Retreat to Assynt

If you need a bit of peace and quiet to get on with a writing project, or indeed any other creative project, why not come to Assynt? From 20-25 July, Glencanisp Lodge will be hosting a creative writing retreat, and I'm delighted to be able to invite people back to this most spectacular setting.

Since the Assynt Foundation bought a huge chunk of this land, bringing the beautiful mountains of Suilven, Canisp, Cul Mor and Cul Beg into community ownership, I've periodically booked what used to be the laird's hunting lodge and invited anyone who wants to come to join me in a retreat there. We've done this 15 times over the years, and it has never failed to inspire people to produce writing beyond their wildest imaginings. I've watched people write the first poems they have written since school. I've been amazed as writers have poured out literally thousands of words of a novel or a memoir. We've had people finishing their novel, writing their first ever short story and even writing a complete play.

When you see the landscape, perhaps that's not surprising. It is, in Norman MacCaig's words, 'this most beautiful corner of the land'.

The Lodge has been refurbished to a wonderful level of comfort, and there are rooms to suit all purses, from grand and en suite (£425 full board), to budget with shared bathroom (£295 full board). If you'd like to join me from 20-25 July, please contact Sara Corkish at Assynt Foundation, email: info@glencanisp-lodge.co.uk or phone 01571 844100. See the Glencanisp Lodge website for more details: