Retreat Venues
Below are a number of retreat venues that we’re aware of or that have been recommended by members of the diocese. All are based in Scotland or the North of England. The Retreat Association has a directory of venues across the UK.
Day retreats only
| St Barnabas Retreat & Conference Centre, 4 Moredun Park View, Edinburgh EH17 7NE | Tel: 01875 812 985 | Rooms available in the church for discussion groups and worship. |
| Smithstone House of Prayer, Dalry Road, Kilwinning Ayrshire KA13 6PL | https://www.smithstonehouse.org.uk/ | A Catholic Day Retreat centre run by the Sacred Heart Fathers in Scotland. |
Self-catering accommodation
| St Antony’s Priory, 74 Claypath, Durham, DH1 1QT | https://ssm.org.uk/retreats/ | Includes a cottage with four self-catering units for people wishing to spend a few days on individual private retreat. |
| Cairngorms Christian Centre, The Brae, Kincraig, Inverness-shire PH21 1QD | www.cairngormschristiancentre.co.uk | Alcohol free, with bunk beds. |
| Croftcarnoch Cottage, Killiecrankie | standrews.anglican.org/croftcarnoch-cottage/ | Owned by the Diocese of St Andrews, Dunkeld and Dunblane this can be booked as a three-bedroomed holiday cottage or as a retreat. The minimum stay is three nights. |
| St Drostan’s Lodge, Edzell, Angus, DD9 7YX | www.stdrostans.org | Up to 17 guests in 6 single, 2 double and 2 twin-bedded rooms. |
| Nunraw Abbey (Sancta Maria), Haddington EH41 4LW | www.nunraw-abbey.com | Nine rooms, 7 single and 2 family with three beds. |
| Robin’s Nest & Swallows’ Nest, Rumbling Bridge, Kinross | Available on AirBNB: Robin’s Nest; Swallows’ Nest | Robin’s Nest: Two-room suite that sleeps up to three people with fully equipped kitchen and dining area. Swallows’ Nest: Cosy and immaculate two-bedroom flat in serene location. |
Catered accommodation
| The Abbey Isle Of Iona, Argyll PA76 6SN | www.iona.org.uk | Welcomes those who wish to share the life of work, worship, discussion and recreation. Three nights minimum stay. |
| Abernethy Kilmalieu Ardgour Peninsula, Fort William, PH33 7AD | https://www.abernethy.org.uk/kilmalieu/ | Offers a selection of Christian retreats throughout the year. A place where people can relax, pray and reflect amid rugged beauty and rich biodiversity. |
| Aquila Retreats Braco Road, Comrie Perthshire, PH6 2HP | https://aquilaretreats.com/retreats | A B&B in Comrie near Crieff offering Christian retreats including spiritual direction, quiet days and Lectio Divina and Examen. Two rooms available. |
| Benedictine Convent, Largs KA30 8BY | www.tyburnconvent.org.uk | Small groups as well as individuals. |
| Bishop’s House, Isle of Iona, Argyll PA76 6SJ | https://island-retreats.org/iona/retreats | People are welcome to share the life and work of the community, minimum of three nights stay is the norm in season. Three single, 10 twin-bedded rooms |
| The Bield at Blackruthven Blackruthven House, Perth PH1 1PY | www.bieldatblackruthven.org.uk | Retreats can be booked for between one and six days and can be silent and/or guided. The Bield also offer courses and have a selection of contemplation resources on their website. |
| Braehead House Crossford South Lanarkshire, ML8 5NQ | https://www.divinehealingfellowshipbraeheadhousescotland.co.uk/ | Four twin bedrooms and two single bedrooms. |
| The Catholic House (cnoc a’ Chalmain), Isle of Iona Argyll PA76 6SP | www.catholic-iona.com | People are welcome to share the life and work of the Iona community, minimum of two nights stay. Three single, 2 twin-bedded rooms. |
| Craig Lodge (RC), Dalmally, Argyll PA33 1AR | www.craiglodge.org | Can accommodate up to 40 guests, all denominations. Group or individual retreats. |
| St Mary’s Monastery and Retreat Centre, Kinnoull, Perth PH2 7BP | www.kinnoullmonastery.co.uk | 21 single and 17 twin-bedded rooms, single or group retreats; organised events also available. |
| Pluscarden Abbey, Elgin IV30 8UA | www.pluscardenabbey.org | 12 single rooms or 16 with bunk beds. Women’s accommodation is self-catering, men will eat with the order. |
| Society of St Francis, Alnmouth, Alnwick NE66 3NJ | www.alnmouthfriaryssf.org.uk | Provides silent retreats, weekend tasters, monthly meditation group and other events. You can be a day guest and provide your own lunch or share lunch in the refectory if there is space. |
| Whitchester Christian Guest House and Retreat Centre, Upper Teviotdale TD9 7LN | www.whitchester.org.uk | Woodland prayer walks, chapel, lounge and conservatory. Conducted retreats, prayer and counselling are available. Two single and 7 twin/double rooms. |
| Wiston Lodge, Biggar ML12 6HT | https://wistonlodge.com/ | Physical, mental and spiritual challenge in a safe and sheltered residential environment. A Victorian country house set in over 50 acres of woodland, particularly suitable for family retreats and youth groups. |
Providers that offer occasional retreats
| Community of Aidan and Hilda, Holy Island | https://www.aidanandhilda.org.uk/ | The Community of Aidan and Hilda is a dispersed, ecumenical body drawing inspiration from the lives of the Celtic saints. We provide a programme of retreats and events around the UK and internationally. |
Retreats in daily life and online retreats
| The Epiphany Group | https://www.epiphanygroup.org.uk/retreats/ | In addition to residential retreats at The Bield and The Coach house, the Epiphany Group offers quiet days, online retreats and retreats from daily life. |
| Heart in Pilgrimage | https://heartinpilgrimage.org.uk | Structured online retreats for seasons of the Christian year such as Lent and Advent, and other themed retreats and courses throughout the year. |
| House of Prayer, Society of the Sacred Heart, Edinburgh, 28 Lauriston Street, Edinburgh EH3 9DJ | www.edinburghjesuit.org.uk/retreats | The commitment for the retreat in daily life is: to set aside 20–30 minutes each day for prayer; to meet once a week and at the start of the retreat with your prayer guide; to come to the opening and closing sessions of the retreat. |
| Ignatian Spirituality Centre, Glasgow | www.iscglasgow.co.uk | Offers a number of different themed online retreats to choose from. |
| Los Olivos Retreats | https://www.losolivosretreats.co.uk/online-retreats | Offers a series of quiet days at home that were originally online retreat days, including ‘The Beatitudes for Today: Hearing the Voices of Modern Day Prophets’ and ‘Imagi Christi: Seeing Christ with New Eyes’. |
| Online Ignatian Retreat from Creighton Online Ministries | Online Ignatian Retreat | Creighton Online Ministries | An Ignatian retreat over a number of weeks which you can do alone, in a group, or through regular contact with a spiritual director. |
Many of our buildings (especially in the city centre) are open during the day, and others have peaceful gardens for reflection (Church of the Good Shepherd, St Ninian’s Comely Bank, St Columba’s by the Castle, St Mark’s Portobello).
If you would like to suggest a venue to add to the list, please email: dmmcadmin@dioceseofedinburgh.org