THE SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS,
AUGUST 2024
ALLADALE
Our last retreat took in the Scottish Highlands, a wilderness of aching beauty just north of Inverness — a place where the soul stretches wide and breathes deep. Carved into 23,000 acres of raw, cinematic landscape, this extraordinary retreat home was on a revered and award-winning wilderness reserve. Set into a backdrop of wild mountains, rivers and lochs where red deer roam the ridge lines, golden eagles ride the wind and Highland cows graze the ancient landscape. Our guests ate from the land — vibrant, nourishing meals grown just steps away.
Whether through photography workshops, journaling and sketching, meditation and yoga, fireside drumming beneath the stars, foraging or fierce cold swims, our guests were invited to reset and open up to their creative potential
6 days/5 nights. 10 guests. One extraordinary place.
RETREAT ITINERARY
Transformation
Fireside drumming and ceremony with Henry — an elemental journey of rhythm.
Sound therapy session with Donnah — deep rest and energetic renewal through vibration.
Wild swim and fireside lunch — Cleanse and purify with fire and water.
Wilderness
Ranger-led hikes (from gentle forest walks to more challenging peaks).
Foraging walk with a local plant expert — learning nature’s edible secrets.
Free time to explore the land, bike mountain trails, swim or visit the wildcat programme.
Creative Expression
Photography workshops.
Journaling and Automatic writing— access the unconscious mind and creative expression.
Cyanotype workshop — creating sun-prints with found objects and light.
Wellness
Daily yoga and meditation to ground body and mind.
Fully catered organic meals with locally sourced produce.
Spacious time to rest, reflect, and rewild your senses.
* Massages, somatic healing , facial rejuvenation, cranial and foot reflexology available at an extra cost.
All activities are optional — this is your time. The programme may shift slightly depending on weather, but the spirit remains unchanged: to connect deeply with nature, creativity, and yourself.
THE PLACE
We were honoured to partner with an award-winning wilderness reserve. Over the past two decades, this land has undergone a quiet revolution: a visionary rewilding project that has brought breath back to the landscape.
More than a million trees have been planted. Peatlands — the ancient lungs of the earth — are being restored. Native species return, including the red squirrel and the elusive Scottish wildcat. Once teetering on the brink of extinction, the wildcat has seen its numbers rise from just 50 to over 150, thanks to conservation efforts in partnership with the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland.
Photography Workshops: a journey through the lens
Led by Steve Wallington, a creative and published photographer, these workshops offered more than just technical skill. With a deep understanding of both photography and mental wellbeing, Steve guided guests in using the lens as a tool for connection — to the landscape, to wildlife, and to themselves.
In the serene beauty of the Highlands, we explored nature, capturing intimate portraits, and learning to observe the world with mindful attention. These workshops are a chance to step out of negative thoughts and into the present moment.
At the end of the retreat, guests had the opportunity to print your best images — memories that reflect your journey.
Find, Write, Draw & Create
Anabel Cutler, a journalist for 25 years, and now a trained yoga teacher and reflexology practitioner, brings a deeply intuitive approach to storytelling and creativity.
Through guided journaling and observational sketching, Anabel invites the community to slow down and engage with the world around them — from a fallen leaf to a shadow on the path. Using found objects and sensory prompts, they begin to map their retreat experience in a way that’s uniquely personal and lasting.
These gentle, grounding sessions offer space to reflect, reconnect, and record your journey — no experience needed, just curiosity.
An Invitation to Go Deeper
Let the body soften and truly rest.
For those wanting to deepen their retreat experience, we offered soulful healing practices — massage, reflexology, reiki, and shamanic energy work to complement our daily yoga practice.
Wellness and Therapies
A Conscious Experience
Our retreat is designed with a focus on conscious travel—inviting guests who embrace mindfulness, sustainability, and a deep respect for the land. This is not just a retreat; it’s a chance to give back to the environment and experience the land in a more meaningful way.
Join us for a transformative journey that will nourish your body, mind, and spirit.