Photos from Past Retreats

Open Retreats

These retreats have no themed agenda, but are open to individuals, couples and groups who seek time alone and/or together with others in which to relax, read, write, take photographs, paint, draw, walk in the woods or over the hills or along the coastline – in fact do as you please over the whole weekend long.  You will be free to create your own balance between the indoors and outdoors, solitude and company, activity and relaxation, discussion and contemplation.

                     

                   

Is this the Kind of Retreat for You?

               

These weekends will appeal to those who seek to give permission to themselves to get away from it all and meet like-minded people who enjoy exploring their creativity, sharing its fruit and participating in creative discussion.

Cost:

£180 per person

£150 roomshare per person

Couples: £275

Non-residential attendance £80

Costs may increase in high season (high summer, October and Easter holidays)

Further information:

My website is down at the moment, but if you want to learn more about the retreat, please email me or call on: 07960 823 712

News

For the time being all retreats will be confined to the South Ayrshire area, within which venues may change from time to time.

Creative Writing Retreat in Alloway, Ayr,

Autumn 2013

I room left for single person (£180) 

or couple (£275)

‘Writing with a Sense of Place’ in the Heart 

of Burns Country, with Alistair Paterson

8th-11th November

As well as being the birthplace of Robert Burns, home to the Robert Burns Birthplace Museum and fabled location of his infamous poem, ‘Tam o’ Shanter’, Alloway is a picturesque suburb of Ayr giving easy access to town, coast and country.  Within walking distance of the retreat cottage (which is situated directly opposite Burns Cottage) are the Auld Haunted Kirk of Alloway, Burns Monument Gardens, Brig o’ Doon, Maclaurin Art Gallery, Rozelle House, Belleisle Park and Rozelle Estate.  In less than a mile from the cottage you will find yourself on the beach via a tree-lined walk along the River Doon.  Further afield South Ayrshire possesses a plethora of underrated and largely unknown riverside walks, coastal paths and hillwalking country.  

The retreat will begin on a Friday at 6pm (access can be gained from 3pm onwards), and finish at 10am on the Monday morning.

Cost:

£180 per person

£150 roomshare per person

Couples: £275

Non-residential attendance £80

Further information:

My website is down at the moment, but if you want to learn more about the retreat, please email me or call on: 07960 823 712

Visit my newly-created blog:

Retreats Blog: http://creativewritingretreats.blogspot.co.uk/

Forthcoming Retreats

Creative Writing Retreats

Winter sunset over Ayr Bay with Heads of Ayr to the left

Creative Writing Retreat in Alloway, Ayr, Scotland,

Spring and Autumn 2013


‘Writing with a Sense of Place’ in the Heart 

of Burns Country, with Alistair Paterson

As well as being the birthplace of Robert Burns, home to the Robert Burns Birthplace Museum and fabled location of his infamous poem, ‘Tam o’ Shanter’, Alloway is a picturesque suburb of Ayr giving easy access to town, coast and country. Within walking distance of the retreat cottage (which is situated directly opposite Burns Cottage) are the Auld Haunted Kirk of Alloway, Burns Monument Gardens, Brig o’ Doon, Maclaurin Art Gallery, Rozelle House, Belleisle Park and Rozelle Estate. In less than a mile from the cottage you will find yourself on the beach via a tree-lined walk along the River Doon. Further afield South Ayrshire possesses a plethora of underrated and largely unknown riverside walks, coastal paths and hillwalking country. 


Dates: 31st May-1st June & 8th-11th November



The retreats will begin on a Friday at 6pm (access can be gained from 5pm onwards), and finish at 10am on the Monday morning.

Cost:

£225 per person In May/£180 per person in November

£180 roomshare in May/£150 in November

Couples: £325 in May/£275 in November


Further information:

My website is down at the moment, but if you want to learn more about the retreat, please email me or call on: 07960 823 712.

prism.atic@virgin.net

Testimonials

I loved the combination of fresh air and walking with my muse ( with of course the obligator notebook) in a beautiful location – all topped off with inspirational evening sessions with other writers.

Rachel Tennant

'During his retreats Alistair fosters a fantastic creative and supportive atmosphere among the group. His approach is meditative and transcending, which enables me to access new levels of self awareness in my writing.  It's such a treat to have the whole weekend in a lovely setting to write and enjoy the conviviality of Alistair and other retreat members'

A Anderson

The Loch Lubnaig retreat was my favourite for several reasons.  Firstly I loved living in a cabin on the banks of the loch; it was a setting that inspired a 2 page poem of writing with a sense of place.  I walked alone, along a few paths and enjoyed the scenery very much and this reflected in my poem and I felt at one with the surroundings.  As I re-read the poem just there I thought that I could never have written that at home.  It is one of my better bits of writing and I really enjoyed it. 

Secondly, to come back and share it with a lovely crowd of kindred spirits was wonderful.  We then all went out for a meal to the Laid Inn which was great. 

Thirdly, to escape for a couple of days from your normal routine is a relief and we should do more often.  It slows you down, it gives you a chance to reflect and it gives you a great memory.  BBC radio appeared and spoke to us; it was amazing to hear it on the lunchtime book programme. 

Andy Young 

Simply one of the best decisions I ever made was to go to Alistair's writing retreats.  Gives me the time and space to write that I never seem to get anywhere else.  A perfect blend of solitude when you want it and great company in the evenings when many a bottle of red is downed and the woes of the world are put to rights.

Jax Leck

The view of the village of Kippford perched prettily on the edge of the Rough Firth inspired my senses and the friendly welcome added to the ambiance.  There was no pressure to write and we each went our separate ways to explore the surrounding countryside returning to find our individual space in the cottage.  So many ideas in my head it was difficult to know where to start but as I watched the wild birds feeding outside the kitchen window the committee in my brain seemed to relax. This resulted in some form of disciplined thinking and positive creativity.  Very quickly I was able to trust my new friends who hours before had been strangers; I was enthused by the encouragement and generosity afforded to me by all.

Jenifer Harley

The reasons I enjoy the retreats so much are myriad:

• The inspirational leadership from Alistair, healing writers block, directed creativity, looking at the world in a new way.

• To talk about writing with Alistair, without boring your listener, sharing that passion for the written word with fellow travellers, making new friendships and refreshing old friendships.

• Having the private uninterrupted space and time to luxuriate in the written word, no distractions.

• I have written pieces I am proud of when I have been on retreat, pieces I have taken to my group in Livingston and they have been appreciative. 

• Alistair instills confidence that writing and then sharing is a truly positive experience.

Anne Gilmour

I first met Alistair in 2006 after a google search for creative writing retreats. My sister lives in Glasgow so I decided to attend Alistair’s creative writing retreat near Mull of Kintyre whilst visiting her.

Alistair met me with a warm smile and right from the start there was a relaxed atmosphere. His love for writing and poetry was only paralleled by his love for nature and the places that he carefully chooses for his retreat locations. Alistair really gets the link between the natural world and creativity and I feel blessed to have found such an amazingly wise creative writer tutor who has become a dear friend to me over the years.

His classes and retreats, that I attend whenever I am in Scotland, are inspiring and refreshing. You can tell he teaches from the organic place of a writer who knows what he is talking about and values the holistic experience of writing itself.

Alistair’s creative writing retreats are always a chance to get back to your creative roots in a cosy, supportive and relaxed environment.

What Alistair lacks in pretence and pomp he makes up for with his fiery enthusiasm for writing. It’s contagious. Full support and encouragement are always guaranteed in his classes and retreats that are amazing value for money.

I am currently writing my first novel and a happy customer. I will definitely attend again when I am in the UK.

Paula Hogan

West Ryde,

Sydney,

Australia

The weekend retreats provided by Alistair Paterson are inspirational. A unique blend of expert coaching and encouragement in a peaceful yet memorable location. The Solway coast affords a breathtakingly beautiful backdrop, to the expansive cottage, which affords a congenial atmosphere for meditation and writing. Finding your writing muse is so much more intriguing in the company of Alistair, the facilitator and an ever-increasing group of innovative, enthusiastic budding writers. This has been, for me, an unforgettable and moving experience. 

Linda-Jane Paterson

Accommodation excellent; setting magnificent.  Run with 'sensed' direction, guidance
received osmotically, atmospherically.  This was an enriching experience.  You leave
feeling "I was glad I was there".   There is a seamlessness a bout the rhythm of the retreat - up- breakfast - meditation -write - explore - pause - explore more - out for a meal - back for a fireside evaluation - bed.  Very sympathetically and helpfully run.

Iain Stuart
 

Great Idea, helpful on many levels and inspiring.

Jasmin Clark
 

Very relaxing, helped the creativity of my writing flow.  Amazingly enjoyable.  I look forward to coming again

Brian Ross
 

Most enjoyable.  Meditation opened up a whole new range of subjects to write about

Fiona Croeser

I find the most difficult aspects of writing is finding ideas.  Even with the time and opportunity provided, I still found it hard to get something to write about.  Possibly the experience of the writing weekend will have planted seeds that may provide material for use at a later date.  I did enjoy the few days.  The most interesting part for me was hearing what others had written.

Betty Maclean
Clydebank Writers' Group

I found the weekend most enjoyable and constructive.  I found myself looking at things from an entirely different point of view and I think  this was due to our tutor's own enthusiasm and knowledge of his subject which he passed on to the group.  I also enjoyed hearing everyone else's work and feel that I could write more on the subject now that there is no pressure to finish to a deadline.

Christina Byrne
Clydebank Writers' Group

A very enjoyable and interesting weekend.  The exercise on Saturday, a trip to McCaig's Folly, where we had to try and absorb the atmosphere of the whole area and later write about what feelings were stimulated and how the complete trip had inspired us.  That evening we met up to read our work.  Of course everyone had a different interpretation of the day.  The diverse writings were quite amazing.  Alistair gave useful criticism.  Most enjoyable.

Madge Laider
Clydebank Writers' Group

Most enjoyable weekend.  The opportunity to be amongst the like-minded people helped me with the writing.  The retreat is a wonderful idea and the benefit of having a tutor of such experience and enthusiasm was most welcome.

Jim Shanley
Drumchapel Writers' Group

Same as Jim, great weekend and look forward to doing it again.

Eddie Woods
Drumchapel Writers' Group

A most enjoyable experience, to spend time with like-minded people and be guided and encouraged by Alistair.  He tries to get us to look at ordinary things and events in an out-of-the-ordinary way.  To listen to our 'inner voice' and see things with our 'inner eye'.  Because of our group, and tutor, we are enabled to express what would otherwise lie dormant in our minds.

Claire McWilliams
Clydebank Writers' Group

I thoroughly enjoyed my weekend writing retreat. Alistair was an inspirational teacher, the view from our cosy cottage picturesque, and my fellow writers a delightful group. I look forward to going again. 

Audrey Sheppard

About Alistair Paterson

Based in Ayr and working all over the UK, Alistair Paterson is a published poet, creativity coach/trainer and creative writing tutor registered on the Scottish Book Trust’s Writers’ Register.

He brings “the manner of the poet” to his role as a creative writing tutor and creativity coach and trainer, thus empowering clients to see into and beyond the phenomena of life experience with which we consciously and unconsciously interact on a workaday basis.

Working in the corporate, voluntary, public and private sectors, he is available to facilitate training sessions, workshops and school visits all over the country.  Much of his work also involves setting up and running writing projects with people who have special needs, learning difficulties, and also with users of mental health and addiction services.

His poems have appeared in many literary magazines and anthologies in the UK and on the continent.

Poetry Pamphlets:

Quadrivium

Elements

Songs

Metaphysic

Wests

Artist Books:

Touchings

 with Bertrand Bracaval

(Éditions le Pré Nian, Retaud)

http://pagesperso-orange.fr/printcottage/)

Glasgow Street/Boulevard St Germain

with Robert Pillard Valère

(Éditions Preuves d’Artistes, Paris)

Alistair Paterson’s Poetics Blog:

http://alistairpatersonpoet.blogspot.com

prism.atic@virgin.net

07960 823 712