The mid of summer retreat
4th - 8th June 2026
yoga, meditation, qigong, wild swimming
witchtrials history, & walking
Spread across 2,000 square miles of rolling wild land, widescreen hillscapes, and clear-running rivers, the Scottish Borders is a region steeped in history and beauty.
It is the easiest part of Scotland to reach, yet it holds some of the deepest stories.
Few places have witnessed more bloodshed, battles, and upheavals over the centuries and it was here, in the late 1600s, that Scotland’s final witch trial took place.
Today, the Borders exude a gentler spirit, a land of impassioned literature, slow-moving historic towns, and a rich textile heritage. Traditions are held close, yet a modern creative energy shines through in its independent shops, thriving arts scene, and outdoor pursuits. The rural scenery remains medicine for the soul, while its culture and tradition continues to inspire and educate all who take time to roam this land.
In the mid of summer
In the height of summer, when the sun lingers until 10 p.m. and the air hums with solar energy, we will gather to absorb the season’s heightened offerings
and move together toward the solstice.
Our time in Scotland will be a yoga-spirited adventure in the 'Mairches’.
Where yoga, meditation, and qigong unfold amidst the rolling hills and open countryside. Where we will weave in the historic stories of the witch trials, along side wild loch swimming and crafting, while embracing the open beauty that surrounds us.
You will be immersed in heartfelt practices, atmospheric moments and the grounded wisdom of those who have walked these lands before.
A retreat that connects us deeply to past and present.
The Mairches
(A nickname for the Scottish Borders is "The Marches" or "Mairches" in Scots, which refers to its historical role as a border region between Scotland and England. This name reflects the area's history as a contested and fortified border zone, where frequent conflicts and banditry occurred, leading to the region being studded with turrets and forts.
Time in the ‘Mairches’
Included in your retreat
5 days / 4 nights accommodation
Daily 2.5hr morning practice
Daily 1.5hr evening practice
Sound Bath Session
Crafting session with local expert
Guided Walk to the wild swimming loch
Historic talk on the Scottish witch trials with local expert and author
Use of Infrared Sauna
Outside hot tub
In house library for your use
Brunch and dinner daily
Herbal teas, coffee available all day
Mini gym for your own personal use
A Reformer pilates bed for your own personal use
Fire-pit (weather permitting)
100 acre private estate for your own country walks
Closing ceremony
A victorian house in the heart of the Scottish Borders
Our retreat home is a charming Victorian mansion, built in 1874, lovingly preserved with original features and made all the more welcoming by its wonderfully warm and vibrant lady owner. The house exudes very relaxed grandeur. It's homely yet spacious with plenty of inviting corners to unwind. Think glowing log fires (even in June, it is Scotland, after all), a yoga studio with stunning views over the vast and unspoilt Borders and a sense of timeless comfort.
For your own quiet times while on retreat, there is a well-stocked library, an outdoor hot tub, an infrared sauna, a mini gym, and even a fully equipped Pilates space with a reformer bed, tower, chair, and spine corrector, perfect for those who love to dabble in Pilates in their own time.
All of this is set within 100 acres of private land, which is ours to wander and explore in peaceful freedom.
Under the
Scottish stars
Accomodation
Twin rooms
Lakshmi
£950 per person
Shared twin bedroom, private bathroom with bathtub and walk in shower.
Kali
£950 per person
Shared twin bedroom, private bathroom with bathtub and walk in shower.
Durga SOLD
£890 per person
Shared twin bedroom, sharing an adjacent bathroom with walk in shower. (shares bathroom with Parvati room)
Parvati
£890 per person
Shared twin bedroom, sharing an adjacent bathroom with walk in shower. (shares bathroom with Durga room
Garden room
£890 per person
Shared twin bedroom, sharing an adjacent bathroom with a bath and overhead shower. (shares bathroom with one other room)
Aditi SOLD
Single occupancy £1225
Sharing £950 per person
Super King bed, adjacent private bathroom with bath tub and hand shower unit on bath.
Saraswati SOLD
Single occupancy £1225
Sharing £950 per person
Super King bed with private ensuite bathroom with a walk in shower.
Meals
Food is life
During the retreat, our meals will be lovingly prepared by a local chef, who will serve a vibrant plant-based menu (vegan / vegetarian). With an emphasis on wholesome proteins, so our meals are designed to support both vitality and strength to offer the nourishment our bodies need as we continue to grow in wisdom and age.
Morning
Pre practice fruit & nibbles
Brunch
A hearty brunch, freshly prepared choice of vegan / vegetarian dishes.
Dinner
Two course dinner each night of freshly.
Alcoholic drinks are not supplied or served at the reteat, however you are welcome to bring a bottle of wine / something to enjoy with your dinner time meal.
The practices
The yoga studio is on the 1st floor with large windows
overlooking the the countryside and is fully equipped with mats, belts, bricks, bolsters & eye pillows.
The offerings throughout the retreat will include:
Yoga
Qigong
Breath work
Meditation
Evening talk on history of the Scottish Witch Trials
Guided walk to a loch with option to wild swim
Sound bath session
Crafting
Closing Ceremony
Optional excursions
If you'd like to see a little more of The Boarders while on retreat, there are many places for you to explore.
Melrose Abbey
Famous for its iconic ruined Cistercian abbey, with views of the Eildon Hills.
Floors Castle
One of Scotland's largest inhabited castles, set within a beautiful estate.
Jedburgh Abbey
Another historic abbey and a key attraction in the Borders.
Kelso
A charming market town known for its large square and fine Georgian architecture
Peebles
A beautiful town on the banks of the River Tweed, popular for fishing and as a base for gardens
Eildon Hills
Offers excellent hiking opportunities and panoramic views
Known for its natural beauty, with options for walking and cycling paths
St Abbs Head
A nature reserve with dramatic sea cliffs, offering spectacular views
Need To Knows
Insurance
It is a condition of your booking, that you take out travel insurance to
cover any cancellations, health, pandemics, walking / extra excursions and other eventualities
Check in and out
The retreat is Thursday to Monday
Check-in time is on Thursday after 3pm
Practice on arrival day is at 5:30pm
Check-out is Monday at 12pm
Travel
The retreat is in Selkirk, Scotland
Taking the train
London / Stevenage to Edinburgh Waverley then Edinburgh Waverley to Tweedbank. From Tweedbank station we can arrange shared taxis to the retreat.
By Air
Fly into Edinburgh airport, then bus or tram to Edinburgh Waverley station.
From Edinburgh Waverley take train to Tweedbank station we can arrange shared taxis to the retreat.
By Car
Ashkirk, Selkirk TD7 4NY.
Transfers
Shared / group taxis can be arranged from Tweedbank train station once you have booked onto the retreat. If you are wishing to take a taxi all the way from Edinburgh, please do make your own travel connection arrangments.
What’s not included
Flights
Massages at the retreat
Transport to/from the airports or train stations
Travel insurance
Any optional excursions
Transport for optional excursions
Meals or expenses during optional excursions
Any COVID testing, PCR or lateral flow tests
Finally
I am foremost a yoga therapist & teacher not a travel agent.
I will endeavour to do my best to insure your yoga retreat is as wonderful as I know you’d wish it to be, so please do feel free to let me know if you have any further questions, or if I have missed any information that you might need and I’d be delighted to assist.
I really do look forward to sharing this delightful retreat with you.
Warmest love
Paula