The history of Camphill

History of Camphill Communities in Great Britain and Ireland

Although it was founded in Aberdeen, the Camphill Movement traces its roots back to Vienna. In the 1930s a group of young friends and students, led by Dr Karl König, were developing their ideas of communities dedicated to children with special needs.

On the night of the Nazi annexation of Austria in 1938, the group met by candle light in Vienna behind closed curtains. They knew they had to flee. For a time, the group was scattered in different countries. In 1939, following an invitation came to Dr König to develop their plans in North-east Scotland at Kirkton, near Insch, in 1939.

In June 1940 Camphill House, in the Milltimber area of Aberdeen, was purchased with a loan from the MacMillan publishing family. It was from this first community – still a thriving as a vibrant campus of Camphill School Aberdeen – that the movement takes its name. 

From this small beginning in Aberdeen, Camphill has now expanded to more than 100 communities in 23 countries worldwide.

These communities are very varied, some rural, some urban, large and small, working with children, adolescents and adults with special needs. But all look to Aberdeen, the birthplace of Camphill, for inspiration.

 

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