For women in the second half of life
Isle of Iona, Scotland
Argyll Hotel
In order to book a place on any of the retreats please contact Katy at the Argyll Hotel, book, and pay directly. You can reach the Argyll Hotel over the phone at +44 (0)1681 700334 or send them an email at reception@argyllhoteliona.co.uk
Finding your shape-shifter
April 1st to April 6th 2025
A creative retreat for women who are ready to explore the soulful side of menopause through myth, creativity, nature, and the spirituality of transformation.
We will dive deep into the mythical landscape of the selkie, a shape-shifter on an underworld journey, to explore the ways in which menopause is a time of inner exploration, shape-shifting, and expanding creativity.
You are invited to use your chosen creative medium—writing, poetry, drawing—to respond to the myth of the selkie.
We will explore a different aspect of the story each morning in our group sessions. The afternoons are for your individual creative practice. There will be plenty of time for nature connection. In the evenings we will gather for Wisdom Circle, a time to connect and share stories, celebrate creativity, and explore the midlife metamorphosis.
With its natural beauty, beaches, seals, and long history of pilgrimage, Iona is an ideal place to nourish body and soul.
ALL INCLUSIVE (ACCOMMODATION, MEALS, RETREAT FEE): £1200
Exploring Self-Portraiture
July 5th to July 8th 2025
A creative retreat for women in midlife, menopause, or the wisdom years who are ready to explore the crone archetype through myth, creativity, nature, and the spirituality of embodiment.
You are invited to explore self-portraiture using your chosen medium—nature writing, memoir, poetry, drawing, photography, or environmental art.
Who is the Cailleach? Where is she? What does she teach about life, death, and rebirth?
We will seek the face of the Cailleach in myth and in nature, listening closely for the wisdom about the art of letting go, how to see in the dark, where to find authenticity, how to be an agent of change, and how to stand in Mystery.
We will explore the story and landscape of the Cailleach in our morning group sessions. The afternoons are for individual creative practice. In the evenings we will gather for Wisdom Circle, a time to connect, share stories, and celebrate your creativity.
Iona, with its big sea and sky, and craggy coves, is the perfect place to dive into your creative practice and search for the face of the Cailleach. Where will you find her?
ALL INCLUSIVE (ACCOMMODATION, MEALS, RETREAT FEE): £750
Writing your Personal Myth
October 9th to October 15th 2025
A creative writing retreat for the woman who has been through menopause and is ready to explore her new role as a wise woman crone through myth, nature, and creative writing.
You’ve made it through menopause, a rite of passage, a midlife rebirth! You’ve been busy reflecting and reviewing the story of your life. You now wonder: What next? Who am I now? What are my gifts? How can I contribute to my community?
This retreat is a chance to spend time in solitude and in community exploring the spirituality of elderhood through the lens of the wise woman archetype. Each morning, we will dive deep into a myth, looking for clues about what it means to be a wise, wild, and whole woman. The afternoons are for writing your personal myth. In the evenings we will gather for Wisdom Circle to share stories, longings, and how we might be agents of change in a world that desperately needs wise women to embody wisdom, love, and power.
At the end of the retreat, there will be a Story Feast to share our personal myths and a Blessing Ceremony.
ALL INCLUSIVE (ACCOMMODATION, MEALS, RETREAT FEE): £1200
Contact Katy at the Argyll Hotel, book, and pay directly. You can reach the Argyll Hotel over the phone at +44 (0)1681 700334 or send them an email at reception@argyllhoteliona.co.uk
All participants are responsible for transportation to and from Iona. It’s a ferry ride from Oban to Craignure on Mull, a bus across Mull to Fionnphort, and then a 10-minute ferry to Iona. This requires paying close attention to the ferry and bus times.
Check-in at the Argyll Hotel is from 2pm. Due to the ferry timetables and public transportation across Mull, most people arrive around 3.30pm. On our first day we will meet for dinner, followed by our first evening session.
Departure will be from 10am. Most people catch the 9am bus across Mull.
A good pair of walking shoes, waterproofs, and warm clothing. Even in the summer it can be cool in the evenings. If you require snacks, bring them along with you or purchase at the local Spar on the island that’s open from 9 to 5 daily.
Anything that’s portable. Keep it simple. You won’t have a lot of space to work unless you are working outside. I suggest a journal, computer, writing pens and pencils, drawing materials, watercolours, and sketchbooks. Again, you want to consider space and portability. You might want to bring a portable chair or cushion if you want to work outside.
Consult with Katy from the Argyll Hotel. You can reach the Argyll Hotel over the phone at +44 (0)1681 700334 or send them an email at reception@argyllhoteliona.co.uk
Of course, contact me here, and we can arrange for a call.
I guide women navigating the soulfulness of menopause to reveal their heart-based wisdom, gifts, and purpose for a regenerative world full of compassion and meaning.
Copyright @ 2024 Nicki Wilkins All rights reserved