Lammermuir Literaria Retreat
The first annual Lammermuir Literaria writers retreat in Scotland is an intensive, intimate workshop focused on the craft of writing literary nonfiction.
Held in the “hidden village” of Garvald, nestled among farmlands in the hills of southeast Scotland, this four-day retreat is designed to inspire, to spark and to support. Whether to rejuvenate a tired project (or a tired person), or to kindle something new.
The programme
Beginning with a welcome session on Thursday night, the retreat includes daily workshops and structured conversation, craft discussions, and individual conferences. There will be free time to write and think, to walk alone in the hills and forest, and to spend time in close community with your fellow writers.
On Saturday, there will be a half-day excursion to one of East Lothian’s beautiful beaches for a long walk and a spot of lunch, followed by a relaxed afternoon of reading, writing, afternoon tea, and an aromatherapy massage.
The workshop will conclude with more sessions and a formal farewell dinner and reading on Sunday night.
The place
Retreaters will stay at Tanderlane House, a remarkable Georgian farmhouse offering stylish bed and breakfast, just a short walk through the barley fields to the village. Garvald is a sleepy red sandstone enclave situated along a burn known as the Papana Water. There is a pub, a village hall, and a parish kirk that dates back to the 1100s. Nestled beneath the Lammermuir Hills, alive with heather, to the south, and both forest and farmland in every direction, there are no shortage of routes to walk or cycle. See an iron-age hill fort, a newly restored tower house, a 16th-century beehive doocot, or the former “Nunraw” nunnery, now a working Trappist monastery.
The plan
This year’s retreat will take place from Thursday 18 to Sunday 21 August.
The retreat will be hosted by Meghan Flaherty, nonfiction writer and teacher, at her home in Garvald.
To apply
Applications for the 2022 retreat will go live in March. There is no fee to apply.
FAQ
The cost for the retreat is $1000 and includes most meals, libations, workshops, discussions, conferences, massages, and transport to and from EDI airport, plus the beach outing.
Lodging at Tanderlane House varies from £55/night (shared room) to £120/night (private king room with an en suite bath). You are invited to choose your room (on a first come first serve basis) to best suit your preferences.
Airfare should be booked through Edinburgh Airport (EDI). Once you have your flights booked and a confirmed ETA, we will sort your transfers to Garvald and back.
Lastly, lunch on Saturday at the Lobster Shack in North Berwick will not be covered, but prices there will vary depending on the extravagance of your appetite.
Once our group is finalised, we’ll sort through content wishlists, dietary quirks, and any proposed readings or discussion themes to make our time together more bespoke.
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Schedule
18-21 August, 2022
Thursday, 18 August
Arrival, transport to Tanderlane House
Time to settle in, rest, explore the area, bag lunch
Welcome cocktail hour and informal dinner at the Beehive
Discussion of selected texts
Friday, 19 August
Breakfast at Tanderlane House
Morning session
Lunch
Walk
Afternoon session
Tea and treats
Break (for reading, resting, writing, etc.)
Dinner/drinks at the local pub, the acclaimed Garvald Inn
Saturday, 20 August
Breakfast at Tanderlane House
Morning outing to the stunning Tyninghame Beach for a long walk and a dip (for the brave), followed by lunch at the famous Lobster Shack.
Return to Garvald for individual conferences, free writing time, solo walks through the woods or fields, massages
Afternoon tea
Break (for reading, resting, writing, etc.)
Dinner at the Beehive
Sunday, 21 August
Breakfast at Tanderlane House
Morning session
Lunch
Walk
Afternoon Session
Break (for reading, resting, writing, etc.)
Formal 3-course farewell dinner (and readings) at Tanderlane House
Monday, 22 August
Breakfast at Tanderlane House
Departure to Edinburgh
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