A vast amount of work hs been undertaken by students and volunteers to restore Chisholme House and its grounds.

 

This collectivity of support means that Chisholme is owned by no-one and everyone

Chisholme House - An Overview

A Brief History

Chisholme House was built in 1752. It is set in an estate of nearly 200 acres in the Scottish Borders.  Once the seat of the head of the southern branch of Clan Chisholme, it went out of the family’s possession in the early part of the 20th century.

The beginning of the estate’s life as a school began when the house was found in 1973. It had been left abandoned for 18 years, and was at that point quite derelict. Since then a vast amount of work has been undertaken by students and volunteers to restore Chisholme House and its grounds. The Chisholme Institute now maintains all the buildings, which include the main house, five cottages and a student accommodation block. (For more information see Early History)

The first six-month intensive course took place at Chisholme in the winter of 1975/76. Since then, from all over the world, hundreds of students have been finding their way to the School, coming from different backgrounds, traditions and diverse walks of life.

How Chisholme is Financed

The funding of the School at Chisholme is based on a very simple principle. As many people as possible give small sums and so share the benefit of generosity. This collectivity of support means that the School is owned by no-one and everyone. The School has never been dependent on any single big donors or funding from any particular interest groups.

With this principle in mind, a covenant plan was established in 1980, to raise money to repair and renovate the house and outbuildings.  Covenants vary according to a person’s means, but even a very small amount, given regularly, makes a huge difference over time. Many covenants together form a very strong whole.

Equally, Chisholme  could not have been built, nor now be maintained, were it not for the gift of time, labour and expertise from countless volunteers over the years. Though some staff receive a small wage, many of the people working and living at Chisholme, whether as staff or visitors are unpaid volunteers. Some make a financial contribution to their stay.

Most of the fixtures and fittings, furnishings, tools, linen and crockery used at the school have been donated.

In short, Chisholme has come about through the joint efforts and contributions of many dedicated people. The principle of the covenant scheme, that the school should be owned by no-one and everyone, holds true on every level.

For more details on Finances and Appeals and Donations.