EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND

FORM + FOCUS

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. *NO PREVIOUS ART OR YOGA BACKGROUND REQUIRED. All levels are welcome, and participation is voluntary. Projects and classes will be offered as a completely exploratory, unintimidating and personal experience.

THE CASTLE

This magnificent yoga retreat will take place in the picturesque Scottish countryside, just a few miles outside of the cultural center of Edinburgh in Scotland’s oldest inhabited castle! 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.

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, our 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.

SURROUNDING AREA

Guests will not only enjoy the villa and encompassing estate, but also the richness of the Scottish cities in the nearby area, including Edinburgh and a visit to a loch in the highlands. Day trips will allow students to add arts, culture, adventure, and natural beauty to their retreat experience. 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!

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 + 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.

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 personalized 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.