A New Dawn for a Scottish Castle
A new dawn for a Scottish castle
By Alexandra Moncreiffe
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 10 - WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2025
Upon entering the heraldic lined walls of Birkhill Castle, the last thing one might expect to find is gatherings of artists, entrepreneurs and astrologers, stretching into elemental inspired yoga in the ballroom. Who knew the sun filled kitchen would be lulling gritty New Yorkers into breakfast lollers with a locally sourced banquet. At night, in the library, where once men sat smoking cigars, strangers now sit spellbound by the crackling fire, learning the secrets of their stars.
I wonder if my Scrymgeour ancestors ever imagined their legacy as a space for reemergence of the divine feminine. Birkhill Castle, once a pleasure home for shooting and celebrations is now welcoming an entirely different kind of party.
Birkhill lies on the banks of the river Tay estuary, gazing towards the shores of Dundee where freshwater meets salt. What better setting for Rebecca Gordon and I to drop the anchor of our shared vision for the feminine reimagined? The ancient spirit of the place still rings clear among the Yew trees and Scotts Pines it is nestled within. These towering trees seem to bridge heaven and earth, it’s as if their top most branches caress the stars and their roots reach down through many years gone by.
Through our own star-led sessions and mycelial ceremonies, among this beautiful landscape, we have been helping our guests rediscover themselves as bridges between worlds. Rebecca and I held our first retreat here in 2023. It was a magical time and we are very excited to return to birth an even greater vision that has been growing since we began. In the heart of Scotland surrounded by 1500 acres of nature Birkhill has been the perfect place to bring people back into a sense of belonging. This has been especially true for our friends from across the Atlantic who share Celtic roots, though, ultimately, we can all recognise a common mother in nature herself.
Scotland’s mountains bring one such a sense of calm and peace whilst being so alive with history, every sharp edge has been smoothed by the waves of time. Ancient stories are woven into her patchwork kilt of glens, rivers and woods. Her feminine curvaceous landscape resembles the body of the divine mother herself. The land is so benine one can run barefoot across the rolling heathery hills.
Despite Scotland’s rainy reputation, her sunny caresses bless more often than you’d imagine and never scorch. They draw one out scampering in the day to luxuriate in her lochs, rock pools, flower- laden woods and hilltops, all often bursting with gentle medicinal herbs, berries and tasty fish or two. Her cool evening breeze makes curling up next to the fire with a well earned feast all the more blissful. Scotland can be a nourishing and gentle mother and now her riches are available for you to experience at our luxurious retreats at Birkhill.
Birkhill, Rebecca and I now open our doors, inviting you to open yours to a renewed awareness, birthed in deep reverence for the forests, glades and crystalline waters that reign here.
By Alexandra Moncreiffe of Shieling Retreats
We would love you to join our next retreat: “The Birth of Venus” at Birkhill during 10th - 15th October 2025. Rooms start at £3800 . Book your place here
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