Welcome to The Old School Byre — a peaceful, seaside escape on the Stoer Peninsula in the Northwest Highlands. This is a place for artists, writers, photographers, and makers of all kinds to pause, breathe, and create.
Set against a dramatic coastal backdrop with epic mountain views, our historic converted byre offers the quiet, comfort, and inspiration needed for deep creative work. Whether you’re painting the landscape, writing your novel, editing a photo series, or simply seeking solitude and space to dream, this is the creative retreat in Scotland you’ve been longing for.
Design Your Creative Retreat, Your Way
Retreats are available from October to February, when the pace slows and the light shifts — a time for reflection, restoration, and bold new ideas. Stays range from 5 to 14 days, with flexible options for:
- Solo creatives seeking quiet and focus
- Collaborative duos or small groups (up to 3 guests)
- Artists, writers, photographers, or crafters
- Anyone craving stillness and creative flow
Writers looking for dedicated mentorship and structured support can explore our Scotland writing retreat over at Writer’s Residence.
What’s Included
Each retreat includes private access to the byre, a thoughtfully designed space with:
- Woodburning stove and multiple creative workspaces
- Kitchenette and dining table (great for sketching, editing, or layout work)
- Welcome hamper with local treats and inspiration prompts
- Fast Wi-Fi (or the option to disconnect entirely)
- Quality teas, freshly ground coffee, and natural toiletries by Miniml
- Walks and wild swimming opportunities right from your doorstep
- Complimentary 1-hour professional headshot photo shoot for creatives looking to refresh their online presence
- We are dog-friendly so feel free to bring your furry friends
Pricing
7-Day Creative Retreat (solo occupancy) – £1,050
Includes full use of the byre, welcome hamper, Wi-Fi, and access to all retreat resources.
Add a second or third guest – £250 per person
Shared accommodation with one king and one single bed. Ideal for creative partners or small collectives.
Optional Add-Ons
Creative Coaching & Support
- Creative writing coaching with Mandy Haggith – £100
For poets, storytellers, and writers of all kinds - Online writing portfolio workshop with Monica Shaw – £100
Ideal for bloggers, freelancers, or artists wanting to showcase their work online - Free 1-hour photo shoot with our in house photographer, for anyone looking to update their personal branding with a professional headshot / portrait
Meals & Wellness
- Full Catering Package (7 days) – £245
Includes homemade breakfast basket, packed lunch, and evening meals - Healthy Eating & Juicing Package – £275
Daily juices, plant-based meals, and herbal teas to nourish your creativity
Guided Experiences
- Guided Highland Walk – £200
Tailored hikes for photography, natural history, or quiet inspiration - Stargazing Evening – £100
Learn to explore the night sky with our observatory telescopes
Bundle: Creative Escape Package – £1,395
✔️ 7 nights accommodation (solo occupancy)
✔️ Full catering (standard or juicing menu)
✔️ One coaching or portfolio session
✔️ Welcome pack
✔️ Access to observatory and creative resources
A Space to Create
The byre is simple, beautiful, and welcoming with details that invite you to slow down and make something meaningful.
You’ll be steps from nature, with wild trails, sea cliffs, and starlit skies outside your door. Inside, you’ll find everything you need to work, rest, and explore your creative process.
Is This Retreat Right for You?
This creative retreat in Scotland is ideal for:
- Writers, poets, and essayists
- Painters, sketchers, and illustrators
- Photographers, vbloggers, and content creators
- Producers, musicians, crafters, and makers
- Anyone seeking solitude, space, and a break from the everyday
If you’re a writer looking for a more focused literary retreat, visit our dedicated Scotland writing retreat hosted at our sister site Writer’s Residence.
Ready to Retreat?
We’re now taking bookings for creative retreats in Scotland for winter 2025-2026.
Email monica@eatsleepwild.com to check availability, request a quote, or customise your creative escape.
Meet Your Hosts & Coaches
Monica Shaw
Monica is the founder of Writer’s Residence, created in 2008 to help writers build professional online portfolios and grow their freelance presence. With a background in data, web development, teaching, and mountain leadership, she supports writers with practical coaching on portfolio presentation, career planning, and online marketing. She also leads guided hikes and astronomy evenings at the Byre with her partner Mark. Learn more about their inclusive experiences in nature at their website: eatsleepwild.com.
Mark Washer
Mark is our resident photographer, stargazer, and quiet creative force. He specialises in thoughtful, natural portraiture and landscape photography—and offers all retreat guests a complimentary professional headshot photo shoot to help refresh their creative portfolio or online presence.
Mark also leads our astronomy evenings, guiding guests through the stars with our on-site telescopes. As a Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society, he brings both deep knowledge and infectious enthusiasm to these immersive night-sky sessions.
Mandy Haggith
Mandy is a writer who has lived in Assynt for 25 years. She has decades of experience as a mentor and retreat leader, and teaches creative writing at the University of the Highlands and Islands. With more than 15 books —including award-winning fiction such as The Last Bear, Bear Witness, and the Stone Stories trilogy—and multiple poetry collections and non-fiction works, most recently The Lost Elms, she brings deep literary and ecological expertise to her mentorship. Her academic research spans poetic inquiry, environmental storytelling and imaginative time-travel. Learn more about Mandy on her website: mandyhaggith.net.
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