Soul of the North is a seven-day immersive Scotland retreat set in the far north of the Scottish Highlands, designed for those seeking deep rest, reconnection, and personal renewal. Based in Caithness and easily accessible from Inverness, this unique Highlands story and spirit retreat blends storytelling, spiritual practice, yoga, and guided exploration of some of Scotland’s most powerful landscapes.

At the heart of this experience lies Cianalas – a Gaelic word that speaks to a deep, unspoken longing of the soul. A pull toward something ancient, familiar, and half remembered. It is not something you choose, but something that calls you.

Here, in the far north of Scotland, that call is answered.

Through the grounding of earth, the movement of air, the warmth of fire, and the cleansing power of water, this Scotland story and spirit retreat invites you to slow down, listen deeply, and reconnect with yourself in a way that feels both ancient and entirely your own.

This is also a journey of remembering. A space to embrace your inner elder, to recognise that true wisdom is already within you, and to reconnect with the quieter knowing that life often buries beneath noise and responsibility. It is a retreat of reflection, release, and letting go of what no longer serves, creating space for clarity, insight, and renewal.

A Transformational Retreat in the Scottish Highlands

Based at the peaceful sanctuary of Forse of Nature in Caithness, this Highlands retreat is shaped by the wild rhythms of the north. From the dramatic coastline of Caithness to the sacred waters of Loch Ness and the energy of ancient sites across the Highlands, each experience is designed to support connection, transformation, reflection, and integration.

Led by Emma Macaulay, Highland storyteller and guide, and Kate Graham, Shamanic Oracle Artist and healing practitioner, this Scotland retreat is held within a powerful partnership of story and spirit. Emma brings the landscapes of the Highlands to life through rich narrative and deep-rooted connection, while Kate guides profound inner journeys through healing, ceremony, and intuitive practice.

Together, they create a space that is both grounding and expansive, where exploration and stillness exist in harmony, and where guests are gently supported to reconnect with their inner wisdom.

What to Expect from Your Scotland Retreat Experience

Through story, ceremony, and daily practices including yoga, meditation, and breathwork, guests are supported to reconnect with both the land and their inner world. This is a retreat in Scotland that holds space for reflection, letting go, and remembering what truly matters, balanced with guided experiences and spacious time for integration.

Your journey includes:

• A fairytale excursion to Dunrobin Castle (entry included) and the Big Burn Fairy Walk near Golspie
• A visit to John O’Groats and the iconic Duncansby Stacks
• Stops at Loch Ness, Dores Beach, the Clootie Well, and Chanonry Point for dolphin spotting and the story of the Brahan Seer
• An opening circle at Carn Liath Broch, grounding you in Highland history, ancestry, and ancient wisdom
• Shopping opportunities at Yvonne’s Tartan Boutique and James Pringle Weavers

Elemental experiences include a guided cold water dip and beach sauna, alongside fire ceremonies and evening storytelling gatherings that support release, reflection, and reconnection.

10:00am Collection from Inverness (city centre or airport)

Journey North with storytelling stops: Dores Beach, Loch Ness Dornoch (including Yvonne’s Tartan Boutique) Carn Liath Broch – Opening Shamanic Circle with drumming, red string ‘yarn of fate’, connecting the group in shared vision

4:00pm Arrival at Forse of Nature Welcome tea & time to settle and unpack

6:00pm Dinner

7:30pm Grounding Yin Practice Intention Setting, Coming Home to Body, Reflecting Inward

9:00pm Quiet & Bedtime

• 8.00am: Morning Movement & Meditation

• 9:00am Breakfast

• 10:00am–1:00pm: Ancient cairns & standing stones Excursion

• 1:00pm: Lunch

• 2:00pm–4:00pm Linoprinting workshop

• 4:00pm-5:30pm Writing Your Own Story Reflection & Journalling

• 6:00pm Relaxed Dinner - Charcuterie, Whisky / Gin Tasting & Hearthside Storytelling

• 8:00PM Relaxation and dreaming practice

• 9:00pm Quiet & Bedtime

• 8:00am Yin yoga

• 9:00am Breakfast

• 10:00am–2:00pm Castletown Excursion

• Optional North Sea dip Clach Mara Sauna Packed Lunch

• 2:30pm–6:00pm Free time / 1:1 sessions with Kate x 3

• 6:30pm Dinner

• 7:30pm Fireside Evening (cooried in around the fire)

• Sound journey Music, connection, and shared songs

• 8:00am Breathwork & Rewilding Practice

• 9:00am Breakfast

• 10:00am–3:00pm Excursion to John O’ Groats & Duncansby Stacks

• 3:30pm–6:30pm Integration Time

  Journaling and reflection

  Reading and rest

  1:1 sessions with Kate x3

• 7:00pm Dinner

• 8:00 Dark Walk & Night Exploration

  UV light walk

  Bat spotting

  Exploring the unseen and liminal

Optional Breathwork and Journeying instead of Dark walk and exploration.

• 8:00am Morning Movement & Shaking Practice

• 8:30am Breakfast

• 9:00am-12:30pm Shamanic Healing & Fire Ceremony Preparations & Rituals Introduce Mask/Otherwise for Day 7

• 1:00pm Lunch & Shamanic Nature Divination Practice Introduction

• 2:00pm Afternoon at leisure

  Optional Wagg of Forse Walk Free time / 1:1 sessions with Kate x3

• 5:30pm Bonfire preparation

• 6:30pm Bonfire Night Fire Ceremony

  Campfire soup

  Ceremonial cacao

  Fire ritual for release and transformation

  Optional whisky hot chocolate

  Toasted marshmallows

  Storytelling and connection

  Fun Music, Songs Including “The Rattling Bog”

• 8:30am Breakfast

• 10:00am-3:00pm

  Option A (On-site): Creative Integration Time Art, writing, or music 1:1 sessions x3

  Option B (Optional Excursion): Fairytale Frolick Dunrobin Castle & Big Burn Walk (Buy your own lunch in the Dunrobin Castle Cafe)

• 12:30pm Lunch for those at Forse of Nature who stay behind.

• 3:30pm–5:00pm Healing with Kate

• 5:00pm-6:00pm Get Ready/Dress Up Night

• 6:00-6:30pm Concert in the Parlour

• 6:30pm Special Evening Experience A dressed-up evening dinner hosted by The Downright Gabbler A celebratory night with storytelling and connection

• 7:30am Rest & meditation

• 8:30am Breakfast

• 10:00am-3:00pm

  Option A (On-site): Creative Integration Time Art, writing, or music 1:1 sessions x3

  Option B (Optional Excursion): Fairytale Frolick Dunrobin Castle & Big Burn Walk (Buy your own lunch in the Dunrobin Castle Cafe)

• 12:30pm Lunch for those at Forse of Nature who stay behind.

• 3:00pm–5:00pm Ceremony preperation

• 5.00pm - 6:00pm Dinner

• 6:30pm Final Group Shamanic Healing Ceremony

• 8:00am Breakfast & Gratitude Circle

• 9:30am Depart Forse of Nature

• 11:00am Clootie Well Cleansing Ceremony

• 12:00pm Chanonry Point Stop Brahan Seer storytelling Dolphin spotting opportunity

• 1:30pm Clava Cairns Closing Finale Drumming circle among the ancient stones

• 2:30pm James Pringle Weavers Stop 1 hour for shopping and browsing

• 4:00pm Drop-off in Inverness city centre