overview
A women-only retreat on the beautiful Isle of Harris designed to allow you enough quiet, space & connection to nature to relax, create and connect to your own inner voice. Spend time in beautiful, quiet landscapes with a group of like-minded women, supported by both Ellis & Margaret who gently encourage creativity as a means to wellness.
We have self-catering accommodation by the water’s edge, with lovely walks from the door and direct access to the shoreline. Every room has en-suite facilities and we will share delicious home-cooked dinners and simple self-serve breakfasts and lunches.
9 participants, led by Ellis O’Connor & Margaret Soraya hosting
INCLUDED:
Complimentary pick up from Stornoway or Tarbert,
6 nights single occupancy in large double bedrooms with your own private bathroom
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Some materials and art supplies
Outdoor led trips & inspirational sessions
EXCLUDED:
Travel to Harris
Travel Insurance
Alcohol
“Space is the breath of art.” – Frank Lloyd Wright
This could be for you if:
- You would like to be part of a supportive group of people who want to help you feel more confident and happy through art
- you want to make more room for creativity in your life
- you are looking for inspiration
- you just want some time out in a beautiful place with like-minded people experiencing the beautiful Isle of Harris
Your facilitators
Ellis O’connor
Ellis O’Connor is an expressive artist living and working on the neighbouring Isle of Skye. Ellis is a true inspiration for creatives, using her environment to draw inspiration and living truly in line with her beliefs and desire to create. She creates art from within and has a passion for sharing and encouraging others to connect to their own vision.
Ellis teaches through mark making, and surrendering to the process, allowing the time, space and permission for it to be nurtured out of ourselves. Ellis believes that nothing is a failure or ‘wrong’ and that providing a relaxed a playful space where women can come together to feel encouraged and uplifted can lead to beautiful art.
Margaret Soraya
Margaret specialises in encouraging and inspiring others in a genuine way. She teaches others to find their voice and live in line with their core values.
She has a deep love of creativity, the coast, and quiet places and a belief in retreat to revitalise and replenish.
Living on Harris she has a deep love and connection with the Island. She knows best where to find those special places on the Isle of Harris that will give you the quiet connection to the place that you need. Margaret is a photographer and recently began painting again after many years away. Margaret will be your host on this retreat.
“Art enables us to find ourselves and lose ourselves at the same time.” – Thomas Merton
A taste of whats on offer
Join us for a nurturing, accepting retreat where everyone can create as they wish, Immersing in nature and the beautiful Hebridean scenery, being looked after and listened to, and having time to be alone if you wish, as well as time to be within a group of ladies who have similar interests. This retreat is all about finding yourself through creativity and expressing emotions, within a wonderfully supportive community – at your own pace.
This will be a relaxed art based retreat where you will have plenty of time to make the most of your time on this beautiful, wild island. Our accommodation is on the water’s edge with seals, birds, and sheep for neighbours. You will be immersed in nature and creative inspiration from dawn to dusk. We will visit local art studios to meet local artists and be inspired. Art sessions will be scheduled within a large space to allow for messy creative expression. Option to work in the landscape on your art as and when the weather allows. Beginners are very welcome – there are no barriers to creativity. Plenty of time on the beaches of Harris, as well as the shoreline close to the lodges. You are free to walk to the water anytime and spend time walking in the landscape as we stay right in the very heart of the Harris landscape. There will be opportunities to wild swim in the crystal clear Hebridean seas if you wish to take part. There will be a boat trip to a remote island ( weather dependent )
accommodation
Accommodation for this Isle of Harris art retreat is within self catered lodges on the shoreline with 3 bedrooms. You will have your own bedroom and bathroom within your lodge. One bedroom is en suite, one has its own family bathroom and one has a bathroom with a sauna.
Breakfast will help yourself in your lodge each morning and we will cater for this. Lunch will be homecooked within the lodge or out at a cafe. Dinner will be homecooked in the lodge, allowing for flexible time out and dinners together. It is possible to walk into the landscape or by the sea from your doorstep and watch the wildlife from your windows. The peace and tranquility from the lodges is second to none. I live just a few minutes drive from the lodges so know and love the area.
Self-catering allows us to spend more time in a flexible way and to eat home cooked, nourishing food and sample local offerings as well.
Travel
AIRPORT: Fly into Stornoway Airport
FERRY: Catch the ferry from Uig ( Skye ) to Tarbert ( Harris ) or Ullapool to Stornoway