A Retreat for me
Birthday Bliss in the Woods:
A Soulful Retreat in Arbroath
Each May, for my birthday month, I like to gift myself something meaningful — a chance to pause, recharge, and step away from everyday life. This year’s retreat in Arbroath was exactly that and more.
We arrived to glorious sunshine, the kind that instantly lifts your mood. Before checking in, I met a friend for lunch and a wander along the harbour. The sea air, the gentle sound of the water, and the warmth of the day felt like the perfect beginning to what would become a truly special few days.
From there, we drove to a beautiful estate nestled deep within the woods. The house itself was stunning, but more than that, it felt comforting from the moment you stepped inside — warm, peaceful, and welcoming. Debbie, our host, greeted us on arrival and showed us to our rooms. I had a double room all to myself, which felt like pure bliss. Every window looked out onto the forest, and waking up surrounded by trees and birdsong was wonderfully calming.
Over the three days, we experienced such a lovely mix of activities. One of them was a Shamanic Journey session. If I’m honest, nothing particularly profound happened for me during it, but it was deeply relaxing and gave me time to simply be still. We also had a wonderful yoga instructor who brought such joyful energy to the retreat — at one point we all ended up dancing outside together in the sunshine, which felt incredibly freeing.
Another highlight was making our own face cream. The workshop was led by a lovely woman who had started creating skincare products as a hobby during lockdown. It was fascinating to experience the whole process from start to finish and to learn how something so simple could be made with such care and creativity.
We also had a medium named Ross visit the retreat, and he was absolutely amazing. During my reading, halfway through, all the lights suddenly went out! It was one of those moments that leaves everyone speechless and laughing at the same time. It certainly made the experience unforgettable.
Another memorable part of the retreat was having our aura photographs taken — and, believe it or not, my colour was Indigo. Whether you fully believe in those things or not, it felt strangely fitting and added to the magic of the weekend.
More than anything, the retreat gave me time to rest and reconnect. I wandered through the woods, swung on the swings in the walled garden like a child again, and spent time connecting with wonderful new friends. It was peaceful, uplifting, and exactly the kind of birthday gift I needed to give myself this year.