Cluny Voices - Cluny Hill College

When Peter and Eileen Caddy, with Dorothy Maclean, first arrived at the Cluny Hill Hotel in the Royal Burgh of Forres, Scotland, on that early spring morning in 1957, little did they know that their 'future work' would be planetary in scope or that Cluny Hill Hotel would become Cluny Hill College, the educational centre for worldwide programmes.

Back in 1957, Peter, Eileen and Dorothy knew only that their lives had changed completely. It was time for them to combine their many years of individual spiritual training for service to the public. To them, conscientious work - 'love in action' - was the order of the day as they undertook the practical business of operating a 150-bed hotel on a spiritual basis. They gave special attention not only to the hotel guests, but also to each of the 50-member staff, helping them to feel a personal connection with the operation of the hotel as well as a sense of community within their work.

Under Eileen's guidance, with everyone working enthusiastically, the hotel and its grounds reflected a radiance and vitality which attracted increasing numbers of people - people who had no idea they were visiting a 'centre of light'. It seems symbolic that under the Caddy's management the hotel's commercial status was raised to 4-stars!

Incidentally, it's interesting to learn of the original purpose of 'Cluny Hill'. It opened its doors in August, 1865, under the title of Clunyhill Hydropathic Establishment. To 'take the waters' was a new health treatment then. What was soon popularly called Cluny Hydro attracted many of the Scottish and English gentry to this place of healing, recreation and renewal. Also of very special interest -- it was in January 1862 that the feu for erection of the Clunyhill Hydropathic Establishment "to be made of stone from the new Forres quarry" was granted to Dr. Alexander Munro of Aberdeen. Dr. Munro was not only a medical physician, but also a Doctor of Divinity who had been pastor of the Independent Church at Westhills, Skene. He had at one time planned to become a medical missionary, but remained with the Establishment until his death in 1881.

Just when the Hydro ceased its identity as a spa is not recorded, but "The Hydro" name continued in local use until World War II. From 1940-1944 the small Burgh of Forres was the centre of a great deal of hush-hush military activity. Cluny Hill (as well as many other buildings in the town) was requisitioned to house troops. A far cry from its original purpose!

After the war Cluny felt the ravages and distress of its military experience. It was then purchased by the commercial company of Allied Hotels, completely renovated, and became plain, undistinguished Cluny Hill Hotel.

But then the God-Caddy management performed its magic. Not only did the rating rise to 4-stars, but income trebled within three years. The company which owned Cluny and 21 other hotels decided that this winning team could work wonders at another of their properties. Early in 1962 the Caddys and Dorothy were given notice that they and most of the staff were to be transferred to the Trossachs. They left for that new location feeling a great loss, but were told through Eileen's guidance: "All you have put into Cluny Hill has been absolutely necessary, as you will see in the future." No one could imagine what that future would encompass!

But exactly 13 years to the day after the Caddys drove into the Findhorn Caravan Park to stay 'for just a little while' (November 17, 1962) the rapidly expanding Findhorn Community and Foundation they created there purchased the Cluny Hill Hotel in Forres for its much needed educational centre and guest accommodation. Eileen had been given repeated assurance during all those years that one day they would return to Cluny Hill. On 17 November 1975, the guidance proved correct once again! The story of the purchase is a fascinating one which in many ways brings to mind the so-called magic of Findhorn which surely began to manifest itself back in 1957 at Cluny Hill!

What was to become Cluny Hill College opened for business as a hotel under Foundation management on 1st April 1976. Under the purchase contract, the Foundation was required to honour agreements already made by the former owners to service touring coach parties for the 1976 season. This meant providing full hotel service to constantly changing large groups of people for up to five days and nights.

But this time it was to be accomplished without Peter, Eileen, Dorothy and a fully trained staff of 50. With only three hastily employed 'professional' people to work with them, untrained but willing Foundation members performed every kind of duty from hotel style night porter and housecare to cooking and elegantly serving full-course meals. After guests were taken care of, members went on with their community programmes and prepared their own vegetarian food. The original God-Caddy-Cluny magic must have still prevailed, as several people later reported that the best part of their Scottish tour was their stay 'at that interesting hotel in Forres'.

In September 1976 at last 'that interesting hotel' could drop its initiatory role and name and assume its proper position as CLUNY HILL COLLEGE, educational centre of the Findhorn Foundation. Education is the main focus of the Foundation, and it is the duty and privilege of CLUNY HILL COLLEGE to hold this space in readiness at all times for this particular purpose.

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