Holy Isle Jetty Project

About the project

We are very pleased to announce an exciting and collaborative project between the Holy Isle Project, its parent Samye Ling Buddhist monastery in Lockerbie, and Re-Vitalise, a tai chi, yoga and meditation retreat company which has been holding retreats on Holy Isle since 2006.

The Holy Isle is a remarkable place. Just off the south east end of the Isle of Arran, Scotland, the Samye Ling monastery have established a centre for world peace. Many organisations now use this facility. It has an amazing, natural, spiritual feel to it. The hard working volunteers who run the place are wonderful hosts and establish the perfect location for mindfulness persuits.

The volunteers on the Isle built a new landing platform in 2013 allowing easier access to the island. The old stone jetty has since been falling into disrepair.

One of the guests on Re-Vitalise’s 2013 retreat, Ken Robertson, had the idea of converting this old stone Jetty into a meditation platform using marine grade timber, and drew up some sketches over tea one evening after the activities of the day.  Another guest, David Miller, a civil engineer, agreed that it had great possibility, and from there, the idea was born.  The stonework of the jetty would be repaired and made good, then a timber framework and planks of locally sourced timber would be securely fitted onto it, together with back rests made from planks of oak to provide a comfortable and durable position for meditation.  Once completed, the platform would be available for meditation, personal yoga practice or simply to sit and contemplate.  The jetty occupies a wonderful position outside the front of the retreat centre, with stunning views across the water to Lamlash Bay.

In Spring this year, Denise and Andy Spragg, the owners of Re-Vitalise, together with David and Ken, were very honoured to meet with Lama Yeshe Rinpoche, abbot of Samye Ling, to discuss the plan with him and ask if this would be something that would benefit the island.  He graciously gave us his blessing for the project, and since then, work has begun to source the materials and raise the funds needed to complete the work.  The monastery’s architect, Howard Sargent, drew up detailed plans, and a date was found for the work to be carried out, on 1st – 8th April 2016. The work would be carried out by a team of volunteers who have previously attended a retreat on Holy Isle, combined with tai chi and meditation to ease those aching muscles. As David is a qualified civil engineer, he will supervise and manage the work, and sign it off on its completion as being safe and suitable for use by any visitor to the island.

To that end, fundraising is the next challenge.  The project will cost £5,000 to complete, and Re-Vitalise is looking for help to raise the funds.  We are looking for people who would be willing to pledge money to the project

Source: ICNW