Welcome to Erraid!
This tiny Hebridean isle, with its historic lighthouse keepers’ dwellings, has been home to a small and evolving community since 1978.
Our way of life is rooted in the principles of the Findhorn Foundation and we strive to live in harmony — caring for the gardens, the cottages, and one another.
Life on a remote Scottish island means embracing nature and the elements. It invites a deeper connection to the land, the sea, and the changing weathers — and to our place within it all.
Erraid is one of those rare places where you can witness humankind making a positive impact on the Earth. The contrast of the wild, rugged islets off the west coast of Erraid with the vibrant abundance of life nurtured in our sheltered gardens is inspiring.
This is a place of beauty, resilience, and transformation.
Our community is open to guests and you are welcome to join us for a week or more.
Many people have been called to Erraid to engage in our alternative, intentional way of living, to learn how to grow food and live more sustainably in relationship with the land and to experience the island’s raw, elemental beauty.
There are several ways to get involved here:
- Join the community rhythm as a guest
- Come on retreat as a guest
- Volunteer
Erraid’s Gardens
Our gardens have been nurtured by the Erraid Community for over 40 years. We grow organically and tend to our plots and polytunnels throughout the year, in all weathers. The herb gadren is a must see too.
In the springtime, we sow seeds and plant out. In the summer, there is lots of weeding, watering, and harvesting to do. In the autumn, we enjoy more harvesting and preserving whilst putting the garden to sleep for wintertime.
In the winter, we prepare the beds for the coming spring by enriching the soil with heaps of seaweed from the nearby beach, manure from our hens and compost made from our organic waste.
Throughout the year, our meals are made with fresh organic produce from our gardens whenever possible. Depending on the season, they provide us with a variety of salad leaves, tomatoes, cucumbers, courgettes, brassicas, onions, garlic, legumes, potatoes, herbs, rhubarb, blackcurrants, blackberries and much more. We also grow flowers that bring joy and beauty to our cottages and gardens.
Animals and Wildlife
Part of living here on Erraid is looking after our animals with respect and reciprocity.
The chickens, born and bred on the islands, have a cosy wooden home beside the old byre and they give us delicious eggs to eat.
We also have two cats in our community, Moonlight and Shadow. Many years ago they were found abandoned on Mull by a previous member of the community. Thanks to the care and patience of all the residents since, they have grown up healthy, loving and loyal. They are fond of guests and fireside cuddles.
A herd of Black Faced sheep roam the wilder parts of Erraid. They belong to the local shepherd but the community helps manange the flock at times throughout the year. Sheep round-ups are a favourite and all visitors are welcomed into the process.
There is a diversity of wildlife to spot on Erraid too – from circling birds of prey, to the nesting herons, magestic deer and, if you’re very lucky, otters.
Wood
The cottages on Erraid are warmed by woodburners, which also heat the water for showers and daily use. The cutting and splitting of wood is a necessary, daily part of life here, throughout the year.
All the wood (mainly Larch), is locally sourced from the Isle of Mull. At low tide, we use the tractor to bring the wood across the beach before it is cut into logs with a chainsaw, then it is split and stacked.
The scraps and bark go back to the gardens as mulch, and the sawdust from using the chainsaw helps keep our compost toilets fresh – nothing is wasted.
About once a week, members and guests on Erraid help with a ‘wood run’ from the wood shed up into the houses, with a chain of people to load and unload the trailer. This process is a team effort, everyone playing a vital role in keeping us all cosy and clean!
