“It was no holiday – don’t kid yourself! It was hard work and challenging in every way. I don’t think I realised the impact until after I left and I could apply the tools I had learned in everyday life.”
- Columban Graduate
about us
Columba 1400 is a UK charitable organisation, headquartered at our own Community and International Leadership Centre at Staffin on the Isle of Skye. We design and deliver world-class residential leadership development experiences. The core of our work is with young people from ‘tough realities’, that is, those who have experienced significant personal and social challenges. Our experience has found that tremendous leadership potential exists in those who have weathered tough times. By tapping into that potential, Columba 1400 enables individuals to find their full capacity for themselves and for their wider community. Our programmes are built on the Columban code for responsible and ethical leadership and reach out to people from all backgrounds and experiences.
Columba is a non-political, non-denominational and independent organisation, with a distinct, unique and proven approach towards releasing the potential of young people from tough realities in Scotland and elsewhere.
What we're not
Columba 1400 is none of the following:
- college or school
- holiday
- health farm
- positive thinking camp
- religious sect
- outward bound programme
- a soft option
our history
Columba 1400 was inspired, founded and is currently chaired by Norman Drummond, former BBC National Governor and Chairman of the Broadcasting Council for Scotland. Chaplaincies to The Parachute Regiment, The Black Watch and Fettes College were followed by 12 years experience as Headmaster of Loretto School. As part of his continuous work with the potential of others throughout his life, Columba 1400 represents a place where people come to understand the vocation of leadership in personal and professional life.
Fundraising began in 1997, to honour the 1400th anniversary of St. Columba's mission to Scotland.
The Centre is open to all and unconditionally welcomes the diversity brought to the table by different cultures and backgrounds. The concept of a purpose-built Leadership Centre positions Columba 1400 at the centre of a local working community while simultaneously creating the hub of a leadership network, bringing tomorrow's problem solvers together to interface with today's most proven, respected and trusted leaders.