Our founder Norman Drummond was inspired by the life and message of St Columba – someone who wasn’t afraid to transform his life, make a new start and release his inner greatness for the good of others.

Why 1400? St Columba died on Iona on 9 June 597 and, exactly 1400 years later, Norman and the local community started our work with just a piece of land, an idea and six values – Awareness, Focus, Creativity, Integrity, Perseverance and Service.

Since then, we’ve built a stunning leadership centre in Staffin on Skye and have also welcomed participants to residentials at Ardoch on the banks of Loch Lomond and the Blair Estate in Dalry. Three beautiful locations that inspire our work every day. We’ve adapted, creating new ways to reach people through the recent pandemic and working alongside people in the community as well as at our centres.

But most of all, we’ve helped over 12,000 young people and their key adults transform their lives. Because, as we like to say at Columba 1400, you can go anywhere from here.