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Retreat to ancient sanctuary land in the mystical Scottish highlands to nurture your body, mind and soul. Join master herbalist Kelsey Barrett, world-renowned wilderness survival skills teacher Willow Lohr, and your highland hostess Catherine Stewart, for a deep and nurturing nature-based immersion into the Spirit of Scotland.
You will be based in Applecross, a remote and ancient fishing village on the west coast of the Scottish highlands and adventure into the Scottish countryside including a day trip to explore the Isle of Skye via the stunning and historic Eilean Donan Castle.Β
This fully catered 10 nights, 9 day womenβs retreat* takes place in a beautiful luxury eco-lodge Eagle Rock, perched in solitary splendor on the site of an ancient Viking watchfire. Enjoy the comfort and glorious views from Eagle Rock while basking in an infinity hot-tub perched over a sea-loch called the Inner Sound. We will be nourished daily with a base of local organic whole foods and herbal teas native to the lands – and if you choose, indulge with native whiskyβs on our feast night of Uisge Beath (water of life)! Expand into the wild invitation of the land for ocean swimming, guided historical and meditative walks, and a series of interwoven workshops as Willow, Kelsey and Catherine blend their offerings in dream-work, old celtic wisdom and myth, herb, plant and animal lore and meaningful Summer Solstice ceremony.
The Solstices mark important physical, energetic and mystical changes on the planet. The Summer Solstice signals the buried transition from the abundance of Brigidβs summer to the start of the dark, wintry days, a time of quietude known as the Realm of Women. Willow will guide our solstice ritual through shamanic journeying, exploring the myths and stories of Celtic womenβs wit and ancient wisdom all while on Eagle Rockβs stone circle that was laid by the ancient Celts.
Surrounding the days of the solstice you will be immersed into nature, tradition, your own ancestral connection and connection to the Celtic spirit with insights and practices that will enrich your daily life.
Learn the plants animals native to the highlands, and explore their relationship to people past and present, while enjoying plant-craft workshops combining traditional Scottish herbs and plants and medicine wheel-based teachings. Listen to the secrets of the plants, lichens and stones used for thousands of years to make and keep fire, which help us understand the ways highland fauna have evolved to survive in this harsh and beautiful wilderness.Β
You will spend a morning on a local croft, gathering plants and participating in traditional dying processes with native Scottish elders. Connect to your roots and your ancestors through guided meditation, journaling, ceremony and daily dreamwork. You will learn about plants of special significance at Summer Solstice and songs to celebrate its abundance and as we gather at the fire on our final Outlander inspired feast night, to remind ourselves how we personally can keep the light burning in the coming dark months. On the last night, weβll dress for the gods and enjoy an authentic highland feast and pose for individual portraits to commemorate our time together.
Join us forβ¦Β
- Local seasonal meals**
- Daily native herbal infusions
- Day trip to the Isle of Skye, via Eilean Donan Castle
- Solstice ritual
- Celtic Fire Practice: Making and keeping fire in Neolithic Scotland till present day
- Dreamwork and herbal lore with ancestral inquiry
- Native plant dye workshop on an original croft
- Outlander highland feastΒ
- Whisky-tasting feast
- Luxury massageΒ
- Yoga 4 mornings
- Transport to and from Inverness to Eagle Rock
- Shared accommodations (2 people per room)
- Maximum 12 participants
*Women and women-identifiedΒ
**One meal at the local pub, and one meal at the Walled Garden are not included
Willow Lohr Bio
Willow has spent most of her life living in the remoter parts of the Scottish Highlands. Although born in the Netherlands, the rugged conditions and dramatic landscape of Scotland is where she feels most at home. After completing her degree and MPhil in Philosophy, Willow’s occupations have always been determined by two mottos – work with a good view before you and be creative with your hands. As such she has become an accomplished craftswoman in many traditional skills, spanning from Neolithic times to the present.
Living on a smallholding with rare breed sheep, hens and bees, Willow holds an Expert Bee-Masterβs Certificate. She taught herself spinning, tanning, leatherwork, felting, bone and wood carving, indigenous arts, plant crafts and tipi making. In 2003 this led her to a three year apprenticeship in wilderness-living skills and survival techniques under Juha Rankinen (Sweden).
She went on to instruct bushcraft courses for Ray Mears. In 2009 Willow joined Woodsmoke. There she was given the opportunity to design, develop and lead courses which were virtually non-existent in the UK, such as Buckskin Tanning, Bone & Antler carving and Mukluk moccasin making. In 2012 she was awarded the Hazel-Handled Instructors’ knife by Ben and Lisa of Woodsmoke.
Currently she is working as a freelance bushcraft and hand-craft instructor in Scotland, designing and instructing courses for professional institutions, schools, corporate events, international bushcraft companies, local groups and individuals.
Catherine Stewart
Catherine has spent much of the last decade creating Eagle Rock, her haven, and a highland home to many who regularly return to Scotland. A South African-born Scot, she has spent most of her professional life working in communication and education. She has a Masters in Film and Television from the University of London, a Masters in Creative Writing with J.M Coetzee, and an Honours in Philosophy of Literature. Β Catherine is expert in arts-based facilitation techniques and in bringing diverse stakeholders together to work towards a common goal. Catherineβs focus is on bringing out each individualβs voice and helping to weave these together with purpose and power. Eagle Rock and its surrounds are a base and sanctuary for people to come together for rest, inspiration, and fellowship.Β
Kelsey Barrett
Kelsey Barrett is a master herbalist on a mission to transform contemporary culture through the power of plants. Her approach is based on cultivating intimacy with self, health and the natural world by way of herbal medicine.Β
Kelseyβs clinical practice focuses on womenβs health, hormone balance, stress management, high density nutrition, and herbal detoxification. Her teaching blends mordern science with ancient folklore to inspire health through our inherent connection to nature and our bodies. Kelsey’s Scot-Irish ancestry has lead her on pilgrimages back to her indigenious lands to reclaim kinship with the land.
She has studied Clinical Herbalism at Berkeley Herbal Center, organic gardening at Esalen Institute in Big Sur, and with master herbalists Julia Graves, Matthew Wood and Dr. William Morris. Her herbal and environmental insights have been published in Vogue, Edible East Bay, GOOD Magazine and Gestalten. She is currently based in California and has a private practice, coaching clients in life-changing strategies for long term wellness.