BBC ‘Mainly Magnus’ Interviews 1973
Written by Cornelia Featherstone, introduction by Britta Schmitz
In 1973, members of the Findhorn Foundation Community were interviewed in a famous British BBC TV show called ‘Mainly Magnus’. The video is one of the few recordings which give an impression of community life in the early 1970s.
In this episode you can tap into the Spirit of the early days, which made our community at Findhorn grow into a large Ecovillage and a global Network of Light over the past decades. We are happy to introduce you to these roots from which our global community grew into the present moment and we hope that you will enjoy this ‘blast from the past’ brought to us by Cornelia Featherstone.
Cornelia writes:
The ‘Mainly Magnus’ episode filmed at the Findhorn Foundation Community Centre on 14th January 1973 offers a captivating glimpse into the early days of our unique community. Hosted by the charismatic Icelandic-born Magnus Magnusson, the show brought the vibrant ‘Spirit of Findhorn’ directly into living rooms across the nation.
The decision to film the episode on location at Findhorn in the north east of Scotland was a remarkable feat, as most shows were broadcast from the BBC’s Glasgow studio. Securing an outside broadcasting unit was a complex undertaking at that time and required significant planning and resources. Through a stroke of good fortune it proved unexpectedly smooth and set the stage for a truly special event, showcasing the community in its natural setting.
The BBC arrives in the Findhorn Foundation Community in 1973.
Filming ‘Mainly Magnus’ in the Findhorn Foundation’s Community Centre.
Magnus Magnusson skillfully guided the conversation with a sparkle in his eye, weaving together the diverse perspectives of community members. Each voice offered a unique window into the heart and soul of Findhorn Foundation Community: from the founders – Eileen and Peter Caddy and their friend Dorothy Maclean – to longtime residents, and the younger generation of newcomers.
Magnus Magnusson, the host of the show.
Dorothy Maclean and Peter and Eileen Caddy.
David Spangler
Craig Gibsone
Janet and John Willoner
This video offers a vibrant tapestry of sights and sounds, showcasing the lush gardens, innovative architecture, artistic expressions like song and dance, and the vibrant community life.
A Lasting Legacy
The ‘Mainly Magnus episode at Findhorn has become a cherished piece of community history. It serves as a valuable resource, offering future generations a glimpse into the early days of this pioneering community. The episode's enduring power lies in its ability to capture the spirit of the Findhorn Foundation Community at the time – A spirit of collaboration, creativity, and a deep connection to the natural world.
Watch the full episode ‘Mainly Magnus’ – Findhorn on 14th January 1973
‘Mainly Magnus’ Revisited
52 years after ‘Mainly Magnus’ broadcast, Cornelia revisited this gem. Together with her team of volunteers, they researched how the show came about and what it was like to be part of it, and they wrote another article, called ‘Mainly Magnus Revisited’. It contains the original report from the community newsletter in 1973 and today’s recollections of three of the younger members who were in the audience in 1973: Craig Gibsone and John Willoner, who still live in our Ecovillage community at Findhorn, and David Spangler, who moved to the United States and still plays an active part within our global community from overseas.
Read the full article ‘Mainly Magnus Revisited’
The Isle of Erraid and ‘Mainly Magnus’
Five years after the show went live, four of the around 300 community members at the time moved out to the Isle of Erraid on the west coast of Scotland to live closer to the land and sea in harmony with the elements and nature. Guided by the community’s spiritual principles and core practices of Inner Listening, Co-creation with Nature, and Work as Love in Action, they continued to live an earth-based, spiritual life as a smaller group, inviting guests to join their lives on a weekly basis. Whereas the Findhorn Foundation and Community in the north east of Scotland expanded and changed a lot over the last fifty years, you will find that the small Erraid community on the west coast still lives very much like the community of the early days.
Jonathan Caddy, son of our community’s co-founders Peter and Eileen Caddy, was one of the first group of four who went out from Findhorn to Erraid in 1979 to live in the old lighthouse keeper’s cottages and look after the gardens of this small island. We call them the ‘Erraid pioneers’.
Here you can see Jonathan to the very right in the early Erraid days, together with his mother Eileen and other community members.
Up to this day you can visit us for a week or more on the Isle of Erraid and join one of our Retreats, Experience Weeks, Celtic Festival Weeks, or Love in Action weeks. You can come and visit us on the Isle of Erraid here.
Cornelia Featherstone is a long standing community member. Amongst many other things she is doing for our community, she is one of the founders of the ‘Celebrating one Incredible Family’ initiative. Together with a team of volunteers, she researches our community’s history to create our collective autobiography. Thank you Cornelia for making our community’s history come alive for us!
Find out more about our community’s history and ‘Celebrating one Incredible Family’ here.
Thank you to BBC One Scotland for the use of the still pictures taken from the 14 January 1973 television episode, ‘Mainly Magnus’ about the Findhorn Foundation Community.
