Scotland with Kate Forsyth - Creative Writing Retreat (Draft)

Day 1 - Sunday 5^th October - Welcome to Edinburgh

Arrive in the architecturally stunning city of Edinburgh today and settle into your lovely accommodation.

Depending on your arrival time, you may wish to head out and explore the winding alleys and cobblestone streets. Full of history, the capital is very accessible by foot.

Perhaps wander up the Royal Mile, visiting St Giles’ Cathedral (which has been a working church for over 900 years) and Edinburgh Castle, which offers sweeping views over the city.

This evening, we meet to enjoy a Welcome Dinner together at Twenty Princess Street.

Overnight: Edinburgh | Hotel Indigo
Meals Included: Dinner

Day 2 - Monday 6^th October - Travelling to Perthshire and check in to our Scottish Highland retreat.

After a hearty Scottish breakfast, we have our first workshop (09.30 to 11.30) at the hotel.

Following the workshop there is some free time to grab a quick lunch at the hotel.

We then transfer to our next location, when you can sit back and enjoy the scenic drive to the beautiful Highland region of Perthshire.

En route, we will stop to stretch our legs in Linlithgow with a tour of Linlithgow Palace.

Late afternoon we check in to Crieff Hydro Hotel and Resort, our highland base for the next 7 nights.

Enjoying the latter half of the afternoon to relax, or take a short walk to explore the Resort.

We meet in the hotel for dinner and perhaps a dram to toast our Scottish Highland retreat.

Overnight: Crieff | Crieff Hydro Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast and Dinner

Day 3 - Tuesday 7^th October - Workshop 2 and free afternoon to explore

Enjoy a relaxed breakfast and we then have our second workshop (09.30-11.30).

The afternoon is then free to explore the Resort, or slightly further afield. There are some wonderful local walks to enjoy at your leisure.

Alternatively, just curl up with a book and enjoy the breathtaking Highland views from your window.

The evening is free for you to dine at your leisure and there are some lovely boutique restaurants in the village to choose from.

Overnight: Crieff | Crieff Hydro Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 4 - Wednesday 8^th October - Workshop 3 and afternoon cruise on Loch Lomond

The morning is set aside for workshop 3 (09:30-11:30).

The afternoon is full of adventure as we travel to the world-renowned Loch Lomond for a relaxing but inspirational cruise on the famous Loch.

We then return to our Highland retreat and an evening of your own leisure.

Overnight: Crieff | Crieff Hydro Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 5 - Thursday 9^th October - Workshop 4 and free afternoon

The morning is set aside for workshop 4 (09:30-11:30), then the afternoon and evening is free for you to relax and use the facilities on the resort, or wander into the village and explore the artisan Highland shops.

Overnight: Crieff | Crieff Hydro Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 6 - Friday 10^th October - Workshop 5 and Highlands tour

After breakfast, we continue with workshop 5 (09:30-11:30).

Then following a hearty lunch at the hotel, we have a half-day Highlands tour with our experienced local guide.

We will visit some of the neighbouring villages of Aberfeldy and Pitlochry, and then follow in the footsteps of previous visitors including William Wordsworth, Queen Victoria and J M W Turner as you wander through the magnificent landscape at The Hermitage.

On our way back, we stop at a beautiful Scottish restaurant in Dunkeld and reminisce about the day’s adventure.

Overnight: Crieff | Crieff Hydro Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Walk Details: 7 km / 4 miles | 140 m / 459 ft elevation gain | Approx: 2 hrs

Day 7 - Saturday 11^th October - Workshop 6 and Whisky Distillery Tour

Workshop 6 (09:30-11:30).

After lunch we visit a local Highland Whisky Distillery for a tour, some learnings and perhaps a dram of “Uisge beatha” –  the water of life.

The evening is free to enjoy at a relaxed pace back at the resort, or one last opportunity to dine in the village.

Overnight: Crieff | Crieff Hydro Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 8 - Sunday 12^th October - Workshop 7 and farewell dinner

Today is our final workshop together (09:30-11:30).

The afternoon is free for you to enjoy the resort facilities or local walks one last time, but the evening is set aside for something special – a final farewell dinner set in a spectacular Scottish Georgian castle. Something truly to remember!

Overnight: Crieff | Crieff Hydro Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast and Dinner

Day 9 - Monday 13^th October - Departure Day

After our final hearty Scottish breakfast, we check out of the hotel and make our way back to Edinburgh.

En route we stop off in the Kingdom of Fife for a leg-stretch at Falkland Palace and some lunch before continuing on towards our drop-off at Waverley Station, Edinburgh by 16.00/16:30.

Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch