Woodhead is a small, intentional community located in farmlands near Kinloss, just three miles from the old village port of Findhorn. It was started by two families more than 30 years agoEco village . A rich and full time for all who have lived there. Filled with raising our children and following our individual passions, while at the same time putting Life back into the land and buildings we have been care-taking. When we arrived here it was a windswept property. The main farm house and adjoining farm worker’s cottage had had some basic renovation, but were in sore need of improvements and further extensions. One of the previous owners’s idea of gardening was to spray the land with glyphosphate once a year.
It was hard work, but to witness and be part of making steady changes to both the land and buildings we cared for has been such a joy and privilege. The two acres of land we manage between us is now bountiful and beautiful, providing most of the fruit and vegetables we need. Initially we had to import manures, but now the land itself provides more than enough of the nutrients it needs to continue growing. Over the years we have slowly refined our growing techniques, and now have good systems that work very well for us, and happily share with all who come here. We are always delighted to find that Mr Fluttergrub’s gardening tips either point us to new ideas to explore or already resonate with what we have discovered. Initially the land was extreemly exposed and the first few years involved a major planting of shelter trees. We now have more than enough shelter and many are now being cut down to provide firewood. It feels like, and is, a miracle.
Currently there are eight adults and one child calling Woodhead home. In the early days we had up to ten adults and five children living here. In addition we usually have a Wwoofer, (a gardening volunteer), come to join us from spring to late autumn. It is great to have a variety of people from all over the world come and join us, sharing their various life experiences and enriching ours. We are fortunate to live in one of the sunniest ares of Scotland – the Moray Coast is known as the Scottish Riviera, and not only have the very varied and beautiful Scottish countryside around us, but are close to the Findhorn Ecovillage, with it’s cosmopolitan inhabitants and multifarious activities. Some of our Wwofers have even stayed on in the area Wwooing for us for a year or more, with one finding his wife in Findhorn, and moving on to live in the area. But what many Wwoofers particularly value in living with us is to experience the values of sharing our lives, both materially and socially, more deeply than is usual in wider society.
But now the four founding members no longer have the strength and stamina we had when we started, and in order for our community to continue into the future we need some new “young blood”. So early next year we will be opening up to new members. Ideally it would be a couple with (or without) children, at least one of whom would have the time, energy and desire to continue to develop and caretake this place. There will be a unit with three or four bedrooms/ work rooms and a large kitchen sitting room becoming available in March 2026. It will initially be a rental option, but we would very much welcome a couple who would wish to buy into the community. The kind of people who would best suit living here would be ones who enjoy people, nature and gardening, and have a thirst for Life and it’s meaning. And even if they think they know what that is, are humble enough to realise that they don’t really know. In other words are open to other’s point of views.
If anyone would like to find out more information about Woodhead Community and what is on offer please email Hugh Andrews via info@woodheadcom.org
