January 31, 2025 - February 3, 2025
Retreats
What's it like?
Book in for a themed retreat, an individually guided retreat or to make your own self-guided retreat at Kilmalieu, our beautiful estate on the rugged West Coast of Scotland. Alongside opportunities for rest, prayer and reflection, guests can be involved in practical tasks related to nature conservation. At the heart of Kilmalieu’s small community is a rhythm of prayer, a passion for hospitality and an eagerness to help guests to go deeper in their journey of faith.
See our upcoming retreats below, or get in touch to organise your own personal time away.
Upcoming Retreats
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February 21, 2025 - February 24, 2025
Banner-making and Personal Retreat
May 19, 2025 - May 23, 2025
Look at the Birds: A Birdwatching Retreat
October 10, 2025 - October 13, 2025
Surprised by Joy: Inspiration from CS Lewis Retreat
To see all our Retreats, click the button below.
Kilmalieu
Our retreats take place at Kilmalieu, our centre on the Ardnamurchan peninsula, which is an area of outstanding beauty and rich biodiversity. The 3,000-acre retreat centre on the rugged west coast of Scotland, boasts unparalleled beauty and wildlife. The ultimate escape, come to be active or to be still. Both will change your life.
FAQ's
What is a retreat?
Whilst God can be found in all things, sometimes it helps to step out of our usual activities and noise and pray for a while. This experience is often called a retreat. So, to go on a retreat is to withdraw for the purpose of focusing on your relationship with God, to have time to pray and consider the deeper things of life. Retreats are typically a guided experience but can vary in style, from weekends to weeks, from silent to a taught or guided retreat around a particular theme.
There are many different kinds of retreat, but a retreat experience is usually an experience of encounter and an adventure in prayer. Find one that works for you.
Why go on a retreat?
It is not always clear why someone wants to go on a retreat. Maybe you pray, but you feel that there could be more to your prayer. Maybe you have questions or decisions to pray about, discern ment you are seeking. Perhaps you would like to experience ways of praying or reflecting on scripture that you are unfamiliar with.
A key element of many retreats is quiet, even silence. Silence is not just the absence of noise from traffic, media and the constant flow of email and social media chatter. A retreat may help you to find inner silence. As St. Augustine wrote, “You have made us for yourself, Lord, and our hearts are restless until they rest in you”.
What happens on a retreat?
Abernethy Kilmalieu offers a wide range of retreats. Most include the opportunity to join with a our small team for morning and evening prayers. Some are organised around a particular theme; others are tailored to the individual. Some involve opportunities for spiritual accompaniment or coaching from an experienced retreat leader. Many of our retreats encourage participants to spend time outside, connecting with the Creator and praying while exploring the beautiful hills woodland and coastline. Some retreats encourage periods of silence; many involve times of option sharing with others. Look at our programme for a retreat that suits you and if you have any questions, please call us. Also, if you would like to enquire about putting together a retreat especially for a group, church or organisation you are part of, please get in touch.
Can I stay at Kilmalieu without joining a scheduled retreat?
Yes. We welcome enquiries from individuals and small groups (up to 22), either on a catered or self-catering basis. Please phone for further details.
