Workshop: Environmental Expert Week
June 13-19, 2026
About the workshop
Time on this tidal island is rare and precious. This week invites you to experience why, guided by three local experts deeply rooted in the landscape.
An ornithologist, a geologist and an artist each offer a different way of seeing—opening up the island through birdlife, rock, and creative response. Together, they’ll lead you into a richer understanding of place, shaped by years of knowledge and lived connection.
There’s space to learn, to wander, and to pay attention—to notice what’s often overlooked, from shifting shorelines to subtle rhythms and stories held in the land.
Staying in historic lighthouse keepers’ cottages, you’ll be part of a small, working island community. Through shared meals from organic gardens and simple daily rhythms, you’ll experience a way of life we value deeply and are glad to share.
Open to both beginners and those with experience, the week also includes time for independent exploration or a visit to the Isle of Iona. There will be space throughout for walking, cold water swimming, meditation and quiet reflection.
Facilitators
John Faithfull
Dr John Faithfull is a local geologist. He spent a lot of his childhood on the Ross of Mull Granite, and this was a huge influence on his career choice. He has worked at the Universities of Leicester and Glasgow, and now lives in Bunessan. He has studied rocks from all over the world, but loves nothing more than sharing Mull’s beautiful rocks with others – geologists, and non-geologists alike.
Miek Zwamborn
As a poet, interdisciplinary artist, translator, and conservationist based on the Isle of Mull, Miek’s focus is directed towards the tidal zone, peatland, and the Celtic rainforest. Miek explores these vibrant ecosystems through writing, drawing, mapping, and photography, often in collaboration. In her anthology, The Seaweed Collector’s Handbook (Profile Books, 2020), Miek touches on the realm of seaweed and its cultural history.
Peter Skinner
Peter Skinner works as a seasonal ranger for the National Trust for Scotland on Staffa and the Treshnish isles. Fascinated by nature since childhood, he lived on Erraid for three years, giving him real-life insight into the behaviours of the native birdlife throughout the seasonal and climate changes.
Peter is immensely knowledgeable about wildlife and conservation, and as a close friend of the community he is deeply binded to every aspect of our island lifestyle.
Schedule
Saturday
Arrival day. Pick-up from Fionnphort at 14:40pm. Time to settle into the cottages before dinner at 6pm.
Sunday
We start the day with a walk on Erraid with Peter listening to the birds, looking at other wildlife such as plants and trees. A chance to be immersed in nature and reflect on our connection with it. Group lunch at 1pm.
Monday
A day out with Peter to visit the islands of Staffa and Lunga. After a boat trip to the islands, we will watch the local seabirds and marine life in their natural setting—Lunga is well known for its puffins, often at very close range, while Staffa is notable for its distinctive rock formations. Along the way, we may also see other seabirds, as well as seals or dolphins. A rare opportunity to spend time in a unique and relatively undisturbed environment.
Tuesday
A day with John walking through the beautiful rocky landscapes of Erraid and adjacent parts of Mull. Much of the rock is granite, but within the granite are a host of wonderful rock outcrops where stories of multiple molten magmas, mingling and mixing, crystallization and cooking can be seen. There are also signs of the geologically recent deglaciation of the area, and even some geological processes still operating today.
Wednesday
Schedule-free day with possibility to visit Iona or explore elsewhere.
Thursday
Miek will take you out onto the tidal flat at low tide to show you a wide variety of seaweed. She’ll introduce you to their diverse appearances, behaviours and flavours. We’ll try to capture the swirling movement of seaweed using ink made from seaweed ash. Miek will also share her favourite seaweed recipes and show how to make a few simple dishes with the seaweed cuttings of the day.
Friday
Departure day. Drop-off at Fionnphort at 15:00pm.
Photos by Magnus Fraser
More information
Arrival and departure
The workshop will take place June 13 till June 19th 2026, with arrival on Saturday afternoon and departure on Friday afternoon.
As we are based on a remote tidal island, logistics are carefully coordinated:
- Pick-up at 14:40 on Saturday in Fionnphort to meet the bus arriving from Craignure
- Drop-off at 15:00 on Friday in Fionnphort to connect with the 15:20 bus back to Craignure
We kindly ask guests arriving by car to align with these times so the group can make the last 30-minute walk to the island together.
Guests must be able to complete this walk and are asked to bring a bag they can carry themselves.
For detailed instructions on how to get to the island, please read this page.
Location
Erraid is located at the end of the Ross of Mull, near Iona. PA66 6BN. For a detailed instruction on how to get here, please read this page.
Accommodation
Accommodation is in one of the lighthouse keeper’s cottages. You can either book an interconnected bedroom or a private bedroom. The cottages have a kitchen, bathroom, living space, and private back garden. Further down the street is our communal dining and living area for shared meals. For quiet reflection, there’s the sanctuary on the hill, as well as the island’s wild landscape to explore and unwind in.
Interconnected room:
These bedrooms are interconnected, meaning one is accessed through the other. You will have your own space, but should be comfortable with shared entry. We pair guests thoughtfully with a person of the same gender, and if travelling together with a friend we’re happy to reserve interconnected rooms for you.
Private room:
You will have a private room in one of the cottages.
Food
We will have communal meals on Saturday, Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. Meals are vegetarian and made with fresh produce from our gardens.
On Wednesday guests are welcome to use ingredients from our gardens and larder or leftovers from the kitchen to prepare their own meals.
Breakfast supplies (oats, muesli, bread, butter, eggs, milk, coffee, tea) are stocked in the cottages and the gardens are full of fresh vegetables and, depending on the season, fruit as well.
Cost
The cost for the workshop is £950-1250, depending on room type.
Included in the price:
- Guided tour of the island of Erraid
- Three special days guided by experts
- Boat tour to Staffa and Lunga (weather permitting)
- Day trip to Iona
- Remote island logistics: pick-up and drop-off from Fionnphort
- Breakfast in the cottage and 9 cooked meals made fresh from our gardens
- Accommodation in the lighthouse keepers cottages for 6 nights
- Possibility to join daily morning meditations in the sanctuary
This is a small-group experience. Spaces for the workshop will be limited.
As a charity, every contribution is directed towards sustaining the Erraid community and supporting our work of community building, regenerative land stewardship and education through sharing this unique lifestyle with as many people as possible.
Accessibility
The week involves hiking over uneven terrain, boating, and variable weather conditions, so a reasonable level of fitness and preparedness is recommended.
In order to get on the island, you will need to make a 30-minute walk through a boggy area.
What to bring
The weather on Erraid is unpredictable. We recommend bringing these items:
- Hat and sunglasses
- Rucksack/backpack that you are able to carry
- Warm, layered clothing
- Sturdy, waterproof boots and/or wellies. Should be comfortable for longer walks.
- Waterproof coat and trousers
- Toiletries and medications (there is no pharmacy nearby)
- Water bottle
- Headtorch
- Sunscreen
- Insect repellent
Important: it is essential that you are able to carry your own bags on and off the island, so please bear this in mind when packing!
Terms and conditions
This workshop requires quite a bit of preparation in advance, with planning and securing facilitators. Refunds (minus the deposit) can be offered for cancellations made at least 8 weeks prior to the start date.
We recommend arranging travel insurance, as the workshop takes place in a remote location where travel may be affected by weather conditions or technical issues with ferries. We do our best to help with logistical challenges, but these factors are ultimately beyond our control.
Please note that a minimum of 4 participants is required for the workshop to run. If we cannot fill these spaces, we reserve the right to cancel the workshop. In such cases, participants will be notified promptly and offered a full refund. Alternatively, participants can still stay on Erraid for a regular guest week.
Lighthouse keepers cottage
Lunch in the garden
Home grown food
Bedroom
Fireplace
