Acorn Writing Retreats at
Craigengar Lodge,
Crosswoodhill Farm Holiday Cottages
Scotland
A Rural Sanctuary for Writers
Described as a “taste of Scottish paradise”, the multi-award-winning Craigengar Lodge at Crosswoodhill Farm Holiday Cottages offers writers the opportunity to step away from everyday demands and focus on their writing.
Space to settle into your work. Space to think and create. Space to make meaningful progress in the company of a supportive community of fellow writers.
Crosswoodhill feels wonderfully removed from the noise of daily life while remaining within easy reach of Edinburgh and Glasgow. With panoramic views, open skies, grazing cows and sheep across 1,800 acres of farmland, it is an inspiring new home for Acorn’s structured and nurturing writing retreats.
Our retreats are open to academic, creative and professional writers who would benefit from dedicated time, thoughtfully designed schedule and the encouragement to write alongside others. Whatever form your project(s) takes, you will be welcomed into a caring environment curated to help your words take root.
Upcoming Writing Retreats
at Craigengar Lodge, Crosswoodhill Farm
Holiday Cottages
13th - 15th October 2026
1st - 4th December 2026
Bespoke writing retreats for private groups are available to be arranged.
Pricing Details Including Extended Stays Listed Further Down This Page
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Craigengar Lodge:
The Heart of the Retreat
At Crosswoodhill, our main writing sanctuary is the magnificent Craigengar Lodge, which appeared as “Glenfairn Lodge” in the BBC comedy Two Doors Down.
“Peace, quiet, serenity just punctuated by mooing cows and grazing sheep in the surrounding fields, and currently anti-social house martins who nest under the eaves and are no respecters of hairstyles.”
- Geraldine Hamilton, Owner of Crosswoodhill Farm Holiday Cottages
Spacious and filled with natural light, this five-star lodge sits among wide-open fields, woodland and an abundance of wildlife and farm animals. Its panoramic countryside views provide an inspiring backdrop to our retreats, while its generous open-plan living areas give us room to write together, share our goals, celebrate our progress and enjoy delicious meals and treats. Quiet corners throughout the lodge also offer space to pause and reflect.
With beautiful oak wooden flooring and five bedrooms named Ash, Beech, Pine, Rowan & Spruce, this distinctive lodge feels almost destined to become a place where writers and ideas can grow.
Writers seeking greater seclusion may also have the option to stay in one of Crosswoodhill’s other cottages. These include The Wing, which is well-suited to co-authors or writing buddies, and the luxurious Orlege End. Cottage accommodation is subject to availability and may incur an additional cost.
Writer’s Testimonial
“Returning to Scotland for my second Acorn Writing Retreat was a wonderful decision. Craigengar Lodge provided the perfect combination of peaceful countryside, beautiful views and a warm, welcoming atmosphere.
Rebecca created a thoughtful balance of structured writing sessions, guided reflective activities, flexibility and genuine encouragement. This helped me make meaningful progress on my doctoral corrections while also giving me the space to reflect, regain focus and reconnect with my goals.
I left the retreat with a clear plan, renewed determination and the momentum to continue. I returned home feeling productive, refreshed and proud of what I had achieved. I would warmly recommend an Acorn Writing Retreat to anyone seeking focused progress in a supportive, inspiring and restorative setting.”
Dr. San’a M from Jordan (2026)
Where Focus Meets Freedom
An Acorn Writing Retreat gives you dedicated time for the work you have been trying to begin, continue or complete.
Our retreats follow a thoughtful structure of focused writing sessions, mindfulness activities, restorative breaks, regular opportunities to share intentions and progress as well as plenty of treats and thoughtful touches so you feel looked after and cared for. This structure helps you remain accountable without turning the experience into another source of pressure.
You will be encouraged to take part in the writing sessions so that you can fully benefit from the retreat’s momentum and shared sense of purpose. Outside those sessions, there is time to rest, network with other writers and enjoy the peaceful surroundings.
You might arrive with a clear list of goals or with a project that has become difficult to navigate. Either way, you will find a welcoming environment in which to:
Begin a new writing project
Reconnect with a neglected project
Work through a difficult chapter or section
Make progress towards a deadline
Develop a more sustainable writing practice
Enjoy writing alongside people who understand its challenges
There are no expectations around genre, subject or word count. What brings each group together is a shared commitment to making time for writing.
Inspiring
Schedules
-
Monday 12th October 2026
Arrive from 6.30pm and settle into Craigengar Lodge before the retreat begins.
Optional additional night: £140 B&B———
Day One: Tuesday 13th October
1.00 - 1.30pm: Arrival & Settle In
1.30 - 2.00pm: Welcome, Intros & Light Lunch
2.00 - 2.30pm: Goal-Setting & Writing Warm-up
2.30 - 3.30pm: Writing Session
3.30 - 4.00pm: Refreshment Break
4.00 - 5.30pm: Writing Session
5.30 - 5.45pm: Stretch, Glow & Grow
5.45 - 6.00pm: Reiki-Infused Meditation (optional)
6.00 - 7.00pm: Time to Relax
7.00pm: Dinner
Board games available for evening socialising.———
Day Two: Wednesday 14th October
8.30am: Breakfast
9.10 - 9.30: Goal-Setting & Writing Warm-Up
9.30 - 11.00: Writing Session
11.00 - 11.30: Refreshment Break
11:30 - 1.00: Writing Session
1.00 - 1.30: Group Walk or Relax
1.30 - 2.10: Lunch
2.10 - 2.30: Mindfulness Activity
2.30 - 3.30: Writing Session
3.30 - 5.00: Bookshop Visit (optional) or Relax
5.15 - 6.15: Writing Session
6.15 - 6.30: Stretch, Glow & Grow
6.30 - 7.15: Relax
7.15pm: DinnerBoard games available for evening socialising.
Travel to and from Biggar Bookshop will be arranged through car-sharing.
Day Three: Thursday 15th October8.30am: Breakfast
9.10 - 9.30: Goal-Setting & Writing Warm-Up
9.30 - 11.00: Writing Session
11.00 - 11.30: Refreshment Break
11:30 - 1.00: Writing Session
1.00 - 1.30: Pack-Up or Relax
1.30 - 2.30: Celebration of Achievements & Lunch
2.30pm: Standard Retreat Departure
2.30 - 3.30: Final Writing Session (optional)
3.30 - 4pm: Departure for Writers Joining the Final Session———
Optional Additional Night: 15-16 October
Stay for one more peaceful evening at Crosswoodhill, with departure by 10am on Friday 16th October.Optional additional night: £140 B&B
———
This schedule may be adjusted slightly depending on the group, venue and temperamental Scottish weather. -
Monday 30th November 2026
Arrive from 6.30pm and settle into Craigengar Lodge before the retreat begins.
Optional additional night: £140 B&B———
Day One: Tuesday 1st December
1.00 - 1.30pm: Arrival & Settle In
1.30 - 2.00pm: Welcome, Intros & Light Lunch
2.00 - 2.30pm: Goal-Setting & Writing Warm-up
2.30 - 3.30pm: Writing Session
3.30 - 4.00pm: Refreshment Break
4.00 - 5.30pm: Writing Session
5.30 - 5.45pm: Stretch, Glow & Grow
5.45 - 6.00pm: Reiki-Infused Meditation (optional)
6.00 - 7.00pm: Time to Relax
7.00pm: Dinner
Board games available for evening socialising.———
Day Two: Wednesday 2nd December
8.30am: Breakfast
9.10 - 9.30: Goal-Setting & Writing Warm-Up
9.30 - 11.00: Writing Session
11.00 - 11.30: Refreshment Break
11:30 - 1.00: Writing Session
1.00 - 1.30: Group Walk or Relax
1.30 - 2.10: Lunch
2.10 - 2.30: Mindfulness Activity
2.30 - 3.30: Writing Session
3.30 - 5.00: Bookshop Visit (optional) or Relax
5.15 - 6.15: Writing Session
6.15 - 6.30: Stretch, Glow & Grow
6.30 - 7.15: Relax
7.15pm: DinnerBoard games available for evening socialising.
Day Three: Thursday 3rd December
8.30am: Breakfast
9.10 - 9.30: Goal-Setting & Writing Warm-Up
9.30 - 11.00: Writing Session
11.00 - 11.30: Refreshment Break
11:30 - 1.00: Writing Session
1.00 - 1.30: Group Walk or Relax
1.30 - 2.10: Lunch
2.10 - 2.30: Mindfulness Activity
2.30 - 3.30: Writing Session
3.30 - 4.00: Refreshment Break
4.00 - 5.30: Writing Session
5.30 - 5.45: Stretch, Glow & Grow
5.45 - 6.30: Relax
6.30 - 7.00: Travel to Cornhill Castle
7pm: Festive Dinner at The Ghillie, Cornhill Castle
After dinner: Return to Crosswoodhill
Day Four: Friday 4th December8.30am: Breakfast
By 10am: Departure
Travel to and from Biggar Bookshop and Cornhill Castle will be arranged through car-sharing. Drinks at Cornhill Castle are not included and may be purchased separately.This schedule may be adjusted slightly depending on the group, venue and temperamental Scottish weather.
Please note that our schedules are subject to change based on weather conditions, so we may have extra moments to enjoy and explore the great outdoors.
Writer’s Testimonial
“So I arrived late and weary to Craigengar.. but was given a lovely welcome by Rebecca and a cup of tea.. these were not in short supply for the remainder of my stay. The welcome given by Rebecca was surpassed only be the welcome the Lodge emits! The beds were comfy, the rooms spacious and awesome, the views ridiculous and the quiet was sublime.
The retreat worked for body and mind and as always the support from the structure and the people was uplifting.
It was great to meet the owner and congratulate her on creating such a wonderful escape. I cannot wait until next time.”
Dr. Sue Shippen, York St John University (2026)
Pricing Information
Writing Retreat Rates
Acorn Writing Retreats operates a tiered pricing model, allowing writers to select the rate most appropriate to their circumstances. Every writer receives the same retreat experience regardless of the rate selected.
Three-Day Writing Retreats
13th - 15th October 2026
Sprout Rate: £425 | Standard Rate: £555 | Community Rate: £675
Rates above are per person and include two nights’ private, single-occupancy en-suite accommodation at Craigengar Lodge, meals and refreshments, retreat materials, the structured retreat programme, guided activities and facilitation.
Sprout Rate places are limited and subject to availability.
Writers may arrive the evening before and/or extend their stay an additional night for £140 per night, subject to availability.
Four-Day Writing Retreats
1st - 4th December 2026
Sprout Rate: £550 | Standard Rate: £695 | Community Rate: £850
Rates above are per person and include three nights’ private, single-occupancy en-suite accommodation at Craigengar Lodge, meals and refreshments, retreat materials, the structured writing programme, guided activities, facilitation and a celebratory dinner at The Ghillie, Cornhill Castle.
Drinks purchased at Cornhill Castle are not included.
An optional additional night with breakfast is available for 30th November for £140.
All participants receive the same retreat package regardless of the rate selected. Cottage accommodation outside Craigengar Lodge may be available for an additional fee.
If you are interested in a writing retreat on dates other than those listed, please contact us.
Acorn Writing Retreats at Crosswoodhill Farm Holiday Cottages are intentionally designed as all-inclusive experiences in a small group setting, giving you the time, structure and support to fully focus on your writing.
Your retreat package includes accommodation, nutritious meals and refreshments (mindful of dietary restrictions), a thoughtfully structured writing schedule, guided activities and access to Crosswoodhill’s inspiring rural surroundings.
At the heart of each retreat is the magnificent five-star Craigengar Lodge, where our shared writing sessions, meals and moments of connection will take place.
Accommodation at Crosswoodhill
The standard retreat rate includes private, single-occupancy en-suite accommodation at Craigengar Lodge.
Writers seeking additional privacy may have the option to stay in one of Crosswoodhill’s other cottages (car is required), including Orledge End or The Wing. Cottage accommodation is subject to availability and may incur an additional cost.
Extend Your Stay
There is also the option to arrive the evening before your retreat and/or extend your stay for an additional night, allowing for a more relaxed beginning or end to your experience.
Additional accommodation with breakfast is £140 per night, subject to availability.
Booking & Payment
To reserve your retreat, please complete our Reservation Form.
Deposit: A £200 deposit is required to confirm your place.
Full payment is required 28 days before the retreat begins.
Please read our Terms & Conditions for further details.
Gift Vouchers
Gift vouchers are available for Acorn Writing Retreats and are valid for up to 12 months, subject to availability.
They make a thoughtful gift for a dear writer in your life. They are also a useful way to secure a future retreat using current funding if you are not yet ready to choose your dates.
Ready to Write?
