Women's Retreat in the Scottish Highlands - May 2021
These three days are an opportunity to relax and unwind within the stunning natural beauty of the Scottish Highlands. Be nurtured with gentle yoga, connections with other women and optional group acitivities or solitary walks in the incredible surroundings. Detoxify and nourish your body and spirit with delicious plantbased food, quiet spacious moments and pure highland air. This retreat promises to be a nurturing and restorative experience by the shores of Loch Rannoch.
Taking time out and finding a space to breathe easy is invaluable and helps to replenish our souls so that we return to our work and families with renewed vigour and enthusiasm. The company of other women helps uplift us, so that we feel our strength and know our own wisdom. "Women forget how much we can inspire one another. No one understands us like us." Alex Elle
There will be a daily programe of optional activities to engage in, such as gentle yoga and morning meditation, heart-lifting singing sessions, evening circle with heartwarming cacao and foot nurturing experience, inspirational creative writing exercises and fun games.
The afternoons will be unstructured so you can choose what best supports you. You may feel drawn to relax in the two acres of mixed garden or enjoy a solitary walk down to the lake (you may even be tempted by some wild swimming) or you might like to hike in the nearby hills, keeping your eyes peeled for local wildlife including red squirrel, deer and various birds of prey. Alternatively, you may decide to get cosy by the fire in one of the living rooms and get lost in a book while sipping hot chocolate.
Taking time out and finding a space to breathe easy is invaluable and helps to replenish our souls so that we return to our work and families with renewed vigour and enthusiasm. The company of other women helps uplift us, so that we feel our strength and know our own wisdom. "Women forget how much we can inspire one another. No one understands us like us." Alex Elle
There will be a daily programe of optional activities to engage in, such as gentle yoga and morning meditation, heart-lifting singing sessions, evening circle with heartwarming cacao and foot nurturing experience, inspirational creative writing exercises and fun games.
The afternoons will be unstructured so you can choose what best supports you. You may feel drawn to relax in the two acres of mixed garden or enjoy a solitary walk down to the lake (you may even be tempted by some wild swimming) or you might like to hike in the nearby hills, keeping your eyes peeled for local wildlife including red squirrel, deer and various birds of prey. Alternatively, you may decide to get cosy by the fire in one of the living rooms and get lost in a book while sipping hot chocolate.
Location by Loch Rannoch
Bunrannoch House is a large Victorian Lodge, dating back to 1860, located close to Loch Rannoch in a peaceful highland glen. It has consistently received 5 star reviews on Tripadvisor. The house has recently been refurbished retaining its original character and sits within its own large gardens, which contain an abundance of wildlife. The house lies at the eastern end of the 10 mile long Loch Rannoch in Perthshire, in an incredibly tranquil setting, surrounded by some of Scotland's most spectacular scenery, including the 3,553 feet high Schiehallion, the "Fairy Hill of the Caledonians". There is a wide range of wildlife in the peaceful glen, often seen in the gardens of Bunrannoch House, including deer, red squirrels and many birds of prey. It is located approximately 20 miles from the A9, it's less than a 2 hour drive from either Edinburgh or Glasgow. We are happy to facilitate liftshares and train pick ups.
Bunrannoch House has recently been refurbished retaining much of it's origional character. Some of the features include large sash windows, high ceilings, a grand staircase and a real fire in the living room. All twin bedrooms are very comfortable with an ensuite bathroom. The main living room is a large, dual aspect room, with a high ceiling, traditional coving and a real fire. Three large floor to ceiling sash windows provide stunning views across and up the glen. There is a second living room on the ground floor, so plenty of space for gathering together or finding a quiet corner. There is also a large dining room where we will share our meals together.
Bunrannoch House has recently been refurbished retaining much of it's origional character. Some of the features include large sash windows, high ceilings, a grand staircase and a real fire in the living room. All twin bedrooms are very comfortable with an ensuite bathroom. The main living room is a large, dual aspect room, with a high ceiling, traditional coving and a real fire. Three large floor to ceiling sash windows provide stunning views across and up the glen. There is a second living room on the ground floor, so plenty of space for gathering together or finding a quiet corner. There is also a large dining room where we will share our meals together.
“Nature is not a place to visit. It is home.” – Gary Snyder
Nutritious Food
Delicious and nutritious plantbased meals will all be provided throughout the weekend, as well as some delectable homemade cake and raw chocolate treats. Most, if not all food options will be gluten free. Let us know if you have any special requirements.
Optional Acitivities
There will be a range of daily activities which you may choose to engage in (or not). Here are some of the things that will be on offer to help nourish and revitalise you:
- Morning yoga
- Meditation
- Cacao and foot nurturing circle
- Heart warming singing
- 5 Senses mindfulness walk in nature
- Craft activities such as knitting, drawing...
- Making of energy or cacao balls
- Creative writing exercise
- Games and fun activities
- "Emptying your bowl" opportunity
- Reading by the log fire
- Wild swimming
- Solitary walks or time to simply be in nature
- Sharing of tasty and nutritious, plantbased meals
- Appreciation of delicious cakes and yummy raw chocolate treats!
Facilitators - Fiona and Daisy
The retreat will be lovingly held and supported by Daisy Dinwoodie and Fiona Reilly. Both are very experienced in leading groups and holding ceremonies for women. They are creative cooks, with a passion for delicious and nutritious plantbased meals and playful fun.
Fiona is a reflexologist, active listening therapist and doula. She managed a retreat centre in Glastonbury and hosts 1:1 personal retreats at her home in Roslin near Edinburgh. She is passionate about supporting women to find their own power, strength and beauty. She feels there is immense value in women gathering together to connect and support one another and has a natural ability to create communities. Fiona has catered on retreats in Scotland, England, Wales and on the Canary Islands. She leads worskhops on The Joy and Vibrancy of Plantbased Eating.
Daisy is a mother, a birth educator, yoga teacher, song leader, and doula. She has been deeply and joyfully coming together with women for many years, delighting in their connections, marvelling in their uniqueness and in their depths, musing on their offerings to the world and to each other, and facilitating their sharing. She is dedicated to sharing her life passions - collective strength, autonomy and self-discovery within that collection, good nutrition, our own voices and truths, playfulness, music, inquiry and love. She strives to create community and support in the many groups she facilitates and loves to connect women with each other. She is grateful to her husband and three children for the opportunities to keep developing, and to spend time pursuing life’s fulfilling work.
Details and booking
- Dates and Timings: The retreat begins at 5.30pm on the first evening with dinner at 6.30pm. We will conclude our weekend together on Monday morning.
- Venue and Travel: The venue is Bunrannoch House, Kinloch Rannoch near Pitlochery in the Scottish Highlands. It consistently receives 5 star reviews on Tripadvisor and we're thrilled that it's our stunning retreat location. It is located approximately 20 miles from the A9, it's less than a 2 hour drive from either Edinburgh or Glasgow. The nearest railway stations to Bunrannoch House are Rannoch (approximately 17 miles away) and Pitlochry (21 miles). Rannoch is on the scenic West Highland Line, with direct, but infrequent, trains from Glasgow, with a typical journey time of approximately 3 hours. Pitlochry is on the East Coast main line, with direct services from London Kings Cross (one direct train a day), Edinburgh and Glasgow. Typical journey times are approximately 90 minutes from Glasgow and 105 minutes from Edinburgh. We aim to facilitate any train pickups and liftshares.
- Cost: The cost is £295. A deposit of £80 secures your place.
- Booking info: This retreat is limited to 14 people, so book early to avoid disappointment. To book a place or to get more information, email Fiona at 2fionareilly@gmail.com.
We look forward to welcoming you! However you choose to spend your time with us and whichever activities you engage in, we hope you gain soul inspiration, body nourishment, heart rejuvenation and mind relaxation.
Testimonials
"Fiona and Daisy are a perfect combination. Intuitive and wholehearted. They create and hold a beautiful space in which we unfold and come alive to ourselves. In the company of strong, gentle sisters, this is a powerful experience. Nourishing, revealing and grounding. Don't miss the chance to be part of this retreat... and what a stunning location."
"The two retreats I have been on with Daisy and Fiona have lifted me up in absolutely the way I was needing at the time. Home made food, cooked with love, the company of inspiring women, time together to join in activity or song, time enough for individual pause, the utter peace of the countryside all around... I have felt uplifted, inspired, heard, seen, appreciated, energised, calmed. I would whole heartedly recommend a retreat such as this to anyone, regardless of what is happening in your life. It's a place you can nestle in and emerge refreshed."
"Being on a retreat with Fiona and Daisy is such a treat! Their unique way of holding the space for the women present with care, love and joy makes us feel at home and ready for a time of deep connection. I love their complementing personalities, which brings a rich combination of qualities to the group and makes the time shared together a truly special experience."
"Fiona is the perfect host to hold the space for you in whatever way you need. I’ve been on a couple of retreats and both times Fiona has nurtured and nourished me both physically - with awesome food and providing a tranquil environment and spiritually – always present but never invasive. It is a joy to be in her company and experience her peacefulness and down to earth nature."
"Daisy, now that I have trained as a yoga teacher, I can fully appreciate what you do, (though I always knew I loved every sacred moment of my weekly pregnancy yoga class!). Your teaching really embodies the wholeness of yoga. The yoga itself is gentle, it’s an invitation to really connect with your body. And the chat and tea after the yoga is a massively important way of educating yourself as well bonding with other women."
"The two retreats I have been on with Daisy and Fiona have lifted me up in absolutely the way I was needing at the time. Home made food, cooked with love, the company of inspiring women, time together to join in activity or song, time enough for individual pause, the utter peace of the countryside all around... I have felt uplifted, inspired, heard, seen, appreciated, energised, calmed. I would whole heartedly recommend a retreat such as this to anyone, regardless of what is happening in your life. It's a place you can nestle in and emerge refreshed."
"Being on a retreat with Fiona and Daisy is such a treat! Their unique way of holding the space for the women present with care, love and joy makes us feel at home and ready for a time of deep connection. I love their complementing personalities, which brings a rich combination of qualities to the group and makes the time shared together a truly special experience."
"Fiona is the perfect host to hold the space for you in whatever way you need. I’ve been on a couple of retreats and both times Fiona has nurtured and nourished me both physically - with awesome food and providing a tranquil environment and spiritually – always present but never invasive. It is a joy to be in her company and experience her peacefulness and down to earth nature."
"Daisy, now that I have trained as a yoga teacher, I can fully appreciate what you do, (though I always knew I loved every sacred moment of my weekly pregnancy yoga class!). Your teaching really embodies the wholeness of yoga. The yoga itself is gentle, it’s an invitation to really connect with your body. And the chat and tea after the yoga is a massively important way of educating yourself as well bonding with other women."
"Women instinctually know how to nourish each other,
and just being with each other is restorative."
Tanja Taljaard and Azriel Re'Shel
and just being with each other is restorative."
Tanja Taljaard and Azriel Re'Shel
“I felt my lungs inflate with the onrush of scenery—air, mountains, trees, people.
I thought, “This is what it is to be happy.” ― Sylvia Plath, The Bell Jar
I thought, “This is what it is to be happy.” ― Sylvia Plath, The Bell Jar