A Scotland Retreat with Suzy Bogguss

May 23-30, 2023 • Kincardine Castle • Aberdeenshire, Scotland

Limited to 15 PSCW Alumni

This retreat has been filled.

Please Email Lydia if you’d like to be added to the cancellation list.

Castles, bagpipes, fiddles, songwriting, churches, whisky, dancing, kilts, royalty, singing, history … these are just a few of the delights waiting for our small group of creative spirits during our retreat in the beautiful Northeastern part of Scotland. Aberdeen City and Shire is a land where majestic landscapes meet the sea, is a part of the Royal Family’s life, and is home to cultural and historical gems.

Acclaimed artist and songwriter Suzy Bogguss will be our guest teacher during the week, with morning songwriting classes, hands-on song crafting, and exercises to help open up your channels of inspiration. Plus lots of playing, singing, sharing and laughing!

Lydia Hutchinson knows how to throw a well-organized, world class educational songwriting experience in mystical and magical parts of the world! And all the participants were engaging, highly creative and fun for me to share this experience. One of the best gifts I’ve ever given to myself! —Joseph Leavell

Helping to plan and sprinkle her own magic on our week is Scotland’s beloved Fiona Kennedy—singer, songwriter, actress, broadcaster, and shimmering soul of fun. Included in her many honors is a 2014 appointment as Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for services to music and charitable services in Scotland … so with her help the things we have planned for you are once-in-a-lifetime experiences!

If there is any part of you that hesitates regarding the cost or taking the time off from your busy life to attend one of these workshops, all I can say is that clicking ‘submit’ was the best gift I ever gave myself. And it continues to give, even months and years later. Having now attended two of Lydia’s workshops, I can share in full honesty that she creates and seamlessly orchestrates the kind of experiences that you hold in your cell-memory; in your bones. The kind of moments where you realize why you are here, that you are capable of more joy and growth than you thought possible, that the world is still full of spectacular beauty and that you, your voice and your songs are worthy and deserving. —Jane Kramer

Joining us throughout the week will be the phenomenal fiddler, Scotland’s Paul Anderson. Paul is known as the finest Scots fiddler of his generation and already an icon in his country. He has composed over 450 tunes in the traditional Scottish idiom, performs around the world, teaches … and is one of the greatest guys you’ll ever meet. He and his wife, the celebrated singer Shona Anderson, will sprinkle their magic over our week.

Lydia finds extraordinary, magical places from which to host workshops. The journey through the week was luscious, thoroughly creative, progressive. Life-changing discoveries seemed to come in waves, through the days. —Janie Barnett

Our group of 15 will be staying at one of Scotland’s finest Victorian Castles, Kincardine, on a 3,000 acre estate overlooking the spectacular Royal Deeside in Aberdeenshire.

So if you’ve ever dreamed of visiting Scotland with a group of like-minded creative spirits, join us for this once-in-a-lifetime experience. And as I tell everyone joining us for Performing Songwriter Creative Workshops: Set aside all of your expectations and show up cracked open and ready for whatever’s to come. The stage will then be set for the universe to work its magic and change your life in ways you didn’t even know you needed.

—Lydia

fiddlenight

writing-exercise

teri-ellen-joy

teri_cows

sunset

stone_clouds

standingrockgals

songcircle

rockcirclegroup

robertsinging

riverdee

richard-jess-maddy

pipers-2

paul_fiddle

migvieclass

mattmilne_stones

mariewriting

mariemelindadunnotar

landscape_yellow-jm

joyhorn

johnbagpipe

happyhour

dunnatoroutside

dinner

dancing

dancing_above

class

celidhnight

caroldunnotar

braemarconcert

bnc_singing-jm

amy_joyhats

More Performing Songwriter Creative Workshop Testimonials Can Be Found HERE.

Any questions, email Lydia Hutchinson.

Register below

Details and Price

Once you’ve arrived at Kincardine Castle, you will be completely taken care of. All of your meals are covered except for one day that you will have on your own to explore other areas or hang around the castle.

Here is a list of a few of the things that are included:

• Transportation to Kincardine Castle from the Aberdeen airport—two shuttles will be scheduled on Tuesday May 23 and two from the Castle to Aberdeen airport on Tuesday, May 30. There is a train that is a bus ride away from the airport if you need to catch it to or from there if you’re traveling elsewhere.
• 7 nights in a beautiful antique-furnished bedroom with its own bathroom at Kincardine Castle: Arrive Tuesday Afternoon May 23, and leave Tuesday Morning May 30.
• Four mornings of songwriting classes with Suzy Bogguss with personal help with your songs during the week.
• Hearty, homemade breakfasts each morning for the group, served in the dining room.
• Light lunches of soups and sandwiches at the castle.
• Dinners and wine at the castle, prepared by their chef, including an opening night welcome extravaganza, closing night gala, a special night of fresh fish brought in from the coast, and before-dinner drinks each evening.
• An afternoon in the countryside, visiting churches, small villages, and more.
• A day in Royal Deeside, fiddle and bothy ballad night at the castle, a night at a local pub playing with Scottish musicians, a visit to Braemar with dinner and a musical event, just to name a few things planned …
• … and many more surprises.

All-Inclusive Pricing Per Person (except for airfare):

• $3,495 per person Double Occupancy Room With Private Bath (Available for 10 People) NOTE: You’ll need to have your roommate planned—we won’t be assigning people to room together.
  
• $4,595 Single Occupancy Room With Private Bath (Available for 5 People)

Payment:

• $1000 Deposit (Plus $1000 Single Room Supplement if Applicable) Upon Registration
• Second Payment of $1000 Invoiced and Due Jan. 1, 2023
  
• Third Payment of $1000 Invoiced and Due Feb 1, 2023
• Balance Invoiced and Due March 1, 2023

Must be 21 Years or Older

Cancellation Policy:

• All payments and deposits are non-refundable if we are not able to fill the spot. If we are able to fill the spot, however, you will be refunded all but $300.

Any questions, email Lydia Hutchinson.

Registration and Deposit

Registration is on a first-come basis, as well as room availability for the breakdown of single and double occupancy. You are not confirmed until the deposit is received, and you receive a direct email from Lydia confirming it and addressing any questions. If you end up not being confirmed after your deposit is paid because of the event and rooms being filled, you will be immediately refunded in full.

• NOTE: For double occupancy rooms (that have 2 single beds) you’ll need to have your roommate planned—we won’t be assigning people to room together.

This retreat has been filled.

Please Email Lydia if you’d like more information.

This Creative Retreat to Scotland has been filled. Please email Lydia if you'd like to be added to the cancellation list.