The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
Fire rips heart out of eco-community
THE Findhorn Foundation community in Moray has vowed to rebuild after devastating fires reduced two of its oldest buildings to ashes.
Flames tore through the park’s community centre, which was host to shared meals and countless social gatherings, and main meditation sanctuary in the early hours of yesterday morning.
Only charred pillars remain of the landmarks that have been home to thousands in the community over the past 50 years.
The Findhorn Foundation has vowed to rebuild after a fire destroyed “the heart of the community”.
The Moray enclave’s community centre and main meditation sanctuary were burned to the ground, leaving charred pillars and an external staircase of some of the oldest landmarks on the park.
The striking hexagonal community centre building was home to large communal lunches and dinners with residents, shared Sunday singing sessions and workshops.
However, it also played host to countless celebrations, parties and ceilidhs over the years.
Colourful mosaics that once stood proudly outside the wooden structure have been reduced to charred remains.
The sanctuary was regarded as the “spiritual heart of the community” since its early days.
Some regard the construction of the buildings as the beginning of the unique community.
Yesterday, police confirmed a 49-year-old man had been arrested in connection with the fire.
Emergency services arrived shortly after 2am on Sunday and remained for nearly 12 hours. Nobody was injured.
Residents embraced each other as they gathered to see the devastation for themselves.
Jonathan Caddy, son of Eileen Caddy who was one of the three Foundation founders, was born in a caravan just yards away from where the large hexagonal wooden community centre stood.
He said: “It’s devastating, just numbing, but there’s been a lot of support.
“When it was built in 1969 there were just 13 people here but my mother had the guidance that we needed a kitchen able to feed 200 people – and the community has grown organically around it.
“It’s very upsetting. I’ve seen it go up and now I’ve seen it come down. Hopefully a new beginning can come from this.”
Caroline Matters, chief executive of the foundation, said: “We are so grateful that no one was hurt and know that the spirit of the community lives in our hearts and connects us all here in Moray, Scotland and our global community around the world.
“Buildings can be rebuilt. Our main concern is to take care of our co-workers and community.
“Our purpose and commitment is unwavering. We will rebuild, we have been through trials and tough times before.”
The foundation community, which is currently home to about 200 people, was formed in the late 1960s and aims to inspire a positive future for humanity and the planet through inner guidance.
Messages of support for residents have been posted by people from across the world who share a connection to the enclave.
It is understood the alarm was raised shortly after 2am by residents of the Findhorn Foundation.
Volunteer wardens evacuated around 12 people from nearby buildings before emergency services arrived.
At its peak, seven fire crews were working to control the blaze.
Residents gathered at their front doors on Sunday night to take part in a shared minute’s silence to “connect the hearts” of those affected by the fire.
Richard Lochhead, the SNP’s candidate for Moray at next month’s election, said: “The Foundation is such an important part of our local community and the damage caused is absolutely devastating.”
Moray MP Douglas Ross said: “Thankfully, no-one has been hurt.
“My thoughts are with everybody at the Findhorn Foundation. Once again, our firefighters deserve praise for their quick response to this incident.”