not just a place but a living spirit, imbued with voices of the past, and the silent encouragement of nature’s guardians. Here earth, air, water, and fire danced in concert, blessing the ground upon which we would build once more.
Sometimes when the clouds are reflected in the water on the north beach of Iona, they look like angel wings
I recall standing at the little gate, greeting the house and the wild overgrown garden and I felt a sense of warmth and welcome. This is a home, not a cold empty building, and I was to spend some time living small and easing myself into the field. In those early days, as I and my coworkers began preparing for the reopening, each step was filled with reverence. I walked slowly through the rooms, touching the walls, listening to the silent echoes of prayers, laughter, and contemplative silences that had once filled the space. It felt as though the house was eager to awaken, to shake off the stillness and come alive again.
Traigh Bhan’s wild garden upon Andrew’s arrival
The spirit of Traigh Bhan was tangible – a presence woven from the countless lives and awakenings that had dwelled within, and the natural elements that surrounded it. I felt the soft, sacred murmurs of the plants, the whispers of winds that had travelled from distant lands, carrying with them stories of wisdom and peace.
Hollyhock flower in the garden at Traigh Bhan
The gardens awaited, an untamed symphony of wildflowers and overgrowth, like a dream blurred by time. Guided by the spirits of the land, I saw each plant and blossom reveal its essence. In the hidden nook beneath overgrown bushes, I discovered the Hollyhock – ancient and enduring. The energy of these flowers was like a steady heartbeat, grounding yet uplifting, urging me to stand tall and remain resilient in this mission.
Slowly, a transformation began, not just of the garden but of my spirit as well. In each act of clearing and planting, I felt a communion with the forces that had sustained this island for centuries. Each weed removed, each flower nurtured was an act of co-creation with the invisible hands of earth spirits and angels. As I worked, the garden seemed to respond, breathing into life, its aura warming with each touch of care. Preparing to hold the essence of the guests to come, enliven the creative processes at play, to flourish – to welcome and immerse the bodies, hearts and minds of each new light to step through the gate.
Andrew and some of our Spirit of Iona participants are tending to Traigh Bhan’s garden
One day, the wind carried a message, stirring in the apple mint that had spread its roots, like a gentle song echoing through the air. The mint, a symbol of renewal, brought a sense of hope and clarity, infusing the space with the promise of spring. Its soft fragrance spoke of journeys yet to come and – as its leaves glistened in the morning sun – I felt the presence of elemental beings. Air spirits danced lightly around, as if to bless the garden with their laughter, while the grounded energy of earth spirits held a watchful, nurturing gaze.
Mint in the candle holder of Traigh Bhan Sanctuary
The house itself became more than wood and stone; it became a living sanctuary, infused with light, love, and the warmth of Robbie MacRayburn – the heart of Traigh Bhan’s kitchen. Here, the sacred and the ordinary met; bread was baked, soup stirred, and warmth filled the rooms. Each meal prepared felt like an offering to the house and to the spirits residing within. The house and garden were now in rhythm, aligning with the land’s pulse, harmonising with the cycles of sun, moon, and stars above.
Andrew studying one of the old Findhorn Foundation cookbooks
As Iona’s storms washed over the island, there was a reminder of the power of surrender, of allowing nature to shape and cleanse as it wished. The fierce winds and rain were like a blessing, a necessary cleansing to remind us of the forces beyond our control, yet ever guiding us. And as the storms subsided, rainbows arched across the sky, symbols of the divine promise that had always been present on these lands.
Our vision, inspired by Findhorn’s guiding principles of co-creation with the intelligence of nature and alignment with Spirit, became clear. We weren’t merely restoring a house; we were reawakening a sacred connection. Traigh Bhan was becoming, once more, a vessel of love, where seekers could come to reconnect with the essence of life, with the wisdom held within the stars and the hum of the earth.
In the twilight hours, when the veil thinned, I sensed the presence of those who had come before, of fairies peeking from the hedgerows, of angels and elemental spirits keeping silent watch. They reminded me that this place had always been, and would always be, a bridge between worlds – a sanctuary where love, healing, and inspiration could blossom. It was a place for those who heard the call to step into the new dawn of the Aquarian age, to work with the love of this world, and to honour the sacred in all that lives.
The beautiful stained glass angel blessing Traigh Bhan’s sunroom at sunrise
