4 nights / 5 days
Dates: 3rd of July-7th of July 2026
Cost: £1200 pp
Morayshire in the Scottish Highlands is a truly wonderful place to immerse yourself in nature, and to connect with the stunning coastal environment. The Moray Firth boasts some of the most incredible natural assets of Scotland: a warm climate, endless sandy beaches, rocky coastlines, forest trails, clear rivers, lochs, quaint sea towns with a rich maritime history and endless acres of woodland. Wildlife thrives in the unspoilt landscape, from seabirds to seals along the coast, dolphins and whales in the sea, red squirrels and a rich birdlife. It is a special place - a true ‘bluezone’ environment, recognised as supporting our greatest wellbeing. The negative ions of the water support our positive energy!
Innergoldlife Retreat – Harness Your Natural Energy for Change
This five-day retreat is an exploration, designed to take you on a journey towards greater calm and a sense of flow. The experience will help you develop positive, expansive perspectives, and find some of your ‘inner gold’.
Inspired by deep experiences of the facilitator Karen Darke and a small team we will help spark your imagination, creativity and appreciation of nature - supported and inspired by the spectacular landscape and seascape.
Some benefits of joining :-
Activation of positive lenses and creation of new possibilities.
Enhanced self-awareness and positive perspectives.
Strategies to overcome fear and embrace challenge and change.
Tools for visualisation, relaxation and a greater sense of calm.
Daily practices to facilitate more flow and ease.
Connection to your inner motivation.
Development of self-trust and compassion.
Based in the area of Roseisle in Morayshire, this offers a fantastic opportunity to fully indulge yourself in the beauty of the surrounding area and to experience a closeness to nature. With nature sensitive guides you will kayak and paddleboard to explore the coast or lochs, enabling intimate access to nature. There will be options for open canoeing on the River Spey and guided nature time, exploring and foraging. For those who like a dip, there will be opportunities for a few open water swims.
A unique retreat to help you connect with nature and find your own inner flow. This will be a great opportunity to enjoy all the beauty and benefits that time on and near the water brings.
As much as possible, we will find sheltered, peaceful locations to explore on the beautiful coast of Scotland. Costs will include all equipment hire, sea kayaks, instruction and guiding. It will also include supportive sessions with tools to help you balance and strengthen your mind and body. We will have coaching conversations and support you on your journey to new horizons.
Guided Activities:
Sea Kayaking
Paddle Boarding
Open Swimming
River swims and Sauna
Yoga
Fun outdoor activities
Breathwork sessions
Forest excursion
Bushcraft workshop
*massages available
*Please note that all activities, local transport and meals are included. Accommodation is
not included but can be arranged for additional payment.
Accommodation:
There are a few, limited places to stay at the event base in Roseisle for 4 or 5 nights. This is an option if you would like to either camp, or stay in a summer house with a simple bed and use the facilities within the house. Please let us know if this is of interest, and there will be a small extra charge. There is a beautiful wheelchair accessible holiday cottage which is very close by, with space for four people (two bedrooms). Please let us know if you have interest in this and we will connect you.
The following accommodation providers are also recommended. If you need assistance booking
this we can help.
Tel: 01343 850111
Food and Drink:
All food will be provided over the retreat. Meals use local fresh ingredients and may include foraged items gathered during the course of activities. Any special dietary needs should be stated at time of booking.
Location:
We will be based at Westbank View, Roseisle, Morayshire, IV30 5YD. It is one mile from the Moray coast and Moray coastal trail. It is located near the coastal hamlet of Cummingston, with the villages of Hopeman and Burghead a short walk away. It is a special place in a beautiful location, and this area is renowned for its micro-climate and as one of the driest / sunniest places in the United Kingdom.
It is an ideal base with easy access to transport hubs in Inverness, Elgin and Aberdeen. Airport transfers can be arranged. Full directions will be provided after booking.
Transport:
A minibus will be on hand to support the retreat including to and from paddling locations and
accommodation.
Given the rural location of the event, having your own vehicle or bike for getting around would be helpful. If traveling by public transport, the nearest railway stations are Elgin or Forres (6.5 miles or 9 miles respectively), and then a short cycle or taxi ride. The nearest airport is Inverness, 29 miles away (approx.. 40 mins by vehicle) with regular daily flights to most UK major airports. Check flight options is at www.skyscanner.net.
Accessibility:
All of the activities can be made accessible for most people and we actively encourage
anyone with a disability to get in touch so we can support you on this retreat.
Your Hosts
Your lead host is a former Paralympian Gold Medalist. Karen Darke could be described as a modern-day ‘Alchemist’: a learning & development specialist turned mindset- heartset coach, explorer, athlete, speaker and author. Karen’s purpose is about helping individuals and organisations ‘Find Inner Gold’: turning challenge into opportunity, turning ‘lead’ into ‘gold’ and developing habits that enable sustainable approaches to high performance.
“Ability is a state of mind…” is Karen’s philosophy. Speaking about mindset, positive psychology,
growth through challenge and how to optimise potential and flourish, Karen gives valuable insights,
“To have our best impact on the ‘outside’ involves mindful work on the ‘inside’.” Her direct experiences combined with unique studies of mind, resilience and performance give Karen abilities to help others overcome challenge, perform sustainably, embrace a growth mindset, positively impact emotions, presence and wellbeing.
Leeanne Mackay
Leeanne currently works within the Primary Care Mental Health Team for NHS Highland supporting individuals to learn and implement tools and strategies to better manage their mental health and manage stress, anxiety and depression. She is also s a Trainer / SVQ Assessor within the Social Services and Healthcare sector and believes in the power of continuous learning and development to enhance one’s confidence and well-being. She incorporates the use of “blue spaces” such as seas and lochs to support self-management in mental health, she is committed to guiding others on their journey towards personal growth and emotional resilience.
A dedicated individual with a passion for helping others. With an extensive background working for NHS Highland Care at Home / Enablement Team she has a deep understanding of setting small achievable goals to enable individuals to regain skills and independence lost due to ill health.
Along with her Paddleboarding instructing, Leeanne is a qualified Yoga teacher and has brought this practice to the water with her Yoga Bliss classes. Supporting individuals to slow down and calm the mind with different sequences and breathing techniques. The gentle movement of water offers calming effects and supports to reduce stress and promotes a sense of inner peace. A refreshing and rejuvenating way to connect to mind, body, soul and the elements.
A range of other providers will assist in making this retreat extra special during the course of the five days.
Ali Garrow
A former police hostage and crisis negotiator, Ali Garrow has spent a lot of time supporting people through difficult times and learning about the emotional ups and downs of life. During his later years in the police he developed wellbeing programmes to support officers who had encountered traumatic and life-changing circumstances during the course of their duties. As a keen paddler he combined his love of water-sports with his practical insight into mental health and developed the paddlewell initiative and founded the charity Blue Space Highland with Leeanne Mackay. He also runs Moray Kayaking.
Ali loves to guide people and coach kayaking with a focus on the mental health benefits as a motivating factor.
To book a place on this amazing retreat please complete the details required below. A 50% deposit of £600 is required to secure your place. The balance payable 28 days in advance of the event.
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