Our Patrons

Trustee

I am a retired priest in the Scottish Episcopal Church with a background in medicine and a trained spiritual director.   Philippa McCowan, another trustee, introduced me to the Coach House some years ago.  And having spent a couple of five day retreats here and having visited on a couple of other occasions, I felt that the open and inclusive ethos of the place accorded with my own sense of values. And I found the warm friendly welcome and peaceful atmosphere  attractive.  So, wanting to contribute to this and to encourage people to make use this rare jewel of a retreat house, when I was approached about becoming a trustee I was happy to agree and was appointed in March 2020. 

Chairman Of Trustees

I've long been supportive and involved in retreat houses, retreats and spiritual direction. I live in Sheffield with my wife, exercising a ministry in Spiritual Direction, and supporting and developing the ministry of Spiritual Direction. I'm ordained and have served as Advisor in Spirituality in two dioceses in the Church of England. I'm now retired, but active as a Co-Chair of the Spiritual Direction Forum UK, a vice Chair of the Society of Retreat Conductors (SRC).  I am one of the Society of Retreat Conductors appointed trustees of the Coach House and delighted to support and contribute to its life. 

I first visited the Coach House as a retreatant some years ago and found it to be a place of peace, warmth and welcome. I joined the Board of Trustees in 2023 and enjoy being part of the vibrant Coach House community of friends, retreatants and volunteers. My background is in health and I am also a non-stipendiary Anglican priest and trained spiritual director. I live quite locally to the Coach House having moved to Highland in 2011. The beauty of the landscape and coastline of Highland, together with the joy and generosity of staff and volunteers, help to make the Coach House such a special place. 

I first came to the Coach House in need of – and finding - space, nurture and reflection. Since then, I have seen this place and its people offer such care and consideration that I wanted to do a bit more to ensure this special place continues to thrive.  I bring a diverse range of experiences – from being a commercial litigator for 20 years, to leading my own communications consultancy and to having served on other charitable boards.  But at heart I bring my belief in the power of the beauty of nature, the specialness of every individual person and the benefit of taking time to pause into the role I have on the board.

Angela Daye brings a diverse skillset and a passion for holistic wellbeing to the Coach House Kilmuir Trust board.  Her background spans finance and IT, where she honed strong business management, administration, risk assessment, and IT expertise.  Following a career shift, she is now a qualified holistic therapist, trainer, and photographer, demonstrating her commitment to personal and professional growth. 

Introduced to the Coach House in 2022, Angela was immediately captivated by the centre’s unique atmosphere and dedication to spiritual nourishment.  Her 20+ years of voluntary experience with the Scottish Episcopal Church's youth network further underscores her commitment to service and her ability to organise and manage events.

 Angela's well-rounded skillset and enthusiasm for the Trust's mission make her a valuable asset to the board.

I have been working in the charity sector for over 25 years, specialising in volunteer management and project development. Underlying my approach to my work is my Christian faith and my involvement with the Coach House stems from my belief in the importance of spirituality in people's lives and the need for people to have supportive places where they can go to explore their spirituality and find peace and healing in nature. I am delighted to be a trustee for the Coach House. 

I am an Anglican priest who retired from Mental Health Chaplaincy in 2017. I live in Eccles, part of the City of Salford in Lancashire. I first came to the Coach House in 2014 as a representative of the Society of Retreat Conductors, who are now partners in our properties, and was struck both by the ambiance of the house and the surrounding countryside, and believe it to be a valuable resource for spiritual refreshment and formation. Between 2016 and 2024, I Was the Chairman of the Coach House Trustees.