Secret Island, Summer Solstice Quest

Scotland, 19th to 23rd June, 2019

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We are delighted that this year’s summer programme will take place in a very remarkable place – a secret island off the coast of Scotland, during the Summer Solstice.

Secret Island Quest is a core Way of Nature programme, including an introduction to essential Way of Nature tools and practices and the magic of a 24-hour quest right on the ocean. All the while we will also make time to explore the island, and to enjoy the sea, good fires and wide open summer skies.

The journey begins on the west coast of Scotland, where we will transfer to the island by boat and arrive to be the only humans around (along with other wonderful sea creatures.). Over the days, we will weave a journey that combines Way of Nature practices, your personal quest, mini-adventures around the island and work to take the benefits of the experience alive back home.

Through the process we focus on certain core Way of Nature principles. These include the principle of relaxation, the principle of presence, and principles to support connection with the flow of life.

The Nature Quest itself involves finding a spot on the island, marking a circle between nine and eighteen metres in diameter, and staying in that space to let everyday life fall away and to let life and all kinds of inght emerge around you in a different way.

On your Nature Quest you take as little as possible with you. A tent is optional, as is food, but we certainly leave all books, devices and other forms of distraction behind. It’s difficult to explain how special and helpful this space can be… even when you least expect it, it is like a deep ‘reset’ button for the heart and mind.

After the ‘solo’ we come back as a group to share insights from the experience, and to explore how to take these back into our own lives and work. At a time when humans feel so far from deep nature, this part of the process seems more and more important.

We host this journey with a careful balance of care, dedication and joy for this place and this kind of experience. Time and time again we have heard people say that it has helped to shift something profound and longlasting in their lives.

The Place

The Secret Island sits four miles off the mainland of Scotland. It is a mere two kilometres long by a kilometre wide, shaped by rugged cliffs and rock pools on one side and white sand beaches on the other. With no roads, jetty or pier on the island, we will be the only people there – landed on a beach by the family who has spent the last forty years there.

On the island sits a single house, kept company by a ruined fourteenth century chapel, a host of wild animals and the Brounie – the spirit that watches over the place. The island is truly magical and an unheard-of rarity in this packed and packaged modern world.

We are very happy and honoured to be able to use this place, and in this way help the family’s intention to preserve the island as a nature reserve.
programme

Programme

This is about carving a different quality of space and time.

Some of what we will cover:

– Tools and practices dedicated to relaxation, awareness and connection, supported by nature
– Moving exercises and meditations to support stillness, flow and awareness (inspired by T’ai Chi and Qi Gong (pronounced Chee Gong)
– A personal ‘Nature Quest’ in an extraordinary private place on the island, supported to do so with extra care at this time of year
– Space for personal practice, writing, drawing and more
– Fire-side conversations dedicated to stillness and connection to everyday life
– Plenty of down time and time to be in a personal solo spot on the island
– A later call to keep insights and lessons alive back at home

Guide

Andres Roberts is a guide dedicated to a new kind of progress, fit for a positive future for all. His work combines renewed ideas about learning and change, reconnection to Nature, and the wisdom of ancient cultures to help more positive, and more systemic, change happen. Building on twenty years of experience in learning and leadership, Andres has studied with respected elders from across the world, helping to make ancient wisdom and Nature-based practices more accessible in the modern world. Andres is co-founder of Way of Nature UK and founding partner of The Bio-Leadership Project.

Costs

The price for the full retreat including all activities, practices, accommodation and food from Wednesday to departure on Sunday  is £625 and £550 Early Bird price for registrations before 10th April 2019. As always, we will also offer bursary options by application. Please get in touch to find out more.

All participants are welcomed on this programme as guests of the island, and fees contribute as private donations towards protecting and restoring nature.

Booking

To book your place on this programme please complete this registration form, following payment instructions at the end.  

For more information please email [email protected].

Equipment and Camping 

We ask that you bring your own camping equipment for this programme. Please check our packing list to ensure you have everything you need. 

Travel Information

The meeting point for this programme is on the West Coast of  Scotland, three hours drive from Glasgow. We will be looking to depart for the island on the morning of the 19th June, so you may need to travel on the 18th June. We will depart the island to have people back in Glasgow by 3pm on the 23rd June.

The arrive at the secret island we will be met by our hosts at a meeting destination on the west coast of the Kintyre peninsula. The location is accessible by road from Glasgow, and there is a regular bus route.