Words, Art & Wellness Retreat
Where the land meets the sea, Isle of HarrisJune 4th -10th , 2027
£2750 Early Bird till 1st July – Please enquire
An opportunity to step away from everyday noise and reconnect with creativity, stillness and yourself in the wild beauty of the Outer Hebrides.
Creative and wellness retreat on the Hebrides
A restorative creative retreat on the Isle of Harris in Scotland’s Outer Hebrides, designed for photographers, artists, writers and creatives seeking quiet inspiration, connection to nature and time to reconnect with their own creative voice.
Surrounded by white beaches, sea light and the wild landscapes of Harris, this intimate retreat offers space to slow down, create, reflect and experience the restorative power of creativity in a deeply peaceful setting.
A unique experience during one of the most beautiful seasons on the Isle of Harris—an immersive retreat that gently blends art, writing, nature, and well-being.
This retreat invites you to explore self-expression through both words and art. Whether painting freely in the studio or on the beach, or journaling alongside your art, you’ll be guided closer to what your heart truly wants to express.
To support this, we’re weaving in moments of stillness and connection within nature. Wild swimming, sauna, and surfing (weather and availability permitting) will be offered in collaboration with local wellness practitioners. These experiences are designed to ground you, energise you, and bring you into deeper alignment with your creative flow.
9 participants, led by Margaret Soraya & Carien Borst
INCLUDED: pick up from Stornoway or Tarbert, all food and drink (excluding wine), all creative activities and art supplies, outdoor led trips, inspirational sessions, swim trips, surf lesson and sauna session ( subject to availability
EXCLUDED: travel to Harris, insurance
Who this creative retreat is for :
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This retreat is designed for anyone longing to step away from the noise of everyday life and reconnect with creativity, nature and themselves. You may be a photographer, artist, writer, creative business owner or simply someone seeking rest, inspiration and space to breathe.
Many guests join the retreat during periods of transition, burnout or creative uncertainty, looking for quiet encouragement, meaningful connection and time immersed in the landscapes of the Isle of Harris.
Painting sessions
Writing & journalling sessions
Your own space to create
Art workshops during the retreat :
We will have dedicated sessions with Carien leading you into creating freely, expressively and without holding back
There will be visits to local galleries to gain inspiration. We will have some of our sessions at The Galerie, Margaret Soraya’s art gallery and creative space on the Isle of Harris.
Creative Writing during the retreat :
Led journalling and writing sessions to help you explore and open up your words.
Discussions around how writing best fits into your creative practice, whether that is simply jounally for self exploration or writing to consider more deeply the concepts behind your art work, or if you are more of a writer than an artist, there is plenty time for you to simply sit quietly with your writing.
Wellness by the Hebridean sea :
Making space in a beautiful and quiet place for being creative is wellness in itself. But we wanted to go a step further and provide some activities that help you go one step further into play, letting go and being immersed in the landscape in Harris.
We will be offering optional wild dipping trips and either a beach sauna or surf lesson—availability and weather dependent.
Other collaborations locally may include exploring A.S. Apothecary’s use of plants for well-being and a movement session.
Wild dipping/sauna/ surf / mindful movement
Walks on beaches and rocky landscapes
Location of the creative retreat :
Finsbay lodges are set within the rocky landscape of the east side of Harris, close to Margaret’s home and gallery. You can walk to the shoreline to watch the seals and birds and sit a while in perfect quiet.
Single occupancy double / king-sized or twin room with its own bathroom within a 3-bedroom lodge. Each lodge has a shared kitchen and lounge and a sauna within one of the bathrooms.
Why the Isle of Harris Inspires Creativity :
The Isle of Harris in Scotland’s Outer Hebrides is known for its white sand beaches, rugged coastline, changing light and extraordinary sense of stillness. The landscape offers a rare opportunity to slow down, breathe deeply and reconnect with creativity away from the pace of modern life.
The retreat is intentionally designed around this connection to place, with gentle outdoor trips, time by the sea, creative exploration and moments of quiet reflection woven throughout the experience.
Your leaders
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 special love and connection with the Island. She knows best where to find those special places on the Isle of Harris that will give you that special quiet connection that you need.
Carien Borst
Carien Borst is a visual artist and mainly makes intuitive oil paintings and ‘soul landscapes’. She finds inspiration for her paintings in being outdoors, immersing herself in silence and preferably by the sea or ocean. After a career in mental health management, originally trained as an art therapist, she chose a new path to follow her heart.