Helping those who would otherwise not be able to afford to visit us.
Erraid offers an opportunity to immerse in raw nature, to connect to spirit, to experience an established intentional community, to participate in the joy of work that serves others … and members of the community have been welcoming guests here for over 40 years.
Recent months have been unprecedented and Covid lockdown has meant we were closed to guests between late-March and mid-August. It has been great to have the vibrancy and fresh energy guests bring as well as the end of week feedback, which so often touches our hearts. Scottish Government restrictions mean, we are now only able to offer Retreat weeks and that we are also encouraging guests to come for a longer stay, so that they can be fully integrated in the community once they have had two weeks here on retreat.
Your support
We want to remain welcoming to as many as possible, regardless of their background, and to support this we have established the Erraid Bursary Fund. The fund will be used to support the living costs of guests who would otherwise not be able to afford to stay, including those who need help to be able to afford to stay here longer.
Please help us to establish the fund by making a contribution today and consider whether you would be willing to make a regular gift. We promise to provide donors with feedback on the specific individuals supported with the fund so that you know a little of their story and the impact of a visit to our beautiful island community.
We were able to award our first bursary in the autumn of 2020, thanks to the generosity of our donors, to Michael who admitted having struggled due to Covid-19. Our bursary enabled him to stay two weeks instead just coming for one week and at the end of his stay he told us “… it was only in week two that I found my rhythm and routine and really started to recover some inner calm. After two weeks, I feel so much better than when I arrived. … The beauty of the island is so uplifting…. I’m really incredibly grateful. Thank you.”
We have also been able to welcome Pete, from Glasgow, who wrote in his bursary application “I suffer from heart disease and mental illness and haven’t been out my home town on holiday for nine years. ” After his week with us he shared that “From my arrival on the bus at Fionnphort I felt welcomed and when I stepped foot on to Erraid from the little boat I felt a sense of spirit about the place. Everyone was very friendly. I was amazed by the cleanliness, beauty and spaciousness of my cottage. It was just perfect, especially with the beautiful wood burning stove – so cosy and warm. ……. I loved being woken up in the morning by the cuckoo calling. I wasn’t sure about the vegetarian food before arriving, but needn’t have worried as it was delicious – all credit to the cooks! ” He also told us that the week had helped him spritually as well as helping improve his mental health.
You can find a story of another bursary recipient, Annie, here too.
Our finances
Erraid is part of the Findhorn Foundation, a registered charity (Scottish registered charity number ), however it has always been self-supporting, generating the majority of income to support the day to day costs of our island life from guests. The bursary fund means that we can support those to come who would otherwise not be able to afford the cost of staying with us.