Recent research into our Ambassadors’ Leadership Academy (ALA) has demonstrated the significant differences that participants make following graduation from a Columban programme. 

A substantial evaluation of our Ambassadors’ programme by Mark Bitel “Code for Life: The evaluation of Columba 1400’s Ambassadors’ Leadership Academy” – involved interviews with more than 175 people, including 9 Head Teachers, 31 teachers, senior managers and guidance staff, and 135 students who graduated from Columba 1400.

On 28th March Friday at 11:55 in Staffin, Columba 1400 graduated the 3000th programme participant. The final graduate of the day, Tony Gallagher from Greenock, received the 3000th certificate.  It is important to say that the scale from 1 to the 2999th and the 3001st are just as special as Tony is. This simply helps us to reflect on all the individual faces and memories that make up that number.

08 April 2008

On Monday 19th November, Cabinet Secretary for Education and Life Long Learning, Fiona Hyslop MSP visited the Columba 1400 Leadership Centre in Staffin, Isle of Skye, hosted by Norman Drummond [hyperlink] and Columban supporter, Sir Tom Farmer.  The Minister was joined by HM Chief Inspector of schools, Graham Donaldson, and other senior figures in education.
03 December 2007

Our exciting new building project to extend our leadership centre in Staffin is well underway, and we would like to extend the opportunity to all of our supporters and friends to help support our project.

Dedicate a flagstone, and help us to bring this new building to reality.  A local craftsman will engrave your flagstone with the name of your choice.  This could be with your name, or with the name of a friend, a member of your family or community – or even your school or company.

April 27th was a fantastic day in the Columban Calendar – more than 150 graduates, supporters and members of the Columban Board and Team gathered at Ardoch Estate on the banks of Loch Lomond, to celebrate the inauguration of our second Community & International Leadership Centre.
27 April 2007

After more than a year of planning and fundraising, work has begun on the building extension which will drastically enhance Columba’s ability to deliver quality leadership programmes in a practical yet inspiring setting.
19 January 2007

It’s not often in Scotland that young people striving to make a difference in their schools and their lives, and the adults who support and empower them, have the opportunity to come together, share ideas and invite others in to their thinking.  But when they do, wonderful things happen.
27 November 2006

Columban Gathering for graduates of the Young People's Leadership Academy.

Columba 1400 has always been committed to helping graduates develop their own strengths and talents.  When the opportunity arose to take on some graduates as volunteers through Project Scotland, an organisation which funds young people who wish to volunteer in social enterprise, we were keen to benefit from this programme.
09 August 2006

Elaine has returned home safely from a tour Down Under where she was involved with the continuing travels of the Gipsy Moth IV yacht. 
09 August 2006

Columba's Sixth Birthday was marked by strategy discussions this weekend at the Columba 1400 Centre in Staffin, and celebrations with the Columban Team, the Board of Trustees and their families.

We also formally welcomed two new Trustees, and were delighted to see the progress of work being done to refurbish Quiraing Lodge.
05 June 2006

On May 9th, we brought together past Columban Graduates and future participants to meet and discuss what it is to be Columban, and how Columba has affected the lives of our graduates.  This exciting and inspiring gathering took place at the Merchants Hall in Edinburgh, and we were fortunate to be joined by Craig Mathieson, and representatives of our corporate partners, Standard Life and the Royal Bank of Scotland.
10 May 2006

Columba's 2000th Columban graduates from an Ambassadors programme in March 2005
23 March 2006

It is really quite special getting the opportunity to be part of something that is making a difference and making history in the process. I have just spent 14 days sailing from Plymouth to Gibraltar.
01 October 2005