Creative Retreats at Glencanisp

Treat yourself to a week of tranquility and inspiration

Book a place. Learn about practicalities. Read some testimonials.

For a week of inspiration come for a week at Glencanisp Lodge in the north-west Highlands of Scotland. There are no qualifications required to come and no compulsory activities, just an opportunity for writers or other creative people to develop their work in progress in a peaceful and stunningly beautiful environment.

Top Left Corner is offering six creative retreat weeks from 2010 to 2011:
•    26 June – 3 July 2010     FULL
Midsummer in Assynt gives long, long days and the flowers, birds and other wildlife are at the peak of their season.
•    11 – 18 September 2010  FULL - enquire about non-residential participation
Out on the moors the heather is in full flower, while the woods are bursting with fruit and the sea is at its warmest.
•    30 October – 2 November 2010
Halloween Special Horror and Dark Fantasy Weekend. Low-angled light sets the moors ablaze. Stags roar for the rut and flocks of migrant birds steal the last of the berries. Nights are long and dark on this landscape peopled since time immemorial - a land of myth, magic and mystery

•    6 – 13 November 2010  FULL -  enquire about non-residential participation
This week we will celebrate the 100th anniversary of the birth of Norman MacCaig, who wrote so much of his best poetry in and about Assynt. There will be lots of opportunities to visit some of the places he stayed and wrote about, to share and appreciate his poems and to meet local people who knew him.
•    8-15 January 2011
After the season of over-indulgence, it’s the perfect time to quieten down and keep your new year’s resolutions to be creative: whether that’s writing, photography, painting or craftwork. There will be a log fire burning at all times and both writing and textile crafts experts on hand to give encouragement.
•    26 March – 2 April 2011
Spring comes quietly in Assynt, but its song is beautiful. It’s the time of primroses and violets, thrushes, warblers and the wingbeats of geese skeins heading north.

Book a place, learn about practicalities and read some testimonials.

This is the fourth year Glencanisp Lodge has been the venue for our retreat weeks. Over this time, we have provided space, tranquility and stimulation for more than 40 published and aspiring poets, short story writers and novelists including Margaret Elphinstone, Rodge Glass, Jason Donald, Paula Jennings and Colin Will. An increasing number of our guests are artists in fields other than writing, including textiles, photography, painting and music. This blend of diverse creative disciplines is part of the magic of the weeks.

Previous participants have said:

‘I had a wonderful time, thank you so much. I feel refreshed and inspired…’

‘I adored the peace and quiet, the scenery, the food and the company…’

‘Distance from my normal existence has produced work that I’m proud of, encapsulating some of the magic of this place…’

‘What did I write? One new poem every day…’

‘The best writing retreat in Western Europe…’

‘It was great. Being here allowed me to have insights into how to progress my novel…’

‘A lovely house overlooking the most wonderful views…’

Book a place, learn about practicalities and read some testimonials.

Any writers or other creative people are welcome on the weeks, which cost £750 per person (October) or £650 (all other weeks). The weeks run from Saturday to Saturday. Everyone gets a private and comfortable room to themselves, many of which have spectacular views out to the iconic mountain of Suilven or into the mature woods around the Lodge. Delicious home-cooked food is included.

For writers we offer a programme of exercises to stimulate ideas and get the words flowing. We will create a safe environment for sharing drafts and getting feedback. A writing facilitator is always on hand to give feedback or advice if desired. The October week includes in the price a full programme of events and activities to nurture your creativity and connection to nature.

We will arrange guided walks and other opportunities providing different perspectives on the landscape. Each week will have a menu of ‘creative dates’, offering you chances to spend time with local people and get a taste of Assynt life and culture. There are ceramics and music studios at Glencanisp and several artists and craft producers in the area. Creative dates include yoga, guided walks and horse-riding. Anything is possible, so if you don't see what you want on the menu, please ask!

Book a place, learn about practicalities and read some testimonials.