Solstice at Kilmartin: A Highland Week of Food, Legend & Magic
September 6–12, 2027 · Six Nights · Ten Guests
Join Marnie and Patrick, the creators of Solstice Savory Pies and Solstice Foodie Retreats, for an enchanting week at Kilmartin Castle, a 500-year-old Clan Campbell Castle, lovingly restored by owners Simon Hunt and Stef Burgon.
Standing at the head of Kilmartin Glen in the heart of Argyll, this extraordinary Castle and retreat offers an authentic, unhurried experience surrounded by standing stones, ancient burial cairns, and the wild rhythm of the Scottish Highlands. Guests savor hyper-local, deeply seasonal Scottish fare, prepared by two of Argyll's finest culinary teams.
Enjoy beautifully prepared dishes, a guided walk through one of the most significant archaeological landscapes in the UK, with the freedom to return to the standing stones and cairns on your own throughout the week, since it's all within walking distance of the castle, and a dreamy day at sea aboard a historic 1947 wooden vessel, with lunch on an island and dinner of fresh-landed seafood back in Crinan.
Beyond the food and setting, what makes this retreat truly special is the connection, sharing meals at one table, gathering by the fire for traditional music, and forming bonds that last long after the week ends. Guests are invited to slow down, to listen, and to experience the warmth of genuine Highland hospitality.
Forage on the castle grounds, learn to cook over open flame as the light fades over the hills, sit for a private Scotch whisky tasting created just for the group, and unwind in a natural swimming pond filtered by plants rather than chemicals. This is more than a retreat; it's an experience of connection, to people, to food, and to the true spirit of Scotland.
Kilmartin Glen was named the fourth place in the world to visit on The New York Times' "52 Places to Go," and Kilmartin Castle itself is where you'll call home for the week.
A CASTLE, NOT A HOTEL
Standing at the head of Kilmartin Glen, this Castle has watched over the landscape since the 1550s. Restored by owners Simon Hunt and Stef Burgon, it's filled with antiques, reclaimed materials, and original artwork — what they call "barefoot luxury."
The castle has caught the eye of travel press well beyond our own, winner of the "historic" category on BBC's Scotland's Greatest Escape, named among eviivo's Top 10 Vacation Rentals in the World, and featured in Monocle, The Sunday Times, and The New York Times. It's the rare place that photographs exactly as good as it feels to stand in.
Stone walls. Barrel-vaulted ceilings. Roaring fireplaces. A kitchen garden, an orchard, a wood-fired outdoor kitchen, a natural swimming pond.
For six nights, we won't be shown around it. We'll live within it.
These retreats have sold out in years past, so make sure to reserve early.
The royal footprint stone of early Scottish kings
Early Celtic kings of Dál Riata placed their foot into the carved rock footprint to symbolically marry the land and claim their right to rule.
FIVE THOUSAND YEARS, RIGHT OUTSIDE YOUR DOOR
Kilmartin Castle stands at the heart of one of Scotland's most extraordinary archaeological landscapes, and it's why the whole retreat is built around this particular glen.
FIVE THOUSAND YEARS, RIGHT OUTSIDE YOUR DOOR
Kilmartin Castle stands at the heart of one of Scotland’s most extraordinary archaeological landscapes—and it’s one of the reasons we chose this remarkable setting for our retreat. Kilmartin Glen holds one of the densest concentrations of Neolithic and Bronze Age monuments in the United Kingdom. Ancient burial cairns, standing stones, stone circles, and mysterious rock carvings are all within walking distance of the castle.
With a knowledgeable local guide, we’ll walk among these 5,000-year-old sites while discovering their archaeology, history, legends, and lingering mysteries. But this isn’t simply a scheduled excursion—the Glen will be your backyard for the week. You can return to the stones in the quiet of early morning, wander among the cairns at dusk, or revisit a place that captured your imagination.
We’ll also explore the newly rebuilt Kilmartin Museum, where artifacts discovered in the surrounding landscape connect directly to the ancient places you’ve just walked through. Your museum pass includes unlimited admission throughout your stay, so you can return whenever you wish. This isn’t history experienced only from behind glass—it’s a landscape you can walk through, touch, and explore at your own pace, right outside the castle door.
This isn't history behind glass. You'll stand where it happened, on your own time, and it's the reason this retreat is anchored here rather than anywhere else in Scotland.
Standing Stones & Ancient Monuments of Kilmartin Glen
Walking among Kilmartin Glen’s ancient standing stones, history feels less like the past and more like a whisper still moving through the land.
THE FOOD IS THE HEART OF IT
Langoustines pulled from Loch Craignish that morning. Highland venison with wild mushrooms foraged nearby. Local cheeses, garden vegetables, seafood that traveled only miles to reach the table.
We've partnered with Argyll's finest chefs, whose cooking is hyper-local, deeply seasonal, and refreshingly unshowy.
Every plate has a name attached: the fisherman, the farmer, the forager. Meals become an introduction to the people who sustain this corner of the Highlands in Scotland.
A thoughtfully selected assortment of wines, whiskies, ciders, beers, and mocktails is included each day.
DAYS DURING THE RETREAT
Foraging & Fire — Gather wild herbs and mushrooms from the grounds, then learn to build and cook over an open flame as the Highland light fades.
A Day at Sea — Aboard Sgarbh, a 1947 teak motor vessel out of Crinan. No fixed itinerary — wind, tide, and weather decide. Lunch ashore on an island. Dinner of fresh seafood in Crinan.
Living Traditions — An intimate evening at Kilmartin Castle of traditional music beside the fire. A lesson in wearing tartan the proper way, while you enjoy a dream of whiskey. It doesn't get any better than this for a true Scottish experience.
A Private Whisky Tasting — A local expert walks us through the aromas, regions, and traditions behind Scotland's most famous spirit.
Nightly Cocktails: Marnie will create a mix of classic Scottish cocktails and inventive drinks inspired by the flavors and ingredients of the region.
The Guided Glen Walk — A full day with a knowledgeable local guide among the standing stones, carved rocks, and burial cairns of Kilmartin Glen, followed by a visit to Kilmartin Museum and the historic parish churchyard. It's the introduction — your museum pass and the Glen itself stay yours to revisit on your own for the rest of the week.
And the Art of Doing Nothing — Swim in the natural pond. Curl up with a book by the fire. Sink into a dreamy bath in your room. Wander through the Glen. Sip a dram beneath the stars. Here, having time to simply be may be the greatest luxury of all.
FIVE ROOMS, EACH WITH ITS OWN CHARACTER
At the end of each day, one of Kilmartin Castle's five individually designed bedrooms is waiting. Each accommodates two guests, has its own private bathroom, and comes with robes, luxury linens, a hairdryer, a clothes steamer, Wi-Fi, and a Roberts radio. Bathrooms are stocked with Faith in Nature shampoo, conditioner, and wash; natural, cruelty-free, and vegan, in keeping with the castle's genuinely sustainable approach throughout. King and double beds do not separate into twins.
1550
Named for the year the castle was completed, this is a spacious and romantic first-floor room beside the grand hall. A king-size canopy bed sits beneath exposed stone, with a wood-burning stove for cool Highland evenings and views across the Glen. The bathroom is its own event, a freestanding Victorian cast-iron bath alongside a walk-in rain shower set within one of the castle's turrets.
Carswell
Named after John Carswell, the castle's first keeper, this second-floor room pairs a king-size bed with sweeping views over Kilmartin Glen and a window seat built for slow mornings with a book. Its standout feature is a handcrafted copper bathtub for two, alongside a walk-in shower and private WC.
Speel
"Speel" is an old Scottish word meaning "the climb". Fitting, since the room is reached by a small secret spiral staircase. Inside, soaring stone walls rise to a vaulted ceiling around a king-size bed and Glen views, and the copper bathtub for two sits with a rain shower set into the turret. It's arguably the most dramatic room in the castle.
Clarke
Wrapped in deep green lime-washed walls, Clarke pairs comfort with drama: an original stone wall rises nearly five meters overhead. The room holds a double bed, a walk-in shower, twin basins, and a separate WC, with artwork and fabrics chosen to feel restful and unmistakably Scottish at once.
The Snug
Tucked away on the ground floor, The Snug is the room for guests who'd rather skip the castle stairs. A barrel-vaulted stone ceiling and arrow-slit windows give it the atmosphere of a 16th-century keep, while underfloor heating, a Queen sized bed, luxury linens, and a modern walk-in shower keep it thoroughly comfortable.
THE NUMBERS
Early Bird — reserve before October 15, 2026 Double occupancy: £4,050 per person, about $5,500 at today's rate (£8,100 total for two, about $11,000) Single occupancy: £6,620, about $9,000 at today's rate
From October 31st, 2026 Double occupancy: £4,415 per person, about $6,000 at today's rate (£8,830 total for two, about $12,000) Single occupancy: £7,285, about $9,900 at today's rate (extremely limited)
Prices are set in British Pounds (£), since the retreat itself — the castle, the guides, the chefs — is priced and paid to our vendors in pounds, with 20% UK VAT included. The US dollar amounts shown are based on today's exchange rate and are estimates only; the exact dollar cost will be calculated at the rate in effect when you make your payment, so it may be slightly higher or lower than what's listed here.
Guests pay in US dollars, converted at the prevailing exchange rate at the time of payment — not the rate shown above. Payment is accepted via Zelle, check, or credit card (a 3% fee applies to credit card payments).
Includes six nights, all meals and beverages, private experiences and excursions, expert guides, transportation during the retreat, and pickup/return from Oban Train Station. International airfare not included.
Deposit & Balance A $1,000 deposit per person is required at booking and is non-refundable. The remaining balance is due four months prior to arrival.
Cancellation Policy Cancellations made less than four months before the trip are non-refundable. If a spot cancels within that four-month window and we're able to fill it from the wait list, 50% of the trip cost will be refunded.
We strongly recommend travel insurance to protect against unexpected cancellations.
To reserve your place, contact Marnie — email marnie@solsticesavorypies.com or call/text 1-530-409-2097.
Marnie and Patrick are traveling in Europe hosting retreats until October 21, 2026. With the time difference, please allow a little extra time for a reply.
BEFORE YOU GO
A restored castle to ourselves. A day at sea. Standing stones older than written history. Foraging, fire, whisky, music, gourmet and hyper local meals across Kilmartin's land.
This isn't just an annual vacation, this is a forever memory.
One castle. Many tables. Ten guests.
You won't simply visit Scotland. You'll leave feeling as though you finally met it.
Six nights. Ten guests. September 6–12, 2027.
Scotland Retreat Logistics
Once your reservation is confirmed, we’ll provide complete travel information, including directions for arriving by car or train and details about our shuttle service to and from Oban Train Station.
Whether you're flying from the United States, Canada, Australia, or elsewhere, we're happy to help you plan your journey.
Need advice on flights, train tickets, hotels, rental cars, or how to extend your stay in Scotland? We're happy to share our favorite recommendations and help make your trip as seamless as possible once you reserve your spot.
Our goal is simple: from the moment we greet you in Oban until we say goodbye seven days later, all you have to do is relax, enjoy, and immerse yourself in the beauty, history, and incredible food of the Scottish Highlands.
Please note that Kilmartin Castle is a historic property with multiple staircases and no elevator, so guests should be comfortable climbing stairs regularly. One guest room is located on the ground floor; however, stairs are still required to reach the main living room. Our itinerary also includes walks through Kilmartin Glen to explore its Neolithic sites. If you have difficulty walking longer distances or navigating uneven ground, we recommend bringing trekking poles.
To preserve the relaxed, adult atmosphere of this culinary retreat—which includes wine, whisky, and other alcoholic beverages—we welcome guests ages 15 and older.
Photos and video may be taken during the retreat and used for promotional purposes by Solstice Savory Pies and Solstice Foodie Retreats. By attending, you consent to being photographed unless otherwise requested in writing.
