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Scotland

Dunskey Estate | October 17-22, 2024

Craft, connection, and story magic. Join a stellar lineup of author faculty and your fellow Writing With the Soul alumni for a truly one of a kind writing retreat at the historic and breathtaking Dunskey Estate in Scotland.

The Details

This fall, we embark on a journey to the rugged & atmospheric coast of Scotland for a magical & intimate adventure away from the busy world so that you can connect with the storyteller within. Explore the castle & its extensive grounds, soak in ancient history amid the ruins, or simply enjoy dining & playing with your fellow storytellers. Every single detail of this retreat has been thoughtfully designed to fill you with inspiration, challenge you as a writer, & help you build community. We might even get to say hello to a ghost or two.

You will need to have samples of your writing to share in a small group setting. These samples can be from a complete or incomplete manuscript.

example of our daily schedule

What to expect:

  • Breakfast
  • Craft Workshop
  • Personal Writing/Free Time
  • Lunch
  • Inspirational Experience on The Estate
  • Excursions like Hiking to Ruins or trekking through the local village and long walks to the coast
  • Coffee, tea & snacks
  • Critique Circle with Author Mentor
  • Dinner
  • Evening Social

Who is The Storyteller's Retreat for?

Our Storyteller's Retreat is the flagship retreat experience of Writing With the Soul, unlike any other writer-focused event out there. Storytellers who want to dive deeper into craft, partake in a critique group setting, or those seeking an unforgettable, magic-infused experience alongside fellow writers will remember this unmatched experience for a lifetime. 

The Location

Secluded in the coastal lowlands & entrenched in living history, Dunksey Estate offers incomparable splendor amidst 2000 acres of Scottish countryside. Located far from the hustle of Glasgow, the estate sits on ancient, untouched land that will transport you back in time. Secluded beaches, enchanting gardens, glens, waterfalls, forests & lochs will make this the perfect blend of wild & mythical. Please see Dunskey’s website to explore this incredible place.

The Location

Secluded in the coastal lowlands & entrenched in living history, Dunksey Estate offers incomparable splendor amidst 2000 acres of Scottish countryside. Located far from the hustle of Glasgow, the estate sits on ancient, untouched land that will transport you back in time. Secluded beaches, enchanting gardens, glens, waterfalls, forests & lochs will make this the perfect blend of wild & mythical. Please see Dunskey’s website to explore this incredible place.

What's Included:

Your accommodations at Dunskey Estate

Delicious breakfasts, lunches, snacks, & dinners

Daily, one-of-a-kind & unforgettable experiences to fill the creative well, personally curated by Adrienne

3 interactive workshop sessions on the craft of storytelling, each hosted by an author on the retreat faculty

5 critique circle sessions to read & receive insights from your cohort & an author mentor on your work

Your exclusive 2024 Fall Storyteller’s Retreat Sweatshirt

Faculty

Meet our 2024 Author Mentor Faculty joining us in Scotland below.

  • ADRIENNE YOUNG

    New York Times & Internationally best selling author of The Unmaking of June Farrow, Spells for Forgetting, The Sky & Sea Duology, and The Fable Series.

  • DHONIELLE CLAYTON

    New York Times best selling author of The Conjureverse series, The Belles series, Shattered Midnight, co-author of Blackout, Whiteout, The Rumor Game, and the Tiny Pretty Things duology, a Netflix original series.

  • REBECCA ROSS

    #1 New York Times and Sunday Times bestselling author of the Letters of Enchantment Duology, the Elements of Cadence Duology, Dreams Lie Beneath, The Queen's Rising Duology, and Sisters of Sword & Song.

  • KRISTIN DWYER

    Critically acclaimed author of Some Mistakes Were Made & The Atlas of Us.

  • JENNY HICKMAN

    Author of The Myths of Airren Series, The PAN Trilogy, and co-author of Loving the Worst Man.

Accommodations

There are multiple accommodation options, each described below. Please read carefully & note that each room is designed & decorated differently. There is a limited number of tickets for each type of room. Once sold out, they will no longer be available.

All rates listed are per person. 

Notice for 2024: Dunskey Estate underwent renovations and now all accommodations offer an ensuite bathroom.

*Friends must both select & pay for the same room type if they wish to stay together.

Standard Shared Room in the Castle

Shared Bed | Occupancy: 2

A shared room for you & a friend, with plenty of space & a bed to share. Perfect for a pair of good friends or someone who doesn’t mind sharing. Offers an ensuite bathroom.

Available: 3

Price: $3,950

Standard Double Room in the Castle

Separate Beds | Occupancy: 2

A shared room for you & a friend, but with your own single bed to sleep in. Perfect for someone who enjoys company, but hogs the blankets. Offers an ensuite bathroom.

Available: 4

Price: $4,450

Deluxe Shared Room in the Castle

Shared Bed | Occupancy: 2

A shared room for you & a friend, with extra square footage than a standard room & a large bed to share. Perfect for a pair of good friends or someone who doesn’t mind sharing. Offers an ensuite bathroom.

Available: 4

Price: $4,600

Private Room in the Castle

Occupancy: 1

A room all to yourself. Perfect for someone who needs a little extra space in the evenings or is a very light sleeper! Offers an ensuite bathroom.

Available: 13

Price: $4,990

Wren's Nest Lodge

Occupancy: 2 (shared bed)

A cozy lodge for you and a friend offering a superking bed and bathroom with rain shower. Just a short walk from the castle. To read more about Wren's Nest, click here.

Price: $5,200

Fawn's Velvet Lodge

Occupancy: 3 (1 Private Room, 1 Shared Room)

A 2 bedroom, 2.5 bath lodge just a stone's throw away from the castle for you and a friend offering:

One Private Room - King Bed, Ensuite Bathroom

One Shared Room - Two Single Beds, Ensuite Bathroom

To read more about Fawn's Velvet, click here.

Price: $5,500 (private room), $5,200 (shared room)

Ready to Enroll?

Enrollment opens January 20, 2024.

A nonrefundable enrollment deposit of $1,000 goes toward your overall retreat cost.

Full Balance Option: Due 01.28.24

Installments Option:

50% Due 01.28.24 | 50% Due 04.26.24

Please note: We are encouraging participants who are able to pay in full for trips as we are now offering more adventures through Writing With the Soul & a part of that is paying in advance so we can secure dates, accommodations, & trip experiences.

Your enrollment will register you for the retreat, which includes accommodations & meals. Optional transportation between Dunskey Estate & Glasgow is provided at no additional cost. Your enrollment does not include travel to & from Glasgow.

Cancellation policy: The enrollment deposit & all other payments for this retreat are nonrefundable.

We highly recommend you purchase travel insurance to cover your expenses in the event of cancellations or rescheduling.

*Due to cost increases & renovations to Dunskey Estate, prices for this year's retreat have increased. All rooms in the castle now offer an ensuite bathroom and have increased the value to the castle.

FAQ

Are there scholarships available for Storytellers Retreat?

Yes! There is one full tuition scholarship available for Storytellers Retreat. Scholarship applications can be found here.

If you'd like to contribute to the scholarship fund to support writers with a financial barrier, you can contribute by clicking here.

Do I need to attend the entire retreat? 

Yes, please only register if you are able to attend the entire retreat. Arriving late or leaving early will mean that you do not get the full experience of the retreat.

What kind of hiking and physical activity is included in the itinerary?

There is a moderately strenuous (and breathtaking!) group hike to the Dunskey ruins during the trip that is a part of our itinerary that includes a picnic lunch by the sea. Please note that retreat goers are expected to participate in our scheduled activities. For those who want more hiking and exploration, there will be an additional hike and potentially other activities that will be available during free time.  

Can I come early or stay late?

Yes, you can travel early to or stay later in the Glasgow area, Scotland, or the United Kingdom, if you wish to do so. Accommodations at Dunskey Estate will only be available to you during the retreat, but there are many lovely places to stay. Any travel you do before or after the retreat will be on your own budget.

Can I room with my friend?

Yes, you can make requests to room with a specific person. If you would like to room with someone specific, we recommend that you coordinate together before enrollment so that your purchased options allow you the choice to stay together. We will do everything in our power to accommodate roommate requests to the best of our abilities. 

* Friends must both reserve the same option of in order to room together.

Also, please keep in mind that even if you are not paired with your desired roommate, you will be among kindred spirits & will have plenty of interaction time with those not staying in your room.

What do I need to bring with me?

A detailed packing list will be sent to retreat participants no later than six weeks before the retreat.

How do I get there?

You can opt to drive or fly to the retreat. If flying, you will arrive at Glasgow International Airport. Optional free transportation will be provided from Glasgow to Dunskey Estate. If driving, you can simply drive to Dunskey Estate directly. Once registered, we will send you more detailed information on confirming your transportation.

I’m flying in from a different part of the world & I’m worried about jet lag. What should I do? 

Your travel plans are up to your discretion, but if it is within your means to do so, we recommend arriving to Glasgow a day early, so that you can adjust to the time zone. Anyone who arrives a day early will be given the opportunity to book a night at the same hotel so you can connect with your fellow writers ahead of travel to Dunskey. Once registered, we will send you more detailed information about traveling to & staying in Glasgow.

Is there an age requirement to participate?

You must be at least 18 years old to participate.

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