Better Read Tours | Creative Writing in Scotland

CREATIVE WRITING IN SCOTLAND
- WITH -
KATE FORSYTH

5 - 13 October 2025

Edinburgh, Perthshire
Scotland

Rest. Restore. Renew. Write.
Join award-winning author and poet Kate Forsyth on a 9-day writing and wellness retreat in the heart of Scotland.

"I have Scottish heritage on both sides of my family, and so have always been entranced by this misty land of castles, lochs and mountains. As a little girl I devoured stories inspired by Scotland’s enthralling history and wondrous folktales, and my first published books, The Witches of Eileanan, were inspired by that lifelong fascination. Scotland was one of the first places in the world that I travelled to as a young woman as I sought to connect with my ancestors’ stories. In the years since, the land of the brave has never relinquished its hold on my imagination, perhaps because I have retold so many of its folktales both as an author and an oral storyteller.

I've long been dreaming about a retreat designed to help creative souls rest and recharge their batteries, recover from burnout or exhaustion, and restore their sense of joy in writing. I wanted it to be somewhere beautiful, where we could easily immerse ourselves in nature, and somewhere with a rich and captivating culture to inspire our imaginations. I wanted a setting that would give us time to read and write and wander in the woods, while still giving us a base to explore further and discover new experiences. I wanted to create an enriching experience for anyone who came: a time of connection, inspiration, joy and renewal with the potential to be truly life changing.

I knew Scotland was the perfect place to hold such a retreat - its wild landscape and spellbinding stories was just what I was dreaming about. But I needed to find the perfect place for us to stay, so I set off to explore the heart of Scotland, the beautiful county of Perth and Kinross, said to have its feet in the Lowlands and its head in the Highlands. And there I discovered the Crieff Hydro Hotel, built in Scots Baronial style in 1868 by an Edinburgh doctor who believed passionately in the remedial powers of nature. The hotel lies at the centre of a 900-acre estate of gardens and woodlands, has an indoor heated swimming pool with original Victorian fresco ceiling, sauna, steam room and spa, and a fabulous glasshouse bar with stunning views over the Strathearn Valley. Best of all, it is within easy reach of some of my favourite places in Scotland. I cannot wait to share it with you!"

Kate Forsyth

About Creative Writing in Scotland

Join award-winning and internationally bestselling author Kate Forsyth for nine days in Scotland, the land of lochs and legends, at a writing retreat designed to regenerate your creativity and immerse yourself in the story you wish to tell.

This retreat is designed for any writer who is hungering for time, space, and new creative energy, or for anyone who feels that they have lost their way with their writing and want to find their way back to it. Mornings will be spent talking about the art and craft of writing, discussing and solving problems in your writing practise or work-in-progress, and challenging yourself to think more deeply and fully about the story you are writing. A series of carefully curated writing prompts will challenge and extend you, and help you enter creative flow. In the afternoons we’ll explore glorious natural landscapes in the heart of Scotland, which are especially breathtaking in the autumn, with plenty of time to relax, find inspiration and write.

Invest in your writing dreams and learn from one of Australia’s most acclaimed creative writers in one of the world’s most historic – and magical – literary settings.

Tour Itinerary and Highlights

Discover Edinburgh, ‘yon Empress of the North’ in Robert Burns’ words, where we’ll learn about the witchy history of the Old Town and explore its underground vaults and secret wynds. Next, we’ll head to Perthshire to immerse ourselves in an autumnal landscape of gold, amber, and crimson hues. Nestled between the majestic Highlands and the rolling hills of the Lowlands, Perthshire offers a picturesque backdrop of ancient woodlands, fabled lochs, and grand historical estates. This is a land where nature and storytelling intertwine, leaving you enchanted and inspired to write.

Across several afternoon tours, you will discover the birthplace of Mary Queen of Scots; wander through stunning landscapes that inspired literary giants such as Nan Shepherd, Sir Walter Scott and Robert Burns; learn about Scottish folklore from a kilted guide; and encounter the mythologised charm of the loch. We’ll taste the best produce from the region – and of course, try a dram of whisky or two!

On your free afternoons and evenings you’ll have plenty of time to explore, relax, write and discuss ideas with your fellow retreat participants. The Hydro Hotel is built high on the Knock, the hill that stands guard over the town of Crieff. From the hotel you can walk into the woods and discover the ancient Cradle Stone, a gigantic rock said to have been split in half by druidical magic, or walk to the summit and see views that stretch from the Sidlaw Hills in the east to Ben Ledi and Ben Voirlich in the west. It is a short walk down into the town itself, with its cosy pubs, cute shops, and quaint little local museum. Or you can stay at the hotel, swim in the pool, have a massage, or read in the Winter Garden with a hot chocolate.

The Writing Course

Every morning, join Kate and your other retreat participants from 9.30-11.30am for an intensive discussion of one crucial aspect of creative writing, accompanied by a series of challenges designed to get your mind racing and the ink flowing. The idea is to help you regain a sense of adventure and excitement in your writing, learn how to navigate some of the most difficult straits in long-form creative writing, and to discover your own strengths and weaknesses. In each class, we will also look at examples of writing from the authors on our reading list for inspiration and insight into their creative choices.

Topics to be explored include:

Generating new ideas and creative energy
Sharpening your observational skills
Epiphany and transformation
Running wild and reconnecting to nature
How to write a perfect sentence
How to murder your darlings
The hidden art of telling a story

This is a time to be open, to actively listen and learn, and to share in a calm, nurturing and supportive environment, while receiving the insights and guidance of an author who has made her living from writing for almost thirty years.

This course has been developed to be complementary to Kate’s other creative writing retreats and workshops, so both former and new participants will benefit equally from its content.

The Crieff Hydro Hotel and Perthshire

The Crieff Hydro Hotel was founded in 1868 by Dr Thomas Henry Meikle, who had received treatment at a health spa in Austria established by Vincenz Priessnitz, widely regarded as the founder of ‘The Nature Cure’. Preissnitz believed that invigorating mountain air, plunges into the cold fresh water of rivers and lochs, simple country food and vigorous outdoor exercise would help ailments of both the body and the spirit. Modern medicine has proved him right.

The Hydro, as it is called by locals, is now managed Dr Meikle’s great-great-great-grand nephew, and still offers an environment where health, vigour and wellbeing are paramount. Luckily a few of the good doctor’s principles have been gently let go - you will no longer be fined a penny if you missed grace before meals, and the stern rules against imbibing alcohol no longer apply, with several bars on site, and a tasting room where you can sample the best Scottish gin and whisky.

Crieff, our main base, offers a delightful blend of old-world charm, natural beauty and modern amenities. Once a thriving market town, Crieff gained prominence in the 18th century as a centre for cattle-droving, and remnants of this heritage can be seen in its unique architecture and urban design. Although we have already curated for you some of the best experiences the region has to offer, from our hotel you can explore the stunning landscapes of nearby Drummond Castle Gardens, take a stroll along the picturesque River Earn, or for the more adventurous, head out into nature on a self-guided hike. We’re also a short walk into the town centre where you’ll find charming shops full of local arts and crafts, cafés, bars and other amenities at your fingertips.

Perthshire, often referred to as the “Heart of Scotland” is known for its stunning landscapes and vibrant cultural history. From its rich agricultural straths to enchanting woodland forests and the majestic southern Highlands, the diversity of Perthshire’s landscape will take your breath away.

Whether you’re exploring the region’s ancient ruins, foraging for wild produce on a nature trail, sampling local cuisine, or immersing yourself in the region's unique folklore, Perthshire is the ideal destination for anyone seeking an authentic Scottish experience.

KATE FORSYTH

Dr Kate Forsyth wrote her first novel at the age of seven and has now sold more than a million copies internationally. Named 'one of Australia’s finest writers of this generation';, Kate has written more than 50 books, for all age groups and across many genres, and published in almost 20 countries.

Kate's most recent novel, Psykhe, is a retelling of an ancient myth as a life-affirming celebration of feminine desire, strength and disobedience. Other novels for adults include The Crimson Thread, set in Crete during the Nazi invasion; Bitter Greens, which won the 2015 American Library Award for Best Historical Fiction; and The Wild Girl which was named the Most Memorable Love Story of 2013.

Kate has a BA in literature, a MA in creative writing, and a Doctorate of Creative Arts in fairy tale studies. She is also an accredited master storyteller with the Australian Guild of Storytellers. Kate has taught writing retreats in Australia, Fiji, Greece, and the Cotswolds.

"My imagination felt as if it had been magically awoken, like a snow globe shaken to life. Kate’s retreat showed me how meaningful it is to invest in your daydreams. … it revived a sense of wonder that I had feared was long gone".

Holly Ringland, internationally bestselling author of

The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart and The Seven Skins of Esther Wilding

PRICE

Price is $10,450 for single accommodation, and $8,890 for twin share.

To secure your booking, a deposit of 30% is required within 7 days of receiving your booking form. All prices in $AUD. Get in touch with us at tours@betterread.com.au for payment terms and installment dates.

PACKAGE DETAILS

What is included in the cost?