All About Us
A little More...
Macaulay College was founded in 2010 and is located on Macaulay Farm just outside Stornoway on the Isle of Lewis. The farm extends to 120 acres and is home to goats, sheep, donkeys, chickens and more, along with poly tunnels, vegetable plots and a number of workshop areas, project spaces and relaxation areas.
"Working with animals, meeting friends, having fun, learning new things at the same time. Makes me stronger, gave me muscles, stopped me being scared of animals, taught me new things, art, cooking baking, shopping, woodwork."
— Macaulay College Student
Our Story
Macaulay College helps people to reach their potential by supporting them at the earliest possible stage; the students mostly come through Social Work and Education department referrals with education strategies developed for the students to achieve their full potential and reach person specific targets that aim to enrich their working and social life. We support people with additional support needs such as Autism, Down’s syndrome and mental health issues.
On opening in 2010, with the original building funded by the NHS, Macaulay College had one staff member and just two students. Today it employs 14 people in full and part time positions and supports 25 students from across Lewis and Harris.
The Support Workers have wide and varied backgrounds and skills that they bring to their post including skilled trades, education, nursing, community work, Gaelic, art, retail, a drama tutor and a lifeguard and swimming instructor.
Macaulay College currently has up to 25 students attending on a weekly basis. Students take part in a wide range of activities at the College, from product design, art, wood and metal work in our workshop (formally an agricultural barn), healthy eating, baking and cookery classes in our custom built kitchen and project spaces, maintaining and improving the college building and animal enclosures, through to animal care on the farm. As well as attending the college, many of our students are supported on a one-to-one programme following a plan designed specifically for them.
To read or listen to various publications that feature our work, please visit our