Residential Courses and Retreats

A special occasion

It is thirty years since Moniack Mhor opened its doors, welcoming our first poetry course in 1993 with Liz Lochhead, Roger McGough and guest, the late Aonghas MacNeacail. Once a working croft of cattle barn and cottage, the buildings fell into disrepair in the 60s, until it was discovered by Kit and Sophia Fraser in 1991.

After a 24-hour fundraising poethon, lots of letters to trusts and foundations, nearly two years of restoration and many invites to novelists, poets, playwrights and many more, the centre began its new life as a creative hub for writers.  It’s with huge admiration for the literary community that they invested their time and energy in the early years to make the centre what it is today, that we venture forth into our 30th year.

From 17th May 2023 to 16th May 2024, we’ll be celebrating this milestone year in as many ways as we can, so look out for more stories, memories, special courses and events on our website, blog, and social media networks.

Residential Courses & Retreats

  • 2349 Tutored Retreat: Fiction with Amanda Smyth and Kevin MacNeil, Guest Reader Jenny Brown
    Mon 4th Dec - Sat 9th Dec
    Fully Booked

    This week-long tutored retreat offers an opportunity to focus intensively on a work-in-progress.


    Read more and book your place.
  • 2350 Christmas Retreat
    Mon 11th Dec - Sat 16th Dec
    Limited Places Available

    Forget the festive rush, and come to Moniack Mhor for some writing instead. This could be the perfect gift to yourself – time, space, and the permission to write, with festive treats laid on!


    Read more and book your place.
  • 2403 January Retreat
    Mon 15th Jan - Sat 20th Jan
    Fully Booked

    Join us for a rejuvenating start to the new year, where words flow freely in the Highland air.


    Read more and book your place.
  • 2404 Songwriting with Kathryn Williams and Dan Willson, Guest Reader Louis Abbott
    Mon 22nd Jan - Sat 27th Jan
    Fully Booked

    Unleash your inner songwriter, find your voice, and connect through music in an immersive week of workshops, co-writing sessions, and inspiring performances for all levels of experience.


    Read more and book your place.
  • 2405 Late January Retreat
    Mon 29th Jan - Sat 3rd Feb

    Amidst snow-draped hills and crackling fireplaces, let the season’s chill invigorate your pen.


    Read more and book your place.
  • 2406 Fiction with Ross Raisin and Kim Sherwood, Guest Reader Ron Butlin
    Mon 5th Feb - Sat 10th Feb

    Navigate the final stretch of your novel-writing journey with expert guidance. Our intensive workshop series will equip you with the tools to overcome hurdles, refine your narrative, and reach the triumphant finish line.


    Read more and book your place.
  • 2407 Historical Fiction with Margaret Elphinstone and Vicky MacKenzie, Guest Reader S.I. Martin
    Mon 12th Feb - Sat 17th Feb

    Uncover the art of crafting vivid historical fiction – from meticulous research to imaginative leaps into the past.


    Read more and book your place.
  • 2412 Spring Retreat - Week 1 of 3
    Mon 18th Mar - Sat 23rd Mar
    Fully Booked

    Whilst the natural world wakes up and stretches, join us for an untutored retreat to place your writing at the forefront. Join us for this week only or stay longer for more dedicated writing time during our spring retreat series.


    Read more and book your place.
  • 2413 Spring Retreat - Week 2 of 3
    Mon 25th Mar - Sat 30th Mar
    Fully Booked

    As the days draw out, come to Moniack Mhor for a week of undisturbed writing time. Join us for this week only or stay longer for more dedicated writing time during our spring retreat series.


    Read more and book your place.
  • 2414 Spring Retreat - Week 3 of 3
    Mon 1st Apr - Sat 6th Apr
    Fully Booked

    We are dedicating this time of year to the calm of retreats. Join us for the last in our three-week series of spring retreats to give your writing that extra push. 


    Read more and book your place.

 

View our Online Courses here

 

Radical Care Retreats with Childcare

Following the success of our 2022 Radical Care Retreats with Childcare, Moniack Mhor are currently developing plans for future delivery of a similar retreat with childcare support.  If this is something you would like to know more about, please email us to register your interest on radicalcare@moniackmhor.org.uk

 

Coming up later in 2024….

As well as these residential courses in Songwriting, Fiction, and Historical Fiction in early 2024, we also have a wealth of genres in the pipeline for the rest of 2024. These include Poetry, Fiction, Crime, Non-Fiction, Short Fiction, Playwriting, Writing & Walking, and Memoir, as well as courses exploring themes such as nature, climate change, and parenthood. We’ll let you know as soon as these are ready to book.

 

 

 

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