Witchcraft Retreat in Scotland – Beltane 2024
The promise of summer hangs in the air as a coven of witches gathers ’round a great bonfire. One by one, they cast their dreams and desires into the flames, feeding them to the sacred fire as they whisper incantations. When their spells have been cast, they dance around and around the bonfire, letting their voices grow louder and their movements wilder. Afterwards they feast and frolic, pouring libations for the spirits and relishing in the magic of Beltane…
Have you ever dreamed of being in community with likeminded souls? Of celebrating the pagan festivals with your fellow practicers of the craft? Of gathering in sacred circles and showing up as your truest, most magical self? Of attending “witchcraft school” at an enchanting Scottish castle?
If so, this Beltane retreat is for you.
Magical soul, you are invited to attend this 5-day, 4-night witchcraft retreat in beautiful Scotland.
Together we will celebrate the pagan festival of Beltane, traditionally regarded as the start of summer according to the Celtic calendar.
During this week together we will gather in sacred circles, join our magic for group rituals and spells, connect with the land, broaden our magical understanding and abilities through witchcraft workshops, enjoy a Beltane feast, and — most importantly — claim and celebrate our power as witches.
This retreat will take place from April 26th – 30th, 2024, in the wild and sacred Scottish lowlands.
What’s Included?
- 5 days of Beltane retreat celebrations
- 4 night stay in a beautiful, historic Scottish castle (shared and private rooms available)
- All meals: continental breakfasts, lunches, dinners, tea and coffee
- Beltane celebrations including rituals, spellwork, and bonfire (weather permitting)
- Magical Beltane feast
- Daily witchcraft workshops, group rituals, spellwork, and meditations (all supplies included)
- Free time to rest and enjoy the beautiful, wild scenery of the Scottish lowlands
- Roundtrip group transfer from Glasgow to the retreat venue
- An intimate coven of likeminded souls
This Beltane retreat will center around the themes of welcoming in the summer season, celebrating the fertility of the land, giving birth to our dreams and desires, working with spirit allies, and claiming our magic and power.
Specific details of the workshops and rituals will be shared with retreat attendees closer to the start date, but will include practices such as animistic witchcraft, spirit flight / hedge-riding, divination, working with land spirits, manifestation, dream work, intention-setting, self-healing through witchcraft, and exploring Scottish mythology and folklore.
The Location
A 16th century castle hidden within 143 acres of private woodlands will be our home for the week. The castle is located in South Ayrshire, less than two hours from the Glasgow Airport.
The castle itself dates to 1581, when it was built by Clan Cathcart. The rich history of the castle is felt everywhere you look, from the gothic entrance hall and original stone staircase, to the fairytale Turret and Cathcart of Carleton coat of arms.
During our week here together, we will gather for “witch school” lessons in the Great Hall, and enjoy lovingly-prepared meals in the opulent dining room. There are plenty of communal areas as well as quiet corners to explore, whether you are seeking a cozy chair by the fire for reading or a moonlit walk through the grounds.
We will also be making use of the three cottages located on the grounds: the Gatehouse, which is attached to the castle via the courtyard, and two historic stone cottages tucked away amongst the trees.
And of course, we cannot forget the magical grounds, consisting of 143 acres of ancient woodlands, pastural farmlands, fast-flowing rivers, and trickling streams.
Beltane Retreat Schedule
Friday April 26th — Arrival
Arrival day! Shuttle pickup in Gasglow at 12:00pm. Check in at 2pm (or anytime after) and get settled into your magical castle accommodations for the week. You will have some free time to rest, explore the grounds, or meet your fellow retreat attendees in the common area for a cup of tea and a chat. We will gather for our first group ritual to open the retreat and introduce ourselves, followed by dinner.
Saturday April 27th
Today’s itinerary will include both structured events and activities (witchcraft workshops, group spells and rituals, guided journeys and meditations, seasonal crafts, nature walks, etc.) as well as free time to enjoy the castle and grounds. A detailed schedule will be shared closer to the retreat start date.
Sunday April 28th
Today’s itinerary will include both structured events and activities (witchcraft workshops, group spells and rituals, guided journeys and meditations, seasonal crafts, nature walks, etc.) as well as free time to enjoy the castle and grounds. A detailed schedule will be shared closer to the retreat start date.
Monday April 29th
On our final evening together at the castle, we will celebrate the ancient festival of Beltane with a ritual, bonfire, special feast, and other festivities. Together we will tune into the fertility and abundance of this season, celebrating the spark of life returning to the land.
Tuesday April 30th — Departure
We will enjoy one last breakfast together, followed by a closing ritual to thank the deities, ancestors, and land spirits for the insights and magic they have shared with us. Then we will bid farewell to our magical castle estate and go our separate ways. Return shuttle to Glasgow departs at 11:00am.
Rooms & Pricing
We will have exclusive access to the castle and grounds for the duration of our retreat.
When booking your spot on the retreat, you will select the exact room you will be staying in. The accommodation options are as follows:
- Room in the Castle: There are nine of these rooms available. Eight rooms are private (one queen or king bed), and one room is shared (two twin / single beds). The common areas of the castle are accessible to all attendees at all times, regardless of which accommodation they are staying in.
- Room in the Gatehouse: There are three of these rooms available. One room is private (one queen or king bed), and two rooms are shared (two twin / single beds). The Gatehouse is attached to the castle and accessed through the adjoining courtyard. Has its own kitchen.
- Room in the Stone Cottage: There are four of these rooms available. Three rooms are private (one queen or king bed), and one room is shared (two twin / single beds). This 2-story period stone detached cottage is set a 5 minute walk away from the castle within the forest. Has its own kitchen and living spaces.
- Room in the River Cottage: There are five of these rooms available, all private (one queen or king bed). This charming cottage is set a short 8 minute walk from the castle next to the river that runs through the grounds. Has its own kitchen and living spaces.
A deposit of $1,000 is required to secure your spot on the retreat. This deposit is non-refundable and goes towards the total cost of your retreat payment. The remaining balance payment will be due ninety (90) days before the retreat start date, on January 26th, 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Which airport should I fly into? The nearest airport is Glasgow International Airport (GLA), located around 1.5 hours from the retreat venue. There will be a shuttle service from this airport to the venue.
- How will I get to the retreat venue? There will be roundtrip shuttle service departing from the Glasgow Airport at noon (12:00pm) on Friday, April 26th, with the return trip departing from the venue at 11:00am Tuesday, April 30th. If the planned shuttle time does not work for you based on your arrival time into Glasgow, you will need to arrange transportation to the venue at your own expense (if this is the case, please contact me — I can suggest the best options for you).
- Who can attend this retreat? The Beltane retreat is open to ALL practitioners of magic, witchcraft, and paganism who are 18 years and older — including practitioners of all genders, experience levels, and backgrounds.
- What is the accommodation like? We will have exclusive access to all 143 acres of the castle estate. There is a combination of shared and private rooms, most of which have shared bathrooms. If you book a shared room, you will be paired with another attendee.
- Can I book with a friend? Yes! Please note that when booking a shared twin room (two single beds), the listed cost is PER PERSON, not per room — meaning each of you will need to submit your own deposit / payment. After each of you has paid the deposit, please contact me to request a room together. If you and your friend or partner would like to book a private room (one bed), please contact me for special pricing.
- How does payment work? A deposit of $1,000 is required to secure your spot on the retreat. This deposit is non-refundable and goes towards the total cost of your retreat payment. The remaining balance payment will be due ninety (90) days before the retreat start date, on January 26th, 2024.
- What is the retreat cancellation policy? All payments made for the Beltane retreat are NONREFUNDABLE. If you decide not to attend after submitting your deposit, the deposit will not be refunded but can be applied to a future retreat. There will be no refunds provided due to cancellations for any reason, such as illness, injury, flight delays or cancellation, work or school scheduling conflicts, etc. However, if an unforeseen circumstance does arise and you need to cancel after making your full payment, you have the option to 1) find someone to take your place on the retreat, in which case you will be fully refunded after their payment is submitted, or 2) apply your payment to a future retreat (note that this will function as a credit; your payment will not be refunded). Cancellations made within thirty (30) days of the retreat start date will not be eligible to be applied to a future retreat — your entire payment will be forfeit.
- Do I need travel insurance? While travel insurance is not required for this witchcraft retreat, it is strongly recommended in the event of any unforeseen changes / cancellations / issues.
