Lee-Anne McAulay, author of Echoes on a Fractal Line, invites you to join her for Echoes in the Stones, an immersive, author-led retreat designed exclusively for historical fiction writers who long to reconnect with their voice, deepen their craft, and write where the past lingers in stone, fire, and story.
On this retreat you will benefit from workshops led by the author, Lee-Anne McAulay, gain experiences to inspire and spark ideas and find dedicated time to write and connect with other writers of the same genre.
Set at Powis House, the Retreat will come to life among the tranquility, history, nature and comfort of this 18th Century Estate, taking you away from distractions and the loneliness of writing, placing you among history & historical fiction peers, nestled beneath the beauty of the Ochil Mountains amidst 9 acres of tranquil gardens, just minutes from Stirling, Scotland.
This unique, immersive 2 night/3 day writing retreat in one of Scotland's most historic locations, will not only nuture your creativity, but you will do so in luxury, staying in beautiful cottages, with fully stocked kitchens, Chef cooked dinners, access to our natural swimming lake, wood fired hot tub as well as optional activities taking in the local history & natural beauty of the area.
Lee-Anne McAulay
Lee-Anne works and writes in Central Scotland. Her life long love of stories led her to take an English Degree and, from there, to an 18 year career as a teacher, and as a successful author. Join Lee-Anne for Echoes in the Stones is an immersive writing retreat that invites authors to step into the worlds they write, exploring history, landscape, and sensory detail to deepen your craft. Walk the lands your characters walk, taste what they taste, and write with authentic depth. Transform your writing, story by story, place by place.”
Accommodation
Relax in our two sumptuous, three bedroom cottages, with ample private and shared space. Choose between a double or single room, shared or private. Each cottage has shower rooms, bathrooms, kitchens and living space.
Dinner Chef & stocked kitchen
Self serve organic, fresh produce from the kitchen for breakfast and lunch, and indulge in homemade, healthy and hearty dinner from on of our local partner Chefs.
Spaces
Both cottages have plenty of space to find your own private corner to think or write, always with a window to gaze through, while the Summer House with wood burner provides incredible views and the Main House dining room allows you to come together for workshops.
Local history & Powis
Stirling is a city steeped in Scottish history, including the pivotal Battle of Stirling Bridge in 1297, where William Wallace led Scots to victory over the English. Nearby, the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314 saw Robert the Bruce defeat English forces, securing Scotland's independence. Stirling Castle, perched on a volcanic crag, has witnessed centuries of royal events, including the coronation of Mary, Queen of Scots, in 1543.
The land that became the Powis Estate likely formed part of the ancient medieval fields of Stirling in the 1400s - long before the house was built, this soil was trampled by soldiers and sovereigns. As the Jacobite Rebellion was quashed Powis House was being built in 1746. The land here holds stories and secrets of the past
Swimming Lake & Hot Tub
Relax in our wood fired hot tub, natural swimming lake and Summer House with wood burner overlooking the mountains.
Our Packages
Twin room £795pp
King bed, shared room £895pp
Includes Friday, Saturday and Sunday sessions, 2 x chef cooked dinners, stocked kitchen for 1 x dinner, 3 x breakfasts and 2 x lunches, 2 nights accommodation, use of the grounds, optional activities and optional transfers
Schedule
Friday
Arrival & Settling In
Opening Circle by the Fire
“Why We Write the Past” ritual & introductions
Heart Chef cooked supper cooked
Whisky Tasting + Storytelling Session
Optional moonlit walk or journaling by candlelight
Saturday
Breakfast
Workshop: Whispers from the Past
Writing Block
Lunch
Trip to Stirling Castle
Editor Workshop
Chef Cooked Dinner
Candlelit Reading Circle
Firelight reflections or quiet time
Sunday
Breakfast & Coffee Journaling
Final Guided Writing Session
Lunch
Explore the Estate, writing time or reflection
Closing Circle
Parting gifts
