Join us from November 23—December 5, 2025 as we sense the ghosts of history and literature gather ’round, nestled in near the storied shores of Loch Ness.
We’ll tour tragic battlegrounds, ancient castles, and prehistoric sites and journey through the forest of the Cairngorms, the mountains of Glencoe, and the legendary cobbled streets, stairwells, and closes of Edinburgh—writing as we go for 12 nights and 13 days.
November and December are some of the best months to visit Scotland, when tourists are few and the fierce beauty of the Highlands puts on a wild display just for you. With an average temperature of 5-14 degrees Celsius (41-57 Fahrenheit) at that time of year, and plenty of striking, autumnal atmosphere, there’s a sense of coziness and comfort when you’ve settled next to a roaring log fire with only your thoughts and your writing journal.
Of course, up in the Highlands, we might even be gifted with a surprise sprinkle of snow as we head into the holiday season, which only enhances the magic. Regardless, there’ll be numerous opportunities for a cuppa tea or wee dram with which to coorie in, plus the beginning of the Christmas market season throughout Scotland.
Costs start at $6,195 CAD per person (approx. $4,270 USD) taxes included, based on double occupancy. See below for details.
Join authors Dr. Gerard Collins and Janie Simpson this autumn for a focused writing retreat in the Scottish Highlands.
In Scotland, inspiration rises up from the craggy, moss-flocked landscape and engulfs you in wonder. Over 12 nights and 13 days, we’ll travel by private coach from Edinburgh to the Highlands, venturing north through the magical Cairngorm Mountains to our highland hideaway. We’ll travel back in time to places of renown and infamy, heroism and grandeur. Then, after a week and a half of being immersed in writing, relaxation and adventure, we’re off to Edinburgh, UNESCO City of Literature, via the iconic and storied mountains of Glencoe.
All that, plus a writing retreat in a place that builds monuments to its most brilliant writers and thrives on antiquity, rebellion, and mystery as much as it does the heather, thistle, and skyward castles.
Kind words from one of our recent retreat participants:
“…I am close to finishing my memoir draft, and I give all the credit to Go and Write! for providing the environment that enabled me to write and organize my thoughts. I have opened myself up to the possibilities ahead, and I’m feeling better about my writing than I have in years…”
~ Gloria R.B.
To hear more from previous participants, visit our Testimonials page.
Away wi’ ye
On the first day of our retreat, we’ll gather at the Edinburgh Airport mid-morning before we board our private coach and journey north together. Participants should be sure to speak with us about specific timing before booking flights.
Along the winding way through the hills, we’ll stretch our legs in the village of Pitlochry, whose name comes from the Scottish Gaelic Pit Cloich Aire, meaning “place of the Sentinel Stone.” Originally a Pictish settlement, Pitlochry has several small shops and cafés and we’ll take a short break here so you can have a wee look about.
Then, it’s off to the Cairngorms, the largest National Park in the United Kingdom, home to about 25% of the UK’s most threatened species.
Our private coach will meander through the mountains in a gentle introduction to the wonders that the Highland hills have to offer. We’ll stop at the Cairngorm Mountain ski lodge—while the mountain’s not open for the ski season yet, they are open to visitors for a quick hike or to enjoy the incredible scenery from the cozy interior of the cafe while you grab a bit of lunch.
And then, we climb back aboard our private coach and venture even deeper into the Highlands to our home for the next week and a half.
Our home in the Scottish Highlands
On the first—and longest—leg of our trip, we’ll spend 9 nights, 10 days at the stunning Loch Ness Country House Hotel, booked for our writers’ exclusive use and winner of the 2024 Trip Advisor Travellers’ Choice Award. We’ve hosted several retreats at this highland venue and have found, over the years, that a week is just not enough time to soak up their warm, Scottish hospitality.
We couldn’t imagine a better place for a writer to hide out from a weary world, with no cares greater than to decide where your stories or poems are going, whether to have one more cup of tea while you nod off by the fire, sit at the window of your private ensuite bedroom, or to spend an afternoon at a pub or café in nearby Inverness.
The Loch Ness Country House Hotel was originally built in 1710 as a hunting lodge for the Duke of Gordon, and the staff honour the old-world, traditional hospitality that has been practiced for generations in the Highlands—fires in the hearths, breakfast each morning, and a healthy variety of fresh-made dinners each evening prepared by their AA Rosette award-winning restaurant. Here in this grand old lodge, we can clear our minds, relax, break bread together, get to know each other, and do a LOT of writing.
At the Loch Ness Country House, we’ll have several afternoons and evenings in quiet companionship as we read, research, and write by fireside
Since we began hosting writing retreats at the Loch Ness Country House, Arran, Daniel, Graeme, and the entire staff have done everything in their power—with great success—to make our groups feel welcome and to help us create an atmosphere conducive to writing, relaxing, and inspiring conversations.
We’ve arranged, with help from our gracious hosts, for some culinary surprises again this year. Since our first retreat in 2023, we’ve celebrated the American Thanksgiving at the Loch Ness Country House with a feast that brought happy tears to many eyes, and we’re happy to be hosting the holiday again this year.
All breakfasts and dinners at the Loch Ness Country House are included in your registration, and while we’ll incorporate some 3-course meals during our time in the Highlands, we’ll also have several lighter dinners. The hotel also boasts a great selection of local craft ales, fine wines, and—of course—Highland single malt Scotch whisky for you to sample.
One of the key features of our venue is its proximity to Inverness, and while you’re encouraged to venture into the town by quick taxi ride, we also understand that, once writers find themselves in the elusive “zone,” we’re loathe to leave it. To this end, the chef at Loch Ness Country House is also happy to make you a lunch or afternoon tea to enjoy in your room or one of the common areas.
We have exclusive use of this venue for the entire duration of our time there—the privacy and flexibility we enjoy at the Loch Ness Country House is a unique feature of our highland retreat and a testament to our great relationship with the hotel staff and management.
While there’s a plethora of culinary delights to be enjoyed at the Loch Ness Country House, there’s also plenty of space to stretch out and do some writing, reading, walking, or daydreaming in silence on a fine, late-fall day. There is a gorgeous and quiet walking trail just behind the hotel, and last autumn, several of our participants followed the trail down through the woods, along the fields, and beside the canal, all the way into Inverness.
Imagine yourself in the Highlands, with no other expectations put upon you than to write to your heart’s content, sit by the fire, eat and drink as you wish, and explore the most beautiful countryside imaginable on the hotel’s seven acres of grounds.
After a day of exploring, grab a journal, settle by the fire at the Loch Ness Country House Hotel, and sketch your adventures with words.
Rooms at the Loch Ness Country House Hotel—upgrades available
All of the rooms at the Loch Ness Country House are lovely and tastefully decorated, in keeping with the beautiful Highland country house, and room service is available in all rooms.
There are inexpensive room upgrades, providing additional luxuries and space, and rooms will be filled on a first come, first served basis. We have incorporated some photos and general room descriptions from the hotel website below.
Loch Ness Classic Standard Room*
Full of charm, these twin and double rooms have been decorated in rich classic colours, providing a warm and textured feel—a nod to the original Georgian period of the hotel. These rooms also include large, en-suite marble bathrooms with showers, complimentary luxury Scottish toiletries, and a bathrobe. A plasma TV and DVD player are also included.
*The starting price for your retreat is based on one of these classic standard rooms.
Loch Ness Junior Suite
These striking suites offer the luxury of space to think, write, and relax. Classic and contemporary in style, with tones of carousel red, amber cream and rich cherry wood, you can enjoy the separate seating area overlooking the stunning gardens. These suites feature large en-suite marble bathrooms with showers, complimentary luxury Scottish toiletries, and a bathrobe. The suites also include two plasma TVs, DVD player, and excellent in-room dining facilities.
Loch Ness Executive Suite
Enjoy an extra bit of luxury in the Executive Suite at Loch Ness Country House Hotel. This bright and spacious room overlooks the front gardens and features a King size, four-poster bed draped in luxurious sea green and cream linens. It also features a decadent chaise-lounge as well as a large, en-suite marble bathroom with shower, complimentary luxury Scottish toiletries, and a bathrobe. Excellent in-room dining facilities make for an intimate in-room evening dining experience if you want to stay focused on your writing.
Loch Ness Cottages
Beautifully decorated in a comfortable, contemporary style, these charming and character-filled cottages reflect the essence of a Highland escape. Set within the hotel gardens, they offer every service and benefit of the main building but with the addition of privacy and plenty of outdoor space.
Note: Even though there are two separate bedrooms in the cottages, if you choose a cottage upgrade, you will not be expected to share the space with anyone else; however, these cottages are ideal for friends, siblings, parent/adult child, etc. who want to share the space and retreat cost, including the cost of the upgrade.
Garden Cottage One
Has two bedrooms with one double bed and two twin beds, a large living room complete with open log fire, and bathroom and bathrobes. Large plasma TV, DVD and CD player included.
Garden COTTAGE Two
Has two bedrooms with one double bed and two twin beds. A small living room, bathroom and bathrobes, and TV, DVD and CD player included.
Time to play
The emphasis for our extended time at the Loch Ness Country House is relaxation, focus, and inspiration for writing—a chance to recharge and find some peace in a venue that prides itself on its hospitality. We’ll host two group writing sessions and you’ll have a couple of one-on-one chats about your writing with Gerard as well, loads of conversations at breakfast and supper, and plenty of quiet time for writing.
We’ll also try to arrange for at least one night of music with Janie and Gerard; Janie plays harp while Gerard plays guitar, and together they sing folk songs from Ireland, Scotland, England, Canada, and the United States. Their aspirations are modest, as they offer their musical abilities for the entertainment of those who wish to partake. Between the poetry and the songs, it makes for an intimate evening that also happens to be a lot of fun and usually winds up in a singalong.
Things to do nearby
Inverness—escape to the Hub of the Highlands
The Loch Ness Country House Hotel is about five minutes from the storied city of Inverness, close enough to catch a taxi ride into town for a day of walking about, shopping, having lunch or a wee dram while you do a little writing.
While you’re in town, why not check out Leakey’s book shop, which boasts a collection of rare and antiquarian books, or the Inverness Museum and Art Gallery and its collection of Pictish stones. And if you’d like to stay focused on literary experiences, you can also visit Inverness Castle, where Shakespeare’s MacBeth killed King Duncan.
Highland Whisky
The Highlands are by far the biggest whisky-producing region in Scotland, and our hotel is only a half-hour away from two acclaimed distilleries: The Singleton of Glen Ord and Tomatin Highland Single Malt, the latter being recently awarded the ‘Scotch Whisky Producer of the Year 2022’ and ‘Outstanding Spirits Producer of the Year 2022’ by one of the world’s leading drinks awards, International Wine and Spirit Competition. We’ve sampled the Singleton whisky at the Loch Ness Country House for ourselves, and it’s exceptional. If participants wish to have a distillery tour to witness how whisky is made and hear the history of this ancient craft, the hotel staff will be happy to help coordinate a tour for you. We often have couples join us on retreat, and a distillery tour also makes a nice outing for a non-writing partner.
Don’t forget to write…
During our 10 days in the Highlands, you’ll have creative and inspiring writing sessions, opportunities to talk about your own writing and the sample you’re invited to submit in advance, and time to devote yourself to the craft of writing. As well, you’ll find yourself in the company of like-minded souls, some of whom have written only a little and others who’ve already published; and while there’s never any pressure to write, you’ll always find the encouragement to do so.
We’ll enjoy private group readings on some evenings throughout the retreat, where you’ll have the opportunity to share your writing with your fellow participants, if you like—without pressure.
Exploring the region
We’ve made our home base in the Highlands at Loch Ness Country House for good reason—it’s easily one of the most welcoming, relaxing, and inspiring places we’ve ever hosted a retreat, plus there’s plenty to see and do nearby. While we’ll be focused on writing, we’re in the Highlands—so we absolutely need to do some exploring.
Urquhart Castle, Clava Cairns, Cawdor Tavern, and Culloden Battlefield
Urquhart Castle
We’ll wake up this morning and grab a quick breakfast before climbing aboard our private coach and venturing out for the day. Our first stop will be Urquhart Castle, perched on the shores of Loch Ness and just a short drive from our hotel.
The present Urquhart Castle was founded in the thirteenth century but is built on the remains of much earlier buildings that date as far back as the 500s. Radiocarbon dating has proven that there was a huge fort on the south-west corner of the site between the 5th and 11th centuries.
~www.europeanwaterways.com
Once we’ve had a chance to explore the castle (and the great giftshop!), we’ll continue our time-travel to the mysterious standing stones that have inspired artists and writers for millennia.
Clava Cairns
True fans of Outlander will know the 4,000-year old Clava Cairns as the “stand-in” standing stones for the fictional Craigh Na Dun, which play a pivotal role in the novel and TV series. Besides the famous standing stones, Clava Cairns consists of three Bronze Age burial chambers which have survived the centuries, while two of the cairns feature a passageway that leads inward, with a noticeable drop in temperature as one reaches the centre. The third cairn was once used as a funeral pyre for cremation. The site contains a range of prehistoric burial monuments and the remains of a medieval chapel.
The mystical Clava Cairns
To stand at Clava Cairns on a still, silent autumn morning is to bear witness to the mystical history and the enduring nature of the Scottish Highlands, where ancient cairns and standing stones whisper stories that we can only imagine.
In a world that roars chaos, sometimes it’s hard to know what’s real or what might be considered truly sacred. A visit here will speak to your soul, perhaps even satisfy the longing for something both solid and spiritual. Here in this place of serenity is where you’ll most appreciate our preference for offseason travel as we are ofttimes the only people here.
Cawdor Tavern
Cawdor Tavern, “The cosiest place for a great family lunch!”
~ Tilda Swinton & Family, Nairn
How’s that for a star-packed review? If the Cawdor Tavern is fit for Tilda and her family, it certainly gets the Go and Write! green light. One of our participants asked a staff person whether they ever see the brilliant film actress at the tavern, to which they replied that she comes in often. Having experienced the food and atmosphere several times for ourselves, we can understand why.
After our visit to Clava Cairns, we’ll bring you to this tavern that was named for Cawdor Castle, made famous by Shakespeare’s Macbeth. We’re on our own for lunch or a short stroll, here. Cawdor Tavern is situated in the conservation village of Cawdor, very near its namesake castle, and strives to be “a haven for locals and visitors alike to enjoy quality dining, fine malts, interesting ales, and an excellent wine selection.” We like it because it’s a very cool Scottish pub, the kind of place you’d like to go and hang out for a while and get inspired.
Culloden
Once we’ve filled our bellies and had a rest at the tavern, we’ll make our way to the Culloden Battlefield, which marks the spot of the last major battle on British soil.
Culloden Clans marker
The wild moor at Culloden is the resting place of 1,500 Jacobite and 50 Government soldiers who fought and died here in 1746. Today, you can walk along the battle lines and see the graves of the soldiers beside the memorial cairn in the centre of the battlefield. You’ll be free to explore the battlefield on your own and visit the museum inside before we head back to our Highland home for dinner.
We’ve found that, after a day trip where we’ve seen, heard, and felt the astounding history of the highlands, many of our participants appreciate the opportunity to spend the rest of the evening in solitude or writing in quiet companionship by the fireside, relaxing with their thoughts.
“O’er the Sea to Skye”
No trip to the Highlands is complete without heeding the call to the Isle of Skye, the largest and most northerly of the Inner Hebrides islands of Scotland. The isle, whose name origins remain a mystery, is quintessential Scotland and, thanks to the famous song—made even more famous as the opening theme for Outlander—it’s the place that comes to mind for many when they picture Scotland. Here are two of our favourite versions of the classic, one with Griogair Labhruidh singing in Gaelic, and the other featuring the late, beloved Sinéad O’Connor.
Eilean Donan Castle
Our first stop on this day trip will be the Eilean Donan Castle—easily the most famous and spectacular of all the Highland castles—so we can appreciate the moment and allow for photographs of this magnificent structure. And for the first time, our plans include taking a tour inside the castle, to feel what it’s like to walk that bridge and enter the doors.
Eilean Donan, which means “island of Donnán,” is likely named after Donnán of Eigg, a 6th century Irish saint who came to Scotland around 580 AD. The castle was in ruins following the Jacobite rising, and some 200 years later, was lovingly restored.
“For the best part of 200 years, the stark ruins of Eilean Donan lay neglected, abandoned and open to the elements, until Lt Colonel John Macrae-Gilstrap bought the island in 1911. Along with his Clerk of Works, Farquar Macrae, he dedicated the next 20 years of his life to the reconstruction of Eilean Donan, restoring her to her former glory. The castle was rebuilt according to the surviving ground plan of earlier phases and was formally completed in the July of 1932.”
~ www.eileandonancastle.com
After we’ve had a chance to explore Scotland’s most photographed castle, then it’s on to Portree, the adorable town that is the capital of Skye, where we’ll stop for lunch on our own or a quick walkabout; the choice is yours.
We’ll next venture on to see Kilt Rock and The Quiraing, with plenty of stops for photos, before returning to the Loch Ness Country House Hotel.
While it’s undoubtedly a trek to get there, if you’re the kind of person—as we are—that has always felt the call of Skye, it’s worth the journey. While we couldn’t possibly see everything, our groups consistently tell us they are deeply pleased that we take the day to visit the island, and we’ve worked closely with our coach driver, Donald MacNeil of award-winning MacNeil Coaches (who kindly took this photo of one of our groups), to choose places that will give us the Skye experience we all crave.
The Road to Edinburgh: Glencoe and beyond
On the afternoon of our last full day in the Highlands, we’ll gather in the cozy writing lounge, with its crackling log fire, to share stories before we head into the dining room for our last group dinner at the Loch Ness Country House. The next morning there will be time for a quick breakfast before we say goodbye to the incredible hotel staff—and the Highlands—and board our private coach for Edinburgh.
Along the way, though, the magic continues with a stop at the heartbreaking mountains of Glencoe.
Glencoe
Glencoe endures as one of the most awe-inspiring places on earth and also one of the most tragic. Her breath-taking mountains were used in the opening scenes of Outlander and for the outdoor scenes of Ardsmuir Prison, and were also the site of the bloodiest massacre in Scottish history.
Beauty and tragedy, even raw savagery, play a huge role in the history of the Highlands and, aye, in the history of humanity itself. The massacre at Glencoe both challenges the heart and stirs the imagination, just as tragedy in life forms who we are and incites creativity.
We’ll stop for a good stretch at the Glencoe National Nature Reserve, where you can take a hike and grab some lunch, and maybe take the time to sketch the scene with words. These mountains have featured in many iconic films, including Harry Potter, Outlaw King, The 39 Steps, Braveheart, Rob Roy and Skyfall.
Let the harrowing, haunting sadness of Highlands history seep into your bones—and take notes, for there is where you will find your greatest art. In the years to come, you can return in your mind, with the help of your journals and photographs, to the places like Culloden, Clava Cairns, and Glencoe that inspire you.
EDINBURGH
Edinburgh is a traveler’s dream, especially if you’re a writer. We’ve chosen a lovely place for our three-night stay, and it’s right in the Old Town. The Apex Grassmarket Hotel has a swimming pool and gym, and we’ve reserved an upgraded, castle-view room for you.
Edinburgh is a grand, multi-faceted city with tremendous history, so we’ve chosen to stay in a spot that gives you access to as much of that history, art, and gothic glory, as well as pubs and restaurants, as possible—all of it within a few minutes’ walk so you can make the most of your time there.
Just outside our hotel, you’ll find yourself immersed in the Grassmarket area, formed around the 1300s, and moments away from the famous Royal Mile. The videos below give a great overview of both locales.
We’re also a 5-minute walk—uphill, mind you!—from the one of the most impressive and exciting castles in all of Western Europe: Edinburgh Castle.
When you climb Castle Hill, you will walk in the footsteps of soldiers, kings and queens—and even the odd pirate or two.
~ www.edinburghcastle.scot
It’s worth taking the time to properly explore this imposing and impressive structure, the scene of so many important historic events. There are various tours available, and you can even book their afternoon tea experience, which includes admission to the castle.
If you’re looking for some great old pubs nearby, check out The White Hart Inn—Edinburgh’s oldest pub, established in 1516, with ties to Robbie Burns, whose poetry can be found written on beams in the pub—just across the street from your hotel room.
We highly recommend that you take a day to explore, writing and seeing whatever you like as you go. You’ll be surrounded by pubs, restaurants and cafés, shops both wee and huge, The Writers’ Museum, The National Edinburgh museum, St. Giles Cathedral, and the Festival Theatre.
There are also green spaces like The Meadows and Princes Street Gardens as well, and coffee-houses like Summerhall Café and the famous Elephant House, where a young J.K. Rowling is reputed to have written some of the Harry Potter series of books. The original coffee house suffered a fire and the business has relocated, but there is still fascinating information about it here. There’s still feel a certain thrill of wonderment just standing in the spot where creativity swept a young single mother away to an imaginary Hogwarts, in the full shadow of Edinburgh Castle. That realization alone might be worth a selfie or two, and a toast at a nearby pub.
And don’t forget that Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander series was also filmed here, in part. You can book a guided walking tour that includes visits to the location of “Jamie’s Print Shop” and the World’s End Pub, so named because, in the 16th century Edinburgh was a walled city with the gates to the city just outside the pub. To the people of Edinburgh back then, their world ended at those gates where the pub now stands. Of course, Outlander fans know that The World’s End also just happens to be Dougal Mackenzie’s favourite watering hole.
Furthermore, once we get to Edinburgh, there are several locations for Outlander fans to seek out, many within walking distance of our hotel: the Tolbooth Jail (where Claire delivered medical supplies and blankets to prisoners from Lallybroch), Holyrood House (where Jamie & Claire lived with Bonnie Prince Charlie and attended lavish parties), Tweeddale Court (where Claire is reunited with Fergus and learns he’s lost his hand), and the White Horse Tavern, where Claire pulls up in her carriage in Voyager. And about two miles from Edinburgh Castle is Craigmillar Castle, a.k.a. Ardsmuir Prison where Jamie is held prisoner after the Battle of Culloden.
A bonus this time of year is that the Edinburgh Christmas markets have opened, and the entire city—nay, the entire nation of Scotland—will have decked out and lit up for the holidays. So you’ll experience a taste of Scotland at Christmastime and perhaps indulge in a little Christmas shopping in the very place that inspired a great deal of J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series, including a street that resembles the Diagon Alley.
With more than 50 bookshops, Edinburgh is a great home base for a few days, especially for writers. We highly recommend that you book a tour of Holyrood House, the new King Charles’ official residence in Scotland and the place Mary, Queen of Scots and Bonny Prince Charlie once called home. If you’re looking for other literary inspiration while we’re in Auld Reekie, here’s a link that sets out several ideas to get your literary juices flowing.
Scottish Storytelling Centre
We’ve long been fans of the Scottish Storytelling Centre, and once again, we’re working with them to give our writers an unforgettable literary experience.
When we reached out to our contacts there to see what we might be able to include in our itinerary, the staff at the centre were pleased to share that local storytellers, the Burgh Blatherers, will host their annual Winter Warmer on one of the evenings we’re in Edinburgh. We snapped up tickets for an evening performance right away, and those are included in your registration.
The performance will take place in their Storyteller Court, and the centre has a great cafe called The Haggis Box where you might want to grab a bite to eat (not just haggis) and a refreshment before the performance.
Ae fond fare-thee-well
On our last day, we’ll gather late that afternoon at The Wee Pub, Scotland’s smallest pub, which we’ll have all to ourselves! Right beside Biddy Mulligan’s, The Wee Pub is the perfect size for our group and we’ll treat you to a light buffet and say goodbye in style.
We first stumbled across this pub in 2022—the Queen’s funeral was taking place the next day, and several establishments were planning to close for the duration, so we spoke to the manager at Biddy Mulligan’s who suggested we hire The Wee Pub for the afternoon. And so we hosted what Gerard dubbed “An Irish Wake for an English Queen in a Scottish Pub.”
This time around, we’ll simply enjoy the chance to toast a fond fare-thee-well to the friends we’ve made and to this majestic country that, undoubtedly, will have provided us with memories to last the rest of our days.
Join us on our next adventure
This 13-day Go and Write! retreat in Scotland is designed to satisfy both your desire for adventure and your need to find time to write, along with the thoughtful and respectful guidance of an award-winning author and mentor. Some of our travellers aren’t writers at all, though they often travel with writers. The vast majority, though, are writers of various genres, including novelists and playwrights, screenwriters, memoirists, and poets, and are at various stages of their writing life. We get as many new or emerging writers as we do established writers who simply need time away from the daily grind to refresh their souls or kickstart their writing.
You’ll travel in the company of like-minded souls, some of whom have written only a little and others who have published extensively. Go and Write! travellers often have a tough time choosing their favourite part of our retreats, but the lasting friendships and memorable moments that could only happen when a bunch of writers go traveling together top most lists.
What’s included on this Go and Write! retreat
Go!
- 9 nights at the Loch Ness Country House in Inverness
- 9 breakfasts and 9 dinners included
- Onsite licensed restaurant
- All bedrooms have ensuite/private bathroom
- Room upgrades available
- 3 nights at the Apex Grassmarket Hotel in Edinburgh
- Upgraded Castle View Rooms with ensuite/private bathroom
- Fare-thee-well buffet at The Wee Pub
- Day trips and significant locales / events
- Village of Pitlochry
- Cairngorms National Park
- Urquhart Castle
- Clava Cairns standing stones
- Culloden Battlefield
- Isle of Skye
- Mountains of Glencoe
- Edinburgh, UNESCO City of Literature
- The Burgh Blatherer’s “Winter Warmer” performance at the Scottish Storytelling Centre
- Land transfers provided by MacNeil Coaches, awarded the International Safe Travels Accreditation from the World Travel & Tourism Council
Write!
- Two creative and inspiring writing sessions
- Two opportunities to chat one-on-one with Gerard Collins
- Professional, honest, and thoughtful written commentary on your pre-submitted sample, from an award-winning author and university educator—helpful regardless of your writing level
- The company of other writers
- Group readings
- Non-writing participants are welcome to join in as much of the programming as they wish
- Ample time and opportunity for writing, idea-gathering, and solitude
A major difference between Go and Write! and most travel companies or writing retreats is the personalized aspect of our tours. We ensure there’s both social time and alone time built into the itinerary, as well as plenty of time for wandering and gathering thoughts in a solitary fashion. We encourage writers to give each other space, although social time also guaranteed, if that’s what you’d like. Note, also, that we don’t compel strangers to share a room as most writers prefer solitude or, at most, the company of a friend or family member of their own choosing. In all, we pride ourselves on being open and inclusive and, being writers ourselves first and foremost, we imagine the best writing retreat possible and try our best to deliver on that ideal.
Kind words from one of our 2022 retreat participants:
“I am beginning to reflect on the joy the trip has brought me… The tenderness and care you showed us was so evident in the choices of lodging, the comfortable bus rides, and the knowledgeable guides. It was your day-to-day presence, while checking on all of us, that was especially meaningful. I am not certain I can explain the impact, but I feel it has awakened a longing in me and an understanding of something deeper that was not previously there.”
~ Ann K., Go and Write! alumnus
Cost
Double occupancy, per person, sharing a room: $6,195 CAD including applicable taxes (approx. $4,270 USD) before room upgrades*
Single occupancy: $7,895 CAD including applicable taxes (approx. $5,440 USD) before room upgrades*
*Costs start based on a Classic Standard Room at the Loch Ness Country House Hotel; rooms are allocated on first-come/first-served basis and you may not be able to get a standard room, in which case you will be required to upgrade your room to attend.
All rooms at the Apex Grassmarket Hotel have been upgraded to Castle View Rooms and are already included in your registration.
Upgrades (specific to the Loch Ness Country House Hotel)
- Junior Suite upgrade: add $350 CAD total, including tax, for the full 9-night stay
- Executive Suite upgrade: add $450 CAD total, including tax, for the full 9-night stay
- Cottage Two upgrade: add $500 CAD total, including tax, for the full 9-night stay
- Cottage One with log fireplace and larger living space upgrade: add $650 CAD total, including tax, for the full 9-night stay
Contact us for more information and to reserve your space, and to see which rooms are available.
See below for the payment schedule and specific cancellation policy associated with this retreat.
Please note that there is NOT a surcharge for single travellers. The true cost of the retreat is based on the single price, but if you bring someone else, you share the room costs, which lowers the price per person. We do not pair strangers on our retreats, and numbers will be limited to approximately 16 registrants to allow for a more intimate, connected, and focused experience.
Listed price is in Canadian dollars and includes tax; gratuities are at participants’ discretion. We have estimated the price in US dollars for our American participants’ convenience, based on the rate of exchange at the time of publication; the actual cost in American dollars will depend on the conversion rate at time of payment.
Rates shown do not include credit card processing fees. For those paying by credit card, we will have to add 2.4% and that fee is non-refundable. For Canadians, we’re able to offer an e-transfer option to save you processing fees. For other registrants, we also accept international bank transfers; please research the processing fees charged by your bank as you’re responsible to pay those fees. Contact us for more information.
Some people choose to pay by credit card, particularly if it has an associated trip insurance policy. It is your responsibility to research and understand details around any insurance coverage associated with your credit card. Visit our Expectations, Rules, and Refunds page for more information about the importance of trip insurance.
Register by contacting us.
Payment schedule
*Timing can be adjusted for registrants who sign up after deadlines, and we can create an individual payment plan at no additional cost.
- At registration, to confirm your space: $1,200 CAD per person, non-refundable, non-transferable deposit
- On or before May 24, 2025: next instalment of $3,000 CAD per person is due
- On or before July 24, 2025: balance remaining is due
Fees are in Canadian dollars and include applicable taxes. If you’re interested in paying in instalments within this schedule, please let us know so that can be arranged—we do not charge an additional fee for this service. Payment deadlines must be met or you risk forfeiting your space, and the cancellation and refunds policy and dates specific to this retreat apply (see below). Registrants who run into difficulties meeting the payment schedule must contact us immediately to see if alternate arrangements can be made.
See additional details about missed payments, cancellations, and refunds below. We may extend these dates for late registrants.
Insurance, cancellations
You are responsible for arranging for trip insurance, including cancellation insurance! Life can throw curveballs at us: we HIGHLY recommend that all participants get travel insurance, including cancellation, interruption, and health insurance, as soon as they register for a Go and Write! retreat.
We have seen situations where participants who have NOT arranged for insurance lose all of their investment when they’ve had to cancel, and we’ve seen participants who HAVE arranged for insurance recoup 100% of their investment.
Participants are responsible to research and make arrangements for their own insurance.
Participants are responsible to research the implications of travel restrictions and requirements at home and abroad before and at the time of travel. Ensure you have everything you need so you aren’t turned away from establishments or airports.
Missed payments, cancellation, and refunds — please note this policy and these dates are specific to this retreat
We strongly encourage you to purchase the appropriate trip insurance, and to do so at the appropriate time.
Payment deadlines must be met or you risk forfeiting your space and the cancellation and refunds policy and dates specific to this retreat apply. If you run into difficulties meeting the payment schedule, you must contact us immediately to see if alternate arrangements can be made.
- Your deposit as well as any processing fees associated with retreat payment(s) are 100% non-refundable and non-transferable, regardless of the timing or circumstances of your cancellation.
- If you cancel on or before May 23, 2025, any other payments you’ve made to us are returned to you, less the non-refundable deposit and any payment processing fees.
- If you cancel between May 24 and July 23, 2025, you forfeit 75% of all monies paid, in addition to the non-refundable deposit and any processing fees.
- If you cancel on or after July 24, 2025, no fees paid will be returned.
- You must notify us, in writing, of your intentions to cancel.
While we present our information in good faith, sometimes things happen that are beyond our control and circumstances may force us to change certain aspects of the retreat.
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- If the retreat or any aspect of the retreat needs to be postponed or adjusted, we will make every attempt to reschedule or offer an alternative.
- We can only offer refunds if our providers also refund monies to us.
- Prices are subject to change due to provider and supplier changes and availability, unforeseen travel conditions, cancellations, and culpability.
Due to contractual obligations with our suppliers, we cannot make exceptions to the cancellation policy, regardless of the reason.
All participants (and travel companions, if applicable) are required to review our Expectations, Rules and Refunds page and acknowledge agreement with the contents before registering for a Go and Write! retreat.
A few notes
Passport
A valid passport is required—you could be turned away at the airport if your passport is within a few months of expiry, so be sure to check your passport expiry date against what the host country will allow. This almost happened to us—it was only by the grace of the airport attendant that we were allowed to board the plane!
New for 2025: Entry requirement to the U.K.
New for 2025, all travellers to the United Kingdom are required to apply for an electronic travel authorization (ETA). We applied for ours and it was easy and quick; that said, we highly recommend applying well in advance. It costs £10 (approx. $13 USD, $18 CAD) to apply. Learn more here.
Amenities
We are staying in a venue with no elevator; participants may be required to climb stairs to get to their bedrooms. At some points during our retreat, there may be limited or no Wi-Fi or cellular phone service, as well as no air conditioning in our accommodations. Rooms are assigned on a first-come, first served basis, with input from the venues and with some exceptions, and not all rooms are the same.
Upgrades
Some upgrades are possible and depend on availability.
Logistics
The retreat begins in Edinburgh on November 23 and ends in Edinburgh on December 5, 2025. We will gather at the Edinburgh Airport on the morning of November 23 and our private coach will pick us up there as a group. The retreat will end at the Apex Grassmarket Hotel in Edinburgh the morning of December 5; the Edinburgh Airport is just a 20-minute taxi ride from the hotel. Please communicate with us before making flight arrangements.
Check out our 2025 retreat lineup!
Return to Kingsbrae: St. Andrews by-the-Sea, New Brunswick, Canada, May 18-25, 2025
Return to Kingsbrae: St. Andrews by-the-Sea, New Brunswick, Canada, June 4-11, 2025
Retreat to the New World: Newfoundland, Canada, August 7-23, 2025
Return to Kingsbrae: St. Andrews by-the-Sea, New Brunswick, Canada, September 17-24, 2025
A Grand Writing Tour of Ireland: October 4-26, 2025
Mountains, Lochs, and Lore: Scotland 2025
Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire: England 2025