The Erraid Community SCIO trustees are a small fledgling board comprised of alumni Erraid members, local residents and a representative of the Van der Sluis family. In time we hope to expand the board to include, in particular, more people from the local area. We see our role as supporting the Erraid Community members to ensure that the purposes of the Erraid Community SCIO are addressed effectively.

From right to left: Hugh Andrews, Judy Gibson, Hester Kuypers – van der Sluis

Here is a brief introduction from each of the trustees

Judy Gibson (Chair of the Trustees) 

I am resident at the Croft- the only other dwelling on Erraid other than the community houses. I have been living here for 9 years but have been coming to Erraid since my early childhood and have witnessed many changes in the community over that time. I love living on Erraid and consider myself very privileged to be able to be here. I am very interested both in the success of the Erraid Community and also the local community on the Ross of Mull. I believe that the Erraid Community has a wonderful opportunity to grow a vibrant example of a cooperative approach to sustainable living that can also embrace connections to the wider community. I am excited to be a small part of this endeavour.

Hugh Andrews (Secretary of Trustees)

I was a member of the Erraid Community from 1987 to 1990. It is probably the most important time of my life. I met my wife Janet Banks there. She was “the girl-next-door” for a short time, before moving in together and getting married in St Oran’s Chapel on Iona a few months later. Learning to get along with others and completing shared task and working for a shared goal gave me such joy. So much so that I only agreed to leave the island when our daughter was about to be born if we would try and set up a similar community for ourselves. This we did at Woodhead, near Findhorn, which is where we have been living ever since. We have tried to return to Erraid at least once a year since leaving, and still have good friends on Iona and the Ross of Mull who we like to visit at the same time. I feel so grateful to the Dutch families who have shared Erraid with others so openly and with such love and passion, and feel privileged to be part of this enterprise.

Hester Kuypers – van der Sluis (Treasurer of the Trustees)

I am a member of the Van der Sluis family. I spent all my childhood summer holidays on Erraid from 1978 onwards and have absolutely loved it ever since. In 1996, Hans Erik, our son Pelle, and I joined the Erraid Community for a year, concluding this amazing year by celebrating our wedding on Erraid. Living on Erraid with the community was a rich experience that broadened my perspective in a wonderful way. It made me realise what an important role the Erraid Community has played in so many lives by welcoming guests, volunteers, and members.

So, when Findhorn expressed that it needed to release its custodianship, it was clear to me that we should try to find a way to continue the Erraid Community. I am so grateful that this wish is shared by my family — Judy, Hugh, and Rachel — and, above all, the current Erraid group. I feel blessed to be part of this exciting new era for Erraid.

Rachel Cato

Glenn and I first visited Erraid nearly 30 years ago. Then in the year 2000 decided to follow our hearts, embrace a better quality of life and we moved to the island. In Erraid I was privileged to meet and work with people from all over the world, listen to their stories and share the island’s beauty. Our eldest daughter was born whilst we lived in Erraid which brought creativity and new challenges around our daily routines, wheel barrows became buggies and often on the Sunday walk around the island there was an extra guide in the child carrier enjoying the views. We stayed in Erraid for just over 4 years before moving over the water to Mull where we still live as neighbours, available for cups of tea and shelter.