Gather the Keeners Retreat 2025: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Registration closes on 7th June 2025
** If you’re not planning to travel independently before the retreat and would like to join the main group travelling from Glasgow to Mallaig, due to changes in the CalMac ferry timetable, the Saturday morning train (30th August) no longer arrives in time to connect with the ferry.
Instead, a minibus will depart from Glasgow Central Station at 8am on Saturday 30th August, ensuring we arrive in Mallaig in time for the ferry. For the return journey on Saturday 6th September, the minibus will collect us from the ferry and drop us back at Glasgow Central Station around 11pm. The return minibus journey costs approximately £99. **
1. What is the Gather the Keeners Retreat?
The Gather the Keeners Retreat is a weeklong retreat on the Isle of Eigg, Scotland, focused on grief, loss, and healing through the practice of keening, art, storytelling, and ritual. Participants will engage in keening circles, trance dances, doll-making, walks, and creative projects. The retreat also offers personal reflection time and group sessions.
2. Who can attend the retreat?
This retreat is open to women, including trans women, and those who identify outside of the gender binary.
3. What activities will be included in the retreat?
Activities include some of the following:
Keening Circle
Trance Dance
Doll-making
Collage
Storytelling
Weaving
Walking Pilgrimages
Exploring sacred sites
4. What’s the retreat location and accommodation?
The retreat takes place on the Isle of Eigg, part of the Inner Hebrides of Scotland. Accommodation is provided at Glebe Barn Hostel, a converted 19th-century building. Accommodation is based on shared room with single beds or bunk beds (you will have the entire bunk bed to yourself). There are no single rooms available.
5. What is the cost of the retreat?
The cost is £1229 (approx. USD $1590) for seven nights' accommodation, all meals, and art materials. A non-refundable deposit of £399 is required to secure your booking.
If you sign up before 30th April 2025, you will receive a £100 discount applied to your remaining payment (not the deposit).
Payments can be made via PayPal, or if you live in the UK or Ireland, by bank transfer.
6. What is included in the price?
Seven nights’ accommodation at Glebe Barn
Meals: Dinner on arrival day, daily breakfast, lunch, and dinner, plus breakfast and packed lunch on departure day
All materials for art projects and doll-making
Personal care and attention from the retreat organiser, Jude, and her assistant
7. What is not included in the price?
Travel costs to the Isle of Eigg
Travel insurance (recommended)
Optional taxi rides on Eigg
Meals or drinks not specified above
Any medical treatment costs
8. What should I pack?
Scottish summers can be unpredictable, so it's important to pack for all weather conditions. A packing guide will be provided after booking, but recommended items include:
Hat - which can be both a sunhat and provide warmth
A swimsuit (potential sea or loch swimming)
Comfortable hiking boots
Quick dry trousers
Waterproof jacket
9. How many people attend the retreat?
This is a small and intimate retreat so the maximum number of particpants is 13. There are threee staff (Myself, and assistant and a cook). The retreat needs a minimum of seven fully registered participants to go ahead.
10. What are the cancellation and refund policies?
Deposits are non-refundable.
If you have paid in full before the 7th June 2025, and wish to cancel before this date you’ll receive a refund minus your deposit.
If a replacement booking is secured, the deposit will be refunded minus a £99 admin fee.
Cancellations will be considered from 7th June 2025 up until 21st June 2025 only if a replacement booking can be secured. In this case you will receive a full refund of your payment, minus a £99 admin charge.
No cancellations can be made after the 21st June 2025.
11. Can I transfer my place to someone else if I can’t attend?
If a participant wishes to transfer their paid retreat place to a friend or acquaintance, this is permitted provided the transfer is made before 28th June 2025. An admin fee of £99 admin fee will be charged for the transfer, which will made by the original participant.
The individual taking over the place must meet all retreat requirements and agree to the same terms and conditions as the original participant. The transfer request must be submitted in writing and approved by the retreat organizer before the new participant is confirmed.
Please note that transfers are not possible after 28th June 2025.
12. What happens if the retreat is cancelled?
In the rare case that the retreat is cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances (e.g., natural disasters, pandemics), all participants will receive a full refund minus any transaction fees.
13. What travel documents do I need?
If you’re traveling from outside the UK you may need to apply for an ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation). It is your responsibility to ensure you have the appropriate travel documents.
14. What is the fitness level required for the retreat?
A basic level of fitness is required, with the ability of walking 3-5 miles minimum over varied terrain. We take frequent breaks and you can book the local taxi if you wish.
15. Is there a drug and alcohol policy?
Yes, participants are asked to refrain from using drugs, alcohol, smoking, or vaping during the retreat.
16. Do you have a Covid-19 policy?
If you develop COVID-19 symptoms, you’ll be asked to wear a mask or face covering indoors. Activities may be held outdoors or in well-ventilated spaces as needed, and you’ll be asked to limit contact with locals.
17. What is the media and photography policy?
Participants will be asked to specify their wishes regarding photography and video recordings:
I do not wish to be photographed or recorded.
I am comfortable being photographed, and my image may be used on social media or other promotional materials.
I am comfortable with others taking photos for social media or public sharing.
I only agree to private use of photos, not for public sharing.
18. What if I have a medical condition?
Participants must disclose any relevant health or mental health conditions that could affect their participation. Ensure you bring any necessary medications with you.
19. What if I need medical assistance on the island?
The Small Isles Medical Practice is available for temporary residents and visitors. It is advisable to have adequate travel insurance to cover any potential medical needs.
20. What if I need to leave the retreat early?
If you need to leave the retreat early, you are still responsible for the full cost, as no refunds will be provided if you leave early.
21. Do you have a gender policy?
Yes, we mentioned this in # 2 - The retreat is open to women, including trans women, and those who identify outside of the gender binary.
22. Is there any communication after booking?
After you pay your deposit, you’ll receive an invitation to join the retreat portal. Here you can introduce yourself as well as checking out the additional information such as:
What to bring
Travel details - from the travel plan for Saturday 30th August, leaving Glasgow by train and making the journey to Eigg by ferry and suggestions of local hotels
Invittion to take my ‘Introduction to Keening’ short course
A guide to information about Eigg
Details on the Travel ETA, a digital document required by those living outwith the UK
A Zoom invitation for meeting with fellow participants after registration has closed
23. Do I need to travel from Glasgow to Mallaig on my own?
No - the group generally meets in Glasgow on the Saturday morning, boarding the West Highland Way train which takes us to Mallaig. (Please see the note at the top of the page for more details).