Description

Join us this summer for a five night summer art and yoga retreat in Scotland. Our retreat home is a historical castle located in the picturesque Scottish countryside with sweeping green grounds.

Step inside the ancient walls of Dalhousie Castle and you’ll find yourself in a luxurious hotel with a fascinating past. A fortress fit for a king or queen, the castle features blissful spa facilities, award-winning fine dining and 35 beautifully appointed bedrooms (some with four poster beds, naturally).

Standing within its own 11-acre parkland estate on the banks of the River Esk, this 13th century castle is a truly enchanting place to visit whatever the season and won “Scotland’s Castle Hotel of the Year”.

Brimming with over 700 years of history, Dalhousie Castle is the kind of place that could have been plucked from the pages of a fairy-tale. But make no mistake, this ancient castle with its complex arrangement of turrets and towers is very much the real McCoy.

Once the seat of the Ramsay Clan, the castle boasts an illustrious guest list that includes King Edward I, Sir Walter Scott, Oliver Cromwell and Queen Victoria.

Today the castle’s long tradition of hospitality continues, and you can still be assured a royal welcome and the highest standards of food and service at this fine four-star hotel.

Day trips will integrate our yoga classes alongside arts, culture, adventure, and natural beauty. Trips will include visits to small villages, large cities, and outdoor activities.

We’ll enjoy a whisky tour and tasting to sample some of the area’s most popular drink, plus of course a trip to the UK wouldn’t be complete without a high tea experience.

A falconry demo in the green countryside, a full day out to Loch Lomond, including a private boat ride to one of the lake’s islands, as well as a walking tour in the city and an indulgent spa experience are just some of the activities guests have to look forward to!

Yoga

Daily meditation and yoga classes will be offered in a way to relax, stimulate, and help guests grow in their own personal practice.

Classes are open to all levels, beginner to practiced, and can range from gentle and restorative to more vigorous vinyasa flow and ashtanga styles.

Style and class levels will be determined and moulded to fit participating students’ needs, and with a small intimate retreat class size, students will be able to get personalised attention and comfortability to deeply explore their practice.

Depending on each retreat location, classes will be held in a dedicated indoor yoga space and some also offer outdoor options as well for us to use if the weather is agreeable.

Art Projects

This retreat will feature Julian Hyzler from EASEL&LENS to combine a look at creative focus with art projects in sketching and “ifonography” (smartphone photography) throughout the week.

Yoga and meditation classes will be held daily to prepare our bodies and minds to find a creative way to focus on our excursions through the Scottish countryside.

Cuisine

Healthful, vegetarian food is part of the retreat experience, including breakfasts and lunch or dinner daily – either onsite at the amazing restaurants, in the city at some of the top rated locales, or out on our day trips.

We’ll taste the regional specialties at a whisky tour and tasting, indulge in a proper high tea in the city, and enjoy meals from cozy gastropubs to elegant award-winning restaurants.

You won’t leave hungry and you’ll be able to experience how the food is an integral part of this country.

Room options

Each one-of-a-kind room is luxuriously decorated with rich Scottish fabrics and period furniture, worthy of a stay from a royal visitor.

Despite the historic surroundings, the rooms have been designed with today’s discerning guest in mind and come complete with soft Egyptian cotton bed linen, fluffy towels and robes, slippers and Molton Brown toiletries.

All rooms have an en-suite bathroom, flat screen digital TV, direct-dial telephone, iron and ironing board, hairdryer and tea and coffee making facilities. Single and shared rooms are available.

Retreat Price

6 days / 5 nights (Jul 23-28, 2023)

Inclusive Retreat Price = $3,595 (shared room*), +$750 (single room)

Deposit to hold space = $950

Max # Guests = 12
* Guests traveling alone can choose the shared room and we match up based on guest profile. Rooms are spacious with separate beds and private bathrooms.

Includes

• Castle accommodation (spacious bedrooms, each with private bathrooms, linens)
• Daily yoga and art classes
• Daily Breakfast at hotel
• Daily lunch or dinner
• Whisky tour + tasting
• Transportation to/from day trips
• Private boat ride on Loch Lomond with island visit
• Driving tour to castles + southern tip of highlands
• Use of estate premises
• Tour guide on various day trips
• High Tea Afternoon
• Walking tour of Edinburgh + Castle visit
• Rosslyn Chapel visit
• Museum entrances + tour
• Falconry participatory demo on grounds
• Spa day and treatment
• Tips & taxes

Does not include

• Airfare
• Insurance

What past guests have said

“These retreats offer the most incredible way to travel. Erin has every detailed covered and it takes the stress out of international travel. I know I am getting an amazing travel experience at an incredible value. The accommodations are always world-class and the activities and adventures always provide cultural immersion with local experiences. ” CURT \ TEXAS, USA

“Thank you so much, Erin! I can’t imagine a better planned & executed retreat. You really shined and provided our group with an amazing trip. Very grateful to you and hope to enjoy another one of your retreats in the future.”
— CHLOE \ FLORIDA, USA

“Thank you so much for being such a wonderful host. I had an incredible time. The accommodations, the food, the yoga, the day trips…. everything exceeded my expectations. And to top it off, I feel like I’ve made a few really good friends! ” — ANNE \ NEW YORK, USA

“Erin, you’ve made us appreciate yoga, traveling and eating well to another level. And not to mention the friendships we’ve made. Thank you…thank you…Can’t wait to see you AGAIN!!! ” — ELIZABETH \ CALIFORNIA, USA

What to pack

Besides the basic packing and travel needs, here are a few things to think about bringing with you.

• Bathing suit (spa day)
• Yoga clothes
• Smart phone with camera and/or digital camera
• Plug adaptors / converters

How to get here

Bonnyrigg in the area of Edinburgh. Nearest major airports: Edinburgh Airport (EDI), Glasgow Airport (GLA)
Taxis are easy and normally around £35 from EDI to the hotel, and the ride takes under 30 minutes.

Guests can arrive whenever is convenient for them. Check-in is officially at 2pm (earlier depending on availability) and the retreat will start at 6pm for orientation and welcome reception.

Booking

To book your place on this Summer Art and Yoga Retreat in Scotland, send your enquiry to the team who will get back to you within 24 hours.

Get £25 off your first booking when you book through Soul Seed Travel.