About: Charlie Cornelius

In 1999 Charlie had his first taste of charity work when he ran the London Marathon in aid of Whizz Kidz, a childrens charity that provide custom mobility aids for the less able. In 2005 having volunteered as a steward for the Edinburgh Make Poverty History march he donated the use of a mini-bus to the cause and unwittingly ended up driving Bono, Bob Geldoff, Richard Curtis, George Clooney and Youssou N'Dour amongst others to the live8 concert in Edinburgh and to Gleneagles Hotel to meet the world leaders. In 2006 Charlie almost completed the Caledonain Challenge, a 54 mile walk through the Scottish Highlands in less than 24 hours, raising funds for the Scottish Community Foundation. In addition for the past 10 years Charlie has supported Greenpeace, Amnesty International and Quarriers, a Scottish charity that helps a variety of social groups across Scotland by staging fundraising events and running a full range of social support for those in need. Iglu donated a portion of the profits made over the Christmas period to Quarriers.

Travels have included sailing in a 39ft slutter across the pacific to Waiheke Island in 2006 for his sister's wedding accompanied by the legendary yachtsman David Armstrong. In 2003 having had the privilege of witnessing England win the Rugby World Cup he travelled overland from Bangkok to Beijing. Hitch-hiking around Zimbabwe, climbing the live volcano Mount Bromo in Indonesia, horse trekkiing through Tibetan mountain villages on a wooden saddle, teaching English in Cambodia and scuba diving in Sipadan are amongst his favorite travelling memories.

Charlie bought Black Sabbath’s tour bus aged 21 and founded Wild in Scotland tours having been inspired by his travels through Mexico. The company’s turnover has grown by an average of over 20% per annum.

In 1999 Charlie signed the lease for a pub in the Newtown and created Iglu Bar. He has moved Iglu with the times to become Edinburgh’s best known organic dining experience specialising in organic, wild & local produce. Iglu was awarded ‘Scottish Gastropub of the year 2006’ at the Scottish chef awards. Iglu is currently expanding the premises in the Newtown to meet demand.

Charlie has had some wonderful experiences of late resulting in spiritual growth. Much of this growth has largely resulted from coaching by Ralph Quinlan Forde and shamanic experiences at Lendrick Lodge with Steven Mulhearn. Charlie finds that he is now very focussed in his work life and has more confidence in his private life. His health suffered greatly from stress and poor diet. This has been turned around by consultation with Ralph and he finds himself with a new found strength.