Join us from November 17-29, 2027, nestled in the Highlands near the storied shores of Loch Ness and the cobbled streets of Edinburgh, as the ghosts of history and literature gather ’round.
We’ll tour tragic battlegrounds, ancient castles, and prehistoric sites, and journey through the forest of the Cairngorms, the mountains of Glencoe and the Isle of Skye, and the legendary stairwells and closes of Edinburgh—writing as we go for 12 nights and 13 days.
And new for 2027, we’ll have our Fare-thee-Well dinner at Edinburgh Castle with a private viewing of the Crown Jewels!
November is our favourite month to visit Scotland, when tourists are few and the fierce beauty of the Highlands puts on a wild display.
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 draw nearer to 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 $8,395 CAD per person based on double occupancy (approx. $6,055 USD) taxes included. We don’t pair strangers on our writing retreats, and it’s up to you if you want to bring someone to share your room and costs or if you’d rather travel solo—see below for details.
Join authors Dr. Gerard Collins and Janie Simpson in November 2027 for a focused writing retreat in the Scottish Highlands and Lowlands. In Scotland, inspiration rises up from the craggy, moss-flocked landscape and engulfs you in wonder. Over 12 nights and 13 days, our private coach will take us 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 in the 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 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 unlikely to be ready for skiers just yet, you can enjoy the incredible scenery from the cozy interior of the café while you grab a bit of lunch for yourself.
And then, we climb back aboard our 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 nine nights at the stunning Loch Ness Country House Hotel, 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. And best of all, we have the hotel all to ourselves as we’ve booked it for our exclusive use.
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.
New for 2027, on top of all breakfasts and suppers while we’re in the Highlands, your registration also includes three lunches—two at the Loch Ness Country House plus lunch at the Cawdor Tavern. We’ve also included all breakfasts at the Apex Grassmarket Hotel and a private supper at Edinburgh Castle!
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, 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.
Several times since our first retreat there in 2023, we’ve celebrated the U.S. 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, with considerable help from our hosts.
All breakfasts and suppers at the Loch Ness Country House are included in your registration, and new for 2027, we’ll provide lunch after both group writing sessions. 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 the Loch Ness Country House 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, on the days when lunch is not included in your registration, you can still order lunch or afternoon tea from the chef at Loch Ness Country House on your own, 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.
There’s a plethora of culinary delights to be enjoyed at the Loch Ness Country House, with plenty of space to stretch out and do some writing, reading, walking, or daydreaming in silence on a fine, late-fall day. There’s a gorgeous, quiet walking trail just behind the hotel, and several of our participants have 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 this historic 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. Rooms are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.
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 plasma TVs, DVD players, 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 write
On a Go and Write! retreat, you’ll travel in the company of like-minded souls, some of whom have written only a little and others who have published extensively. Our participants include emerging and published writers of all genres—poets, dramatists, children’s authors, romance writers, memoirists, and more—as well as their friends, family and spouses.
We recommend that you bring a writing journal everywhere to capture once-in-a-lifetime moments on the spot. There will be many opportunities to sketch with words on this retreat, and the immediacy encourages nuance and detail in your writing. There are some moments and characters that can only be captured vividly on the coach, enjoying a coffee in a quiet café, or watching the sun rise over the Highland hills.
Go and Write! retreat-goers, including non-writing folk, 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.
Participants
Go and Write! retreat participants range from beginning writers who’ve never published and simply want to start jotting down their thoughts, to award-winning, experienced writers who’ve published extensively through traditional publishing houses. Previous attendees include playwrights, poets, fantasy and science fiction writers, children’s authors, novelists, television producers, romance writers, short story, travel, and memoir writers, and everything in between.
We host as many new or emerging writers as we do established writers who simply need time away from the daily grind, a refresher on best writing practices, and support to replenish their souls or kickstart their writing. There is no application process to attend our retreats, but we do meet with each new-to-us, potential participant by Zoom. This allows us to get to know each other a wee bit to help gauge if our retreats might be a good fit. The video meeting is also an efficient way for you to ask us questions about specific retreats or how we shape our retreats in general.
We often have non-writers join us on retreats as part of a “double” registration, accompanying a writer, and they’re invited to participate in as few or as many of the writing activities as they wish. These folks are welcome to attend all of the meals, readings, writing sessions, and any outings that are part of the program, as these elements are included in everyone’s registration. Over the years, we’ve found the vast majority of travel companions are respectful of boundaries, grateful for the creative and quiet bubble we work hard to create and maintain, and supportive of the writer in their lives, which makes them most welcome on our retreats.
Group readings, writing sessions, and individual feedback
We will host relaxed, private group readings on a couple of occasions throughout the retreat, where you’ll have the chance to share your writing aloud with your fellow participants, if you like, without pressure. And while, of course you can chat about your work with each other during the retreat, we don’t accommodate peer or group critiques on our retreats, and we ask participants not to share their work with each other or seek peer feedback—this expectation is widely appreciated by our participants. For more information about our rationale for this decision, visit our Frequently Asked Questions page.
We will also have two group writing sessions guided by Gerard, an award-winning author and university educator, and each participant will have two one-on-one chats with Gerard as well, where you’ll have the opportunity to talk with him about your specific writing projects, goals, and challenges.
All registered participants will be asked to submit a short writing sample in advance of the retreat. We don’t require potential participants to take writing “tests” or to have a minimum skill level to join us, but we do ask registered participants to be open to learning, and at a certain point before the retreat, participants will submit a short writing sample, for our eyes only.
We have a Go and Write! Alumni group of about 250 members, and we’re proud that several of these folks return for multiple retreats—it’s a rarity, in fact, for us to host a retreat without at least a few Go and Write! regulars.
Your sample stays with us and provides a foundation for your one-on-one discussion about your writing with Gerard, and it’s entirely up to you how and if you decide to implement any recommendations. Janie reads the sample to get an overall sense of your writing, and Gerard reads each sample multiple times and prepares his written commentary in advance, and he shares it with you—and only you—during the retreat. The writing samples also help Gerard customize the workshops for each retreat.
For those who are new to writing, you can trust that we respect the courage it takes to share your writing, and Gerard treats your submission with great care and respect as he’s preparing his written commentary.
For those who are already experienced writers, Gerard is a multi-award-winning author who has taught writing for decades, and he’s also a professional editor and has privately mentored several authors who’ve gone on to win multiple awards; other published authors who’ve joined us in the past have said they got a lot out of his commentary and insights, and have applied them in their work going forward.
Time and again, writers tell us these one-on-one discussions and Gerard’s feedback are their favourite part of our retreats.
We invite you to have a look at our Frequently Asked Questions page for more information.
All participants—including those who have joined us in the past—are required to review and agree to abide by our updated Expectations, Rules, and Conditions before we will accept registration.
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, with 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.
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 take 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.
And if you want a whisky tour without leaving the comfort of Loch Ness Country House, hotel staff will be happy to give you your very own whisky tasting!
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.
Day trip #1: Urquhart Castle, Clava Cairns, Cawdor Tavern, and Culloden Battlefield
Urquhart Castle
We’ll wake 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 gift shop!), 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 the brilliant Tilda Swinton 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. Your lunch and a drink here are included in your registration, and then you’re welcome to linger in the tavern or take a short stroll. 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. We’ll have a guided tour of the battlefield—dress warmly!—and have a chance to visit the museum and giftshop before we head back to our Highland home for supper.
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, deep in thought.
Day trip #2: “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 our way to the Isle of Skye 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. Our plans include a chance to explore inside the castle as well, 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 the breathtaking Quiraing, the site of so many iconic photos, before returning to the Loch Ness Country House Hotel.
While it’s undoubtedly a trek to get there and we couldn’t possibly see everything in a day, if you’re the kind of person—as we are—that has always felt the call of Skye, it’s worth the journey. 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, to choose stops 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 supper 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, the world’s first UNESCO City of Literature
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 coveted Old Town Grassmarket area. The Apex Grassmarket Hotel has a swimming pool and gym, and we’ve reserved an upgraded, castle-view room for you. While there are some fabulous breakfast spots very close to the hotel, new for 2027, we’ve also included all three breakfasts at the Apex restaurant in your registration, so you don’t have to think about it.
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.
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.
We’ve long been fans of the Scottish Storytelling Centre, and we encourage you to see what they have on offer during our free day. They host performances in their theatre and Storyteller Court, and the centre has a great café called The Haggis Box where you might want to grab a bite to eat (not just haggis) and a refreshment.
Fare-thee-Well at Edinburgh Castle: a private supper and viewing of the Crown Jewels
The last day of our retreat in Scotland will be unlike anything we’ve ever done before. We always have one final gathering for readings, maybe a song or two, and a meal together before we part ways. So, for the first time ever, we’re holding our grand “Fare Thee Well” supper at one of Europe’s most venerable sites: Edinburgh Castle. Note: While our hotel is not far from Edinburgh Castle (approximately a 5-minute walk), it is an uphill climb, over uneven cobblestones and up steep staircases. You may wish to pre-arrange a taxi or take a slightly longer but less steep route up the Royal Mile.
When you climb Castle Hill, you walk in the footsteps of soldiers, kings and queens—and even the odd pirate or two.
~ www.edinburghcastle.scot
Built in the Iron Age on a hill that overlooks the city, Edinburgh Castle has been home to kings and queens for centuries. It is one of Europe’s most besieged fortresses and has changed hands many times, including the night raid led by the nephew of Robert the Bruce In 1314 in which the Scots retook the castle from the English.
Queen Margaret, later made a saint, died there in 1093—the chapel built in her honour by her son, King David I, is Edinburgh’s oldest building. In 1457, the king of Burgundy gifted Mons Meg, “one of the greatest medieval cannons ever made,” to King James II—that cannon still sits at Edinburgh Castle. As well, the Great Hall, completed in 1511 for King James IV, hosted grand banquets and state events.
Above the door to the Royal Palace are the gilded initials MAH, for Mary Queen of Scots and her second husband Henry Stewart, Lord Darnley. Mary gave birth to James VI in the Royal Palace in 1566. He became king of Scotland at 13 months old and united the crowns of Scotland and England in 1603.
From the 1650s, Edinburgh Castle became a significant military base with its defences enhanced in response to the Jacobite Risings of 1689–1746, and it remains an active military base to this day.
As a special treat, besides our Fare-thee-Well supper in Edinburgh Castle’s Gate House, we’ll also have a private viewing of the famous “Honours of Scotland,” the oldest Crown jewels in Britain. Made of gold, silver, and precious gems, the Crown Jewels were created in Scotland and Italy during the reigns of James IV and James V. The crown, sceptre, and sword of state were first used together for the coronation of a monarch in 1543, when Mary Queen of Scots came to the throne.
Because Edinburgh Castle remains an active military base, we can’t tour the castle itself in the evening, so we encourage you to get tickets to explore it during the day, on your own.
Join us on our next adventure
Our Mountains, Lochs, and Lore 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. We host writers of various genres, including novelists and playwrights, screenwriters, memoirists, and poets, 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. Many travel solo, and some bring a travel companion. 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!
- Small group (numbers limited to approx. 16 participants)
- 9 nights at the Loch Ness Country House in Inverness
- 9 breakfasts and 9 suppers (on your own for drinks) included
- 2 lunches included
- Onsite licensed restaurant
- All bedrooms have ensuite/private bathroom
- Room upgrades available
- 3 nights at the Apex Grassmarket Hotel in Edinburgh
- 3 breakfasts included
- Upgraded Castle View Rooms with ensuite/private bathroom
- Day trips and significant locales / events
- Village of Pitlochry
- Cairngorms National Park
- Urquhart Castle
- Clava Cairns standing stones
- Cawdor Tavern—lunch and a drink included, as well as meal gratuity
- Culloden Battlefield
- Isle of Skye
- Mountains of Glencoe
- Edinburgh, UNESCO City of Literature
- Edinburgh Castle private supper and a drink at The Gatehouse and private viewing of the Crown Jewels—gratuity included
- Land transfers provided by MacNeil Coaches, awarded the International Safe Travels Accreditation from the World Travel & Tourism Council
Write!
- 2 group writing sessions
- 2 one-on-one chats with Dr. Gerard Collins
- Professional, honest, and thoughtful commentary on your pre-submitted writing sample from Gerard, an award-winning author and university educator—helpful regardless of your writing level
- The creative company of other writers
- Group readings and conversation on several evenings
- Non-writing participants are welcome to take part in as few or as many of the elements of the retreat 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 is 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.
“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
The costs listed below differ, depending on the venue/room you select for the Highlands leg of the retreat. Regardless of which accommodation you choose at the Loch Ness Country House Hotel, all registrations include an upgraded, Castle View room at the Apex Grassmarket Hotel in Edinburgh.
Rooms will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis.
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 your 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, unless otherwise specified, 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.
Double occupancy starts at $8,395 CAD (approx. $6,055 USD), per person, for a Standard Room at the Loch Ness Country House, including applicable taxes.
Single occupancy starts at $10,295 CAD (approx. $7,425 USD) for a Standard Room at the Loch Ness Country House, including applicable taxes.
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- Junior Suite upgrade at the Loch Ness Country House: add $350 CAD
- Executive Suite upgrade at the Loch Ness Country House: add $450 CAD
- Cottage Two upgrade at the Loch Ness Country House: add $500 CAD
- Cottage One with log fireplace and larger living space upgrade at the Loch Ness Country House: add $650 CAD
Rates shown do not include credit card processing fees charged by our provider. For those paying with a Canadian credit card, there is an additional 2.4% cost and that fee is non-refundable. As of March 1, 2026, in addition to the base processing fees, our provider charges an additional 1.5% to transactions made with cards issued outside of Canada.
For Canadians, we’re able to offer an e-transfer option to save you processing fees. Some Interac accounts place daily or dollar amount limits on transactions; you are required to schedule your payment(s) so the full balance of your invoice is paid on or before the due date.
Most people choose to pay by credit card for convenience, and some cards also have an associated trip insurance policy. It is your responsibility to research and understand details around any insurance coverage associated with your credit card. For more information about the importance of trip insurance, see below, and also visit our Expectations, Rules, and Refunds page.
Payment schedule
*We can create an individual payment plan at no additional cost. Payment schedule will be adjusted for registrants who sign up after deadlines.
- At registration, to confirm your space: $1,500 CAD per person, non-refundable, non-transferable deposit
- On or before May 7, 2027: next instalment of $3,500 CAD per person is due
- On or before July 9, 2027: 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 later 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 cancellation insurance as soon as they register for a Go and Write! retreat, and also interruption and health insurance—whatever policy fits your situation. Many companies also offer “cancel for any reason” policies, if you think this might suit your needs.
We have seen situations where participants who choose NOT to arrange for insurance lose all of their investment, and we’ve seen participants who HAVE chosen to arrange for insurance recoup 100% of their investment.
Participants are responsible to research and make arrangements for their own insurance.
Participants are also 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 travel 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. This also applies to e-transfers and wire transfers—Interac sometimes places limits on daily number of transactions and dollar amounts, and wire transfers can take a week or more. You are required to schedule your payment(s) so the full balance of your invoice is paid on or before the due date. 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, including, but not limited to, injury, illness, death.
- If you cancel on or before May 6, 2027, 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 7 and July 8, 2027, 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 9, 2027, 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.
- 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.
Expectations, rules, and refunds—required reading for all new and returning participants
We have updated our Expectations, Rules and Refunds page. All new and returning Go and Write! participants and travel companions are required to review and acknowledge agreement with the contents before registering for a Go and Write! retreat.
Additional, important 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!
Entry requirement to the U.K.
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, and go through the government site, not a third party, or you might get scammed or pay more than you need to. Learn more here.
Amenities
The Loch Ness Country House has no elevator and participants may be required to climb stairs to get to their bedrooms. Many streets in Edinburgh are made of cobblestone and can be difficult to navigate, and there are several steep staircases in the city. You will be required to walk to get to the Edinburgh Castle for our Fare-thee-Well dinner or to arrange private transportation. 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.
Logistics
The retreat begins on November 17 and ends on November 29, 2027. Early in the morning of November 17, we will gather at the Edinburgh Airport to meet our private coach, and we recommend you plan your flight so you arrive the day before.
The retreat ends the morning of November 29—there is no formal retreat programming that morning, and check-out at the Apex Hotel is at 11:00 a.m.
Please communicate with us before making flight arrangements.
