Retreats

29 January to 1 February, Mindfulness Based Health and Healing Residential Retreat, Isle of Skye

Led by The Mindfulness Enterprise, this weekend (Thurs 29 Jan – Sun 1 Feb) is “a mindfulness based retreat for mind, body and soul”. Surrounded by the wildness of one of Scotland’s most iconic Hebridean islands, the retreat promises mindfulness and meditation practices, breath work, yoga and Qi Gong, sound bath, polyvagal nervous system practices, somatic practices, compassion-based practices, sharing circles, nature walks and (deep breath) free time in the evenings! Price from £150 per person.

11 March, Nature Flo Art Retreat Day, The Green Inbetween, Moffat, Dumfries and Galloway

Based in the beautiful countryside of Moffat, The Green In Between offers a day of forest bathing and nature therapy. The logic is that time with trees helps reduce anxiety and it’s one we don’t question! The afternoon is spent in ‘child’s play art’. As they say it’s “NOT about talent but about finding your flow state”. We all need more of that!

21 to 22 March, Amanda Hamilton Precision Wellness Weekend, Marine and Lawn Hotel, North Berwick

Amanda Hamilton Precision Wellness weekend North Berwick

Do you feel in need of a physical reboot? Amanda Hamilton’s retreats are more than a break. They’re science-led retreats that will give you a taste of guided fasting, energising movement, and therapeutic spa rituals, along with nourishing meals all designed to trigger a full-body reboot. Most importantly, through in-depth workshops, you’ll leave with a personalised wellness plan tailored to your goals, so your transformation doesn’t end when the weekend does.

Creativity: arts and crafts

31 January, Introduction to Figure Painting, Leith School of Art, Edinburgh

There are lots of short courses and weekend workshops on all the time at the Leith School of Art. We’ve got our eye on this one. If you loved drawing when you were younger and have a basic understanding of how to do it, this workshop will scratch that creative itch and teach you how to paint directly from the model.

25 February, Throwing and tiles taster course, Cyan Clayworks, Leith, Edinburgh

If you’ve ever fancied indulging your inner Demi Moore and getting your hands on some clay, this popular workshop is a good place to start. A taster before you commit to longer courses, you’ll get to try your hand at making tiles using coloured slips and have a go at throwing on a wheel. There’s loads of hands-on support. We guarantee you’ll be whistling the Righteous Brothers as you leave.

14 and 15 March, Root Down – Mixed Media Drawing in the Allotments, Paintbox School of Art, Cockenzie, East Lothian

Want to play with a mix of materials in your art making? This is a two-day workshop about the importance of removal and renewal – a metaphor for life if we ever heard one. Using a wide range of drawing materials, you’ll learn how to build a rich surface creating depth and interest , inspired by the hotchpotch of garden paraphernalia and plant life in the allotments of the studio garden.

8 to 17 April, Isle of Skye Textile Experience, Wild Art Scotland, Skye

If you want to do a deep-dive into textiles and textilemaking, this 10 day retreat is for you. Have a go at hand spinning, felting and peg loom weaving, spend a day using hand-dyed wool and silk, experiment with plant fibres and get a deeper understanding of heritage crafts and their contemporary uses. All in an absolute stunner of a location!

Creativity: Writing

6 to 9 January, Acorn Writing Retreat, The Oak Tree Inn, Balmaha, Loch Lomond

Recover your muse and kickstart your writing on the bonnie bonnie banks of Loch Lomond. Acorn Writing Retreats offer structured yet restorative experiences for writers to focus on their projects without distractions. Sounds good to us! They host regular three to four day residential retreats across Scotland, including at the multi-award-winning Oak Tree Inn beside Loch Lomond. Each retreat focuses on writing sessions, inspiration short activities, mindful breaks, delicious food and plenty of encouragement to reignite your passion for writing.

23 February to 28 February, February Retreat, Moniack Mhor, Kiltarlity, Inverness-shire

As winter gently unfurls into spring, why not ease yourself back into a writing practice? Get away from everything and dedicate some time to write. Moniack Mhor is known for its guided retreats, but hosts regular quiet spaces like these throughout the year, where you can plan your day around mealtimes and focus without distraction. Sounds like bliss.

25 February to 8 March, Writing workshop and retreat, Eilean Shona

Eilean Shona writing retreat — Eilean Shona. Photograph: Brendan Cox

Where better to indulge your creative muse than the island that inspired J M Barrie to write Peter Pan? As much a space to retreat as it is to write, start each day with a loch swim or some yoga, take on a writing challenge, explore the island, take a boat trip or book in a session with the retreat’s resident author. Take the space to be uninterrupted and see what unfolds. From Wed 25 Feb – Sun 8 March. Prices start from £1800 for a week.

Festivals

2 to 5 January, The Wonder Festival, Cambo Gardens, Fife

Wild saunas, forest bathing, dementia woodland walks, silent discos and a full moon wassail are just a few of the events taking place in the beautiful setting of Cambo Gardens. A celebration of nature and the outdoors in the darkest time of the year, it’s a great way to start the new year.

Fitness and yoga

9 to 11 January, Yoga retreat, Branxholme Castle, Teviotdale, Hawick

Head to the Borders for a yoga escape that will get your year off to a great start. Branxholme Castle is a beautiful and historic setting to get comfortable in child’s pose. This two-night yoga retreat includes accommodation in the castle’s B and B and holiday cottages and is open to everyone – new starters and yoga bunnies alike.

21 March, Spring Wild Yoga Weekend Retreat, Wild Yoga Glencoe, Glencoe

Spring is a time of rising energy, as we move out of winter the days are becoming longer and lighter. The equinox is a great time to seize that. This retreat will have you practicing indoors and out, connecting to the wild and to yourself, whatever your level of experience. Expect Chi Gong, workshops, talks and a vision boarding session to help set your intentions for the season ahead.

Food and nutrition

14 January, Introduction To Bread, Ballintaggart Cook School, Ballintaggart Farm

There’s nothing like having the satisfaction of making something from scratch. If you were a banana bread maker in lockdown with an itch for something a little more challenging, Ballintaggart’s breadmaking course (one of many cookery courses they offer) is for you. Aimed at complete beginners or those with only a little experience in bread making, all the ingredients, class notes and recipes are included along with a goody bag and lunch.

21 January, Wellness Wednesday: Immune Boosting Nutrition, Edinburgh New Town Cookery School, Edinburgh

Determined to stave off the colds and fatigue this year? You need this comprehensive workshop exploring the powerful connection between food and immune function. This hands-on class will teach you practical strategies for building resilience through gut health, anti-inflammatory eating, and seasonal nutrition.

7 February, Scotland Vegan Festival, Paisley

If you experimented with Veganuary and got the bug, then this one day festival will open up the vegan world to you! World street food, ethical brands and other vegans all in one spot sharing health tips to boost your wellbeing and inspiring talks and demos where you can learn from vegan experts.

Spas and saunas

25 January, Wild Scottish Sauna Day Retreat, Forbes of Kingennie

This is not just wild sauna. It’s a day of yoga, wood-fired aromatherapy and cold water therapy too. Think sound baths and meditation, locally sourced food and time to reflect. It’s an invitation to reconnect with the self. The ideal day retreat for a new year reset.

Anytime, Wellness spa break, Stobo Castle, Peebles

Sometimes a spa weekend is all that’s needed. Stobo Castle is a great place to indulge in a Wellness Spa Break. Stay for two nights and enjoy a Rejuvenating Water Massage and one 55-minute treatment: The De-Stress Ritual, The Bliss Body Ritual or The Cyfolia Organic Radiance Boosting Facial. You can add on from their extensive range of fitness, relaxation, dance and aqua classes, take a guided country walk and max out exclusive access to their Japanese Water Gardens.

Space for yourself

5 February, Find Your Voice Workshops For Women, Salisbury Centre, Edinburgh

Feel the need to speak up and be heard? Regain strength in your own voice. Every month at the Salisbury Centre in Edinburgh you’ll find a trauma-informed workshop for women exploring voice through the body. Find Your Voice combines somatic movement, breathwork and vocal exploration to support nervous system regulation, embodied self-awareness and a more free, grounded and expressive voice.

Outdoors

2 January to 5 January, Intro Winter Skills Course, Wild Roots Guiding, Fort William

If you love getting out and up in the summer months, it doesn’t have to end come winter. Wild Roots Guiding run regular comprehensive four day winter skills and winter walking courses. From a base of little or no experience, you’ll get all the skills you need to make the mountains your own in the depths of a Scottish winter.

8 and 9 March, Women’s Winter Gathering, Roam West, Fort William

Women's winter gathering fort william — Photograph: Hannah Shaw

The Scottish Highlands in winter can be challenging and intimidating, but they can also be awe-inspiring and magical. So skill up! Girls on Hills run lots of winter 101 weekends, but why not celebrate International Women’s Day with a group of empowered women in the mountains at their Winter Gathering? With workshops on winter hillwalking, winter skills, winter running and cold water dipping, the hills will become your winter playground.

Anytime, Forest Bathing, Glen Dye Cabins and Cottages, Strachan, Banchory

The Japanese rate forest bathing, or shirin yoku, so highly it’s now an optional part of their care system. Reducing stress, improving sleep, lowering blood pressure and improving mood – where do we sign up? Open to guests at Glen Dye, it’s just another excuse to book a weekend break and reset breathing in the fresh forest air.

Time for you: Retreats, workshops and festivals to reset and launch your 2026 goals

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