Beneath the Bonnie Heather:
a celebrant journey in Scotland
July 19-27, 2025
Contact us here
scotland will whisper into your soul and leave you longing to return
Oh bonnie Scotland! There are few places in the world that offer breathtaking countryside views, historic cities, quaint villages, and also happen to be rich with culture and impactful rituals that we Celebrants and Officiants love so much!
We are also incredibly fortunate to be partnering with local Celebrants to offer workshops and other experiences.
This will be an unforgettable trip!
Our days will begin by sharing breakfast at the large kitchen table with the other retreat attendees. Continental breakfast foods are provided - but you may want to walk a few blocks to one of the best pastry/coffee shops in Inverness for a sweet start to your day!
Each day will offer new experiences and new friendships forged.
We only have a few spots left, and we only offer it every two years.
Just a warning - you will want to come back again and again!
Where You'll Stay
Located in the heart of Inverness, you'll be staying at Laird's Lodge - a gorgeous Victorian Scottish country estate.
With its large front garden and tastefully refurbished interiors, Laird's Lodge is a reminder of a bygone era, yet with all the modern comforts and luxuries for relaxing and memorable stay.
Enjoy croquet on the lawn, BBQs under the festoon-lit courtyard, or take in a relaxing soak in the outdoor hot tub. Afterward, you can indulge in a drink in your own on-site pub, The Tipsy Laird.
A quaint grocery store is right around the corner offering all of the staples along with cooked and prepared foods.
And you will be a short walk to the River Ness where you can take a leisurely walk through the Ness Islands - or cross the bridge into the beautiful town of Inverness. Here you can find lovely shops, pubs with live music, some of the finest restaurants in Scotland, and one of the most unique book shops anywhere.
Day 1 Saturday, July 19
Day 2 sunday, July 20
Day 3 Monday, july 21
Your flight from the US will most likely be an overnight flight. 'Laird's Lodge' is 15 minutes from the Inverness Airport. We will all be arriving at various times throughout the day, so on our first day, we will get acclimated with our beautiful estate, take a short walk to the local grocer and other points of interest. Once everyone has arrived, we will take time for introductions. Late afternoon, we will embark on a leisurely walking tour of Inverness, (tour included) ending with a proper Scottish dinner at Mustard Seed. (dinner included). Capping off the night we will raise a glass at our on-site pub, The Tipsy Laird, and enjoy the private courtyard and hot tub.
Make sure you rest up Sunday night and have your phones charged, because Monday will be spent touring the magical Isle of Skye. Our all-day private tour will include Eilean Donan Castle, Portree, photo stops of the Trotternish Loop including Kilt Falls, The Quiraing, Old Man of Storr, and The Fairy Glen. (Tour included.)
Lunch and dinner are not included in tour price.
This is one of the three open days to explore Inverness on your own. Hop on a double decker bus for a tour of the town, rent a bike and tour the town and nearby canal on two wheels, or take a taxi to another location of interest.
Our optional activity will be hiking through the Ness Islands, which is a 10 minute walk from the Lodge.
Day 4 tuesday, july 22
Day 5 wednesday, July 23
Day 6 thursday, july 24
This is the second open day to explore all that Inverness has to offer. We will have suggestions for sightseeing, walking trails, Botanical Gardens, bookshops, cafes, shopping, and more. For those interested in a Whisky Tour, this is the day that we will organize it. (Whisky Tour fee not included.)
We will have dinner together at the Lodge and then you have the evening to yourselves.
Tuesday will be our all-day Celebrant workshop. We will be collaborating with several Scottish Celebrants to offer workshops which will add new and interesting rituals to your officiant/celebrant toolbox.
Lunch will be provided.
Dinner is on your own.
Some of us may want to venture out in the evening to a pub to listen to some authentic Scottish music!
Day 7 friday, july 25
Day 8 saturday, july 26
Day 9 sunday, july 27
Thursday will be another all day adventure where we’ll explore the wild and beautiful Scottish Highlands—we will even visit “Outlander” filming locations! Our day begins looking out for Nessie at Loch Ness before exploring the 1,000-year-old Urquhart Castle. We’ll stop for lunch at a lovely cafe which is a secret hidden gem then off to the Bronze Age–era Clava Cairns. Our last stop will be at the gorgeous Cawdor Castle before heading back to Inverness.
All good things must come to an end. Our checkout time is 10am. We will help you arrange for airport shuttles to get you on your way. Make sure you bring an extra suitcase for all your souvenirs!
Mar sin leat! Farewell!
This will be our final day where you can 'choose your own adventure'. Heading into town for souvenirs, visiting Eden's Court, and stopping by your favorite lunch spot are just a few suggestions.
Donna will be taking a small group of those who are interested to the village where she stays each year.
Enjoying live local music at Hootinany's is a great way to end the night!
Saturday begins with a morning workshop.
The afternoon is yours to walk into town and pick up any last minute shopping, or just wander along the trails of the beautiful Ness Islands.
In the evening, we will enjoy a special treat of a Chef-prepared dinner at the Lodge. After dinner, we will share in our closing ritual around the fire and enjoy one last night in The Tipsy Laird and/or hot tub. (Dinner included.)
sign me up!!
What's Included
What's Not Included
- Additional gratuities for tour guides
- Flights and transportation to and from the airport to Laird's Lodge
- Additional tours you'd like to book
- Insurance: Personal, Medical, Travel, or other.
- Groceries you purchase for personal consumption
- Lunches, and most dinners other than the two mentioned in the 'Included' section.
- Souvenirs, personal calls and phone expenses
- 9 days/8 nights in Inverness at Laird's Lodge
- Continental Breakfast each morning
- Dinner at the Mustard Seed Restaurant on the first night, and a Chef-Prepared dinner on the last night.
- Tours to Isle of Skye, Clava Cairns, Urquhart Castle, Inverness Walking Tour, Eilean Donan Castle, and their admission fees.
- En-suite bedrooms
- Estate amenities: Hot tub, robes, slippers, soap, shampoo, conditioner
- Inclusion in our Private Facebook Group. We will go here for initial planning and connection before, during, and after our retreat.
- Zoom meetings before the retreat to connect and meet each other.
- Memories to last a lifetime!
pricing
payment options
pricing & PAYMENT OPTIONS
reserve your spot!
- Two single beds, EnSuite
- Two rooms available with this option
- Three single beds, EnSuite
- Two rooms available with this option
- One single bed, EnSuite
- Three rooms available with this option
- When you email your interest, state the type of room you want.
- Your room will be guaranteed only after your $500 non-refundable deposit is made.
- If you are not able to secure your first preference for a room, you will be put on a waiting list for that room. Let us know your second choice.
You may pay:
- All at once
- In 2-4 installments
Final payment must be made by May 5, 2025.
Registration
Cancelation Policy
No downpayment is needed upon registering. Fill out the Contact page and you'll get on the list of interested attendees. From there we can answer any questions and send you all of the important information that you'll need for the trip. We will then send an invoice and set up a payment schedule.
A $500 non-refundable deposit is required to hold your place.
- Any cancellation will result in the loss of the $500 deposit.
- Installments paid before May 5, 2025 (minus $500 deposit) will be fully reimbursed.
- Cancellations made between May 6 and June 7 (minus $500 deposit) will result in a loss of 50% of the trip price.
- Any cancellation between June 7 and the trip departure will result in a total loss of funds.
- We reserve the right to cancel the trip if if is not meeting the trip minimum. In this case, all payments, including your deposit will be refunded in full.
- We highly recommend trip cancelling insurance. See our Travel Tips page for information about trip insurance.
You will most likely fly into a larger airport in the UK. Your last let will be a flight into Aberdeen Airport (ABZ)
You will want to have a taxi take you from the airport to our estate. This is a 15 minute car ride. We will share the address and details with you.
There are only three single rooms, so most likely you will have a new friend or friends to room with. Realize, though, that this is a large estate with many rooms where you will be able to relax on your own. If privacy is your concern, you will find quiet time to yourself in the snug, living room, private pub, and outdoor courtyard.
We will have at least one group Zoom meeting before the retreat - AND if you are rooming with someone you haven't met - we will schedule two special Zoom meetings where you'll be able to chat privately. You'll also be able to chat in our Private Facebook Group! You'll be fast friends by the time of the retreat!
Yes, we highly recommend travel insurance that includes trip cancellation and medical coverage. Check our Travel Tips page for suggestions.
Walking/hiking shoes, clothing in layers, and a sense of adventure! Once you've signed up, we will send a more detailed list of what to bring along.
Absolutely!
Let us know if you'd like to arrive early or stay longer. We will offer suggestions and help you with ideas of places to stay.
You have absolute control to participate in whatever you prefer. Just know that all of the activities we are offering have been carefully curated for your overall experience of this retreat. We hope you want to join in all we have to offer!! And there will no 'discount' for not attending an activity.
Must I have a roommate?
What is the weather like?
The Scots joke that typically you can experience three seasons in a day. Temps will range from the 50s - 70s. And - yes there will be rain - but lots of sun, as well. We will share info on what to wear!!
faqs
what do i pack?
I'm concerned about rooming with someone i don't know
can i stay longer?
do I have to participate in everything?
do i need travel insurance?
where do i fly into?
is there transportation from the airport to the resort?
Will i need a car?
join us!!
your celebrant guides in Scotland
Donna Forsythe
Hi!!
You can read more about me in the About section. But I'll share a bit about my love for Scotland. My husband and I had visited Scotland in 2016 and fell in love with the awe-inspiring beauty of the country. The following year I retired from teaching, I decided to spend a month in Scotland as a present to myself. One of my 'grooms' was from Scotland and shared the name of a wee village where his family would vacation every year. So off I went to a coastal village and my life has never been the same.
Life slowed down. I found that there were endless places to take day trips: castles, mountains, coastal trails. And I could also just sit by the harbor and watch the boats. Sunrises were exhilarating, and sunsets were breathtaking.
And - I got to know the people in the village. This was equal to the wonderful landscapes!
Scotland helped to inform the creation of Celebrant Academy - but that is an entirely different story for another time. :) But the connections I made there with Scottish Celebrants has been another great asset to our retreats. We love making human connections as a focus of our adventures.
Celebrant Retreats was born from this love (and possibly obsession) I have with Scotland - and wanting to bring the feeling, joy, excitement, fulfillment, (I could go on!) to other celebrants/officiants. This retreat is exhilarating. Scotland gets under your skin and into your soul, and leaves you wanting more.
This retreat is for you if you love the outdoors and love making connections with other officiants/celebrants. But I'll warn you, you'll be planning your next trip here as soon as you return home.
Sabra Dettore
Hi there! I’m Sabra (saybruh) not the Hummus. I’m a Celebrant Academy Superstar, I mean, graduate, who volunteers for everything celebrant related.
I grew up traveling the world, as the daughter and then wife of Air Force Servicemen. Sitting at home was never an option. There was exploring to be done and adventures to be had. We only had three years in that spot and we were going to absorb everything we could in the time we had.
When Tony and I got married and settled down to raise a family in Michigan, we decided that our kids would finish school in the same district they started in, something neither of us ever had. And Oh My Lanta was that ever challenging! I’m not meant to be in one place for long.
Well, Tony and I continued to travel. Sometimes together, sometimes, I’d head out on my own or with the kids or even friends. Life is short, and there’s a big ol' world to be seen.
You may see me as just your average, everyday chill person, but beneath this calm exterior lies a wild spirit bursting with wanderlust! Yep, it's true - I've got that itch for adventure coursing through me like twinkling fairy lights. Deep down, I've got this secret dream. I'm talking about winning the Powerball, hitting that jackpot, and then bam! Off I go, trotting the globe until every last dollar is spent. Wouldn't that be life?
So, when the opportunity presented itself to head to Scotland with the Celebrant Academy, I was 100% in. I had the most amazing time and felt like I had found my place. Like my soul was home. I really connected with other CA celebrants, met some cool Scottish Celebrants, visited spots seeped in history and lore, tried new foods, and explored beautiful open spaces. When I got home, I couldn’t wait for the opportunity to go back.
And there you have it. That’s me, I’m Sabra, and I’ll be your Local Tour Guide Assist while on your Scotland Retreat. I cannot wait to see you there!
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