Immersive Food Writing Retreat in Scotland During Harvest Season
21 - 25 Sep 2027
Join us for a week of community, connection and commensality in Galloway, on the south west coast of Scotland, surrounded by 600 stunning acres of fields, seashore and woodlands on the grounds a historic estate.
This unique event is inspired by nature, food and the written word.
It is led by chef and photojournalist James Gabriel Martin and poet and writer Marjorie Lotfi.
This retreat allows space and time to facilitate knowledge sharing and the exploration of culinary culture. It will also feature practical writing advice and workshops, as well as engaging experiences grounded in cooking, nature, heritage, and artistic expression.
This special event is taking place during harvest time, when the shores, hedgerows, fields and farms are brimming with abundant autumn offerings. We are also incredibly excited to host this at the same time as the Wigtown Book Festival, with 100s of events happening across the programme in the area. Wigtown was designated Scotland’s National Book Town in 1998.
Directly following our retreat we will host a very special communal dinner in the historic stables inspired by the written word, with the option for guests to also join.
Below you will find details on programme and pricing.
The cost of the retreat is built into the accommodation, with meals, workshops and selected bespoke activities included in the price paid for the room.
Spaces are limited.
Please email marjorie@gallowayhouseestate.com to book directly.
The Venue
Galloway House Estate was established in 1740 by the Earl of Galloway, who built a mansion house, Galloway House, and the village of Garlieston on the western shores of Wigtown Bay.
The estate comprises around 600 acres of fields and woodland laid out in a designed landscape, with a grand stables block, large walled garden and arboretum famed for its rhododendrons and handkerchief trees. The Earls of Galloway sold up in the early 1900s and the estate was owned by relatives of the Dewar whisky family until after the second world war.
The Walled Garden and Arboretum were gifted to a charitable trust, Galloway House Gardens Trust, which maintains the gardens for use by the public, while the mansion house was used as a school for children from Glasgow before being purchased as a rather grand private dwelling. In the 1950s the bulk of the estate was purchased by the McCreath family, who continue running the farm to this day. In 2000 the farmland became registered as organic and the milk from the dairy herd of 175 cows has been sold as organic milk for the past 25 years. Four unique self-catering properties are on the grounds.
Two Gate Lodges are set against woodland with sea views, and the Garden Apartment and Hay Loft form part of the original 18th century Stable Courtyard. Each property has been carefully restored to retain original features alongside modern comforts. All four properties have access to the sandy beach at the centre of the estate, as well as the tennis court, yoga loft, and outdoor swimming pool/hot tub on the Stables Courtyard.
What to expect
A food writing retreat reimagined for those seeking a more authentic experience.
Below you will find an example guide.
We prefer to keep an element of surprise and trust involved in how things unfold.
Days will be structured around workshops, group activities, writing prompts, reflective time and unique shared meals.
This event is a collaboration between:
Marjorie Lotfi, Writer, Kitchen Gardener, Galloway House Estate.
James Gabriel Martin, Photojournalist and Chef.
Finn McCreath, Organic Farmer and Founder Wigtown Festival Company.
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This retreat will run from lunchtime Tue 21st Sep until midday Sat 25th, offering ample time to immerse yourself in the Scottish countryside, take part in workshops and have downtime to reflect and explore, or write in reaction to the shared discussions and ideas of the morning.
We will be hosting a very special long table dinner in the stables on Saturday night, 2 Oct. Guests have to option to join for this event in addition to the retreat.
Fresh breakfast staples will be delivered to you on the first morning to set you up for the day. Top ups will be supplied as requested.
This is followed by a morning workshop, facilitated and led by your hosts. The discussions and topics will be informed by the group as a whole, but can include colour writing, honing your voice, food as sensory experience, building confidence as a writer and tips on getting your work out into the world.
Lunch will be provided, with the food being very much reflective of Scottish hospitality and seasonality.
Evening meals will be an opportunity to connect further, with an invitation for group interaction and learning. There will also be ample time for individual exploration and integration of the learnings during your free time between meals and workshops.
The schedule offers a blend of creative outlets and inlets from music to food and storytelling, aiming to leave you nourished and inspired.
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Please read the descriptions of accomodation available in the section below. We have included imagery of Galloway House Estate and the lodgings available. There is a link to contact the venue directly to book in.
A 30% non-refundable deposit is required to secure booking. This ensures that we are able to run this small and intimate gathering.
In your booking email please clarify if you have any dietary restrictions or allergies.
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Chosen accommodation.
Breakfasts.
Lunches.
Treats and afternoon refreshments.
Dinners/demos, with wine included.
Writing workshops.
Selected activities.
Accommodation
Cruggleton Lodge | 2 Bed & 1 Bath | Sleeps 4
£2,800 per person single occupancy | £2,200 per person double occupancy
Georgian lodge situated on a spectacular cliff top with uninterrupted views out to sea.
The lodge contains a careful mix of antiques and modern pieces, with wood floors throughout, an Aga in the kitchen and a wood-burning stove. Upstairs, there are two beautiful bedrooms, one double and one twin, with spectacular views and a small working space between the bedrooms.
From the back door, the beautiful coastal path leads through the estate’s woods to a safe, sandy beach to the north, and along the cliff edge to the ruins of 13th century Cruggleton Castle to the south.
To book please email marjorie@gallowayhouseestate.com
High Lodge | 1 Bed & 1 Bath | Sleeps 2
£3,200 per person single occupancy | £2,200 per person double occupancy
Beautifully restored 18th century gamekeeper’s cottage with sea views.
The cottage sits on a hill overlooking the sea and the Galloway hills in the distance, with not another house in sight. Inside the cottage, the sitting room has a real fire, great books, a chess table and a decanter of whisky.
The view from its oriel window looks out over green fields and woods, across Rigg Bay to the Galloway hills. The kitchen, with its modern, oil-fired Aga, keeps the whole house warm on even the coldest of days. The bathroom has a free-standing bath and a view of the orchard to the back of the cottage. A romantic double bedroom is tucked under the beams with skylights for stargazing.
To book please email marjorie@gallowayhouseestate.com
The Hay Loft | 2 Bed & 1 Bath | Sleeps 4
£2,500 per person single occupancy | £2000 per person double occupancy
The Hay Loft is a beautiful, recently renovated apartment in what was originally the hay loft of our 18th century stables courtyard on Galloway House Estate. It has a large, enclosed lawn and garden with an organic vegetable patch. The bright apartment has exposed beams and natural flooring, two double bedrooms and a modern bathroom. The open-plan sitting room/kitchen has a wood-burning stove, one wall of books, and a new kitchen.
The Hay Loft is located on the stables courtyard beside Stables House (where meals will be taken), the outdoor heated swimming pool and hot tub, tennis court, yoga loft and workshop studio, and is a short walk to the estate’s walled garden and sandy beach.
To book please email marjorie@gallowayhouseestate.com
The Garden Apartment | 3 Bed & 2 Bath | Sleeps 6
£2,500 per person single occupancy twin room | £1,900 per person double occupancy twin room
£2,600 single occupancy for king (en-suite) bedroom |£2000 per person double occupancy king (en-suite) bedroom
The Garden Apartment is a beautifully restored apartment in what was originally stable hand accommodation in our 18th century stables courtyard on Galloway House Estate. It has a large, enclosed lawn and garden with an organic vegetable patch for your use .The apartment has exposed beams and natural flooring, a wood burning stove and wall of books in the sitting room, with one large double bedroom with a king-sized bed (ensuite shower room) and two twin bedrooms sharing the bathroom at the end of the hall, which has a shower and large freestanding roll-top bath.
The Garden Apt is located on the stables courtyard beside Stables House (where meals will be taken), the outdoor heated swimming pool and hot tub, tennis court, yoga loft and workshop studio, and is a short walk to the estate’s walled garden and sandy beach.
To book please email marjorie@gallowayhouseestate.com
Pavilion Cottage | 2 Bed & 1 Bath | Sleeps 4
£2,800 per person single occupancy | £2,200 per person double occupancy
Pavilion Cottage sits within the estate's walled garden, a stone's throw from the newly renovated original glasshouse. It has lovely a outdoor space, with several seating areas in its own large private garden, and a private heated swimming pool. The cottage is a five minute walk up to the Stables Courtyard, where meals and workshops will take place, and a 2 minute walk from the large sandy beach within the estate's boundaries.
Walks for all ages and abilities start from your door, and you can head south on the shore path through primrose woods to Cruggleton Cliffs and the castle beyond. Or head north towards Garlieston village via the woodland garden and arboretum of Galloway House Gardens, famous for its spring display of azaleas and rhododendrons.
To book please email marjorie@gallowayhouseestate.com
