5-day all inclusive mindful photography retreat on Scotland’s relaxing coastline

26th - 30th April 2026

£1485 (£375 deposit)

Space to breathe, connect and create

Join Kim for an all inclusive 5-day spring Coastal Photography Retreat on the beautiful Moray Coast. Born and raised in the area, Kim combines her local expertise with her mindful approach to create a relaxing, calming and immersive experience.

Coastal photographers at Cullen Harbour. Photography tuition in Scotland. Nature Photography lessons

Blurred abstract scene of beach and sky with horizontal streaks of light colors

Be inspired by the sights and sounds of the sea

Retreat Details

Dates: 26th - 30th April 2026

Investment: £1485 (Deposit £375)

Duration: 5 days/4 nights

Small group size

Fitness level: Easy - Moderate

This retreat incorporates a mix of guided photography exercises and space to explore your photographic interests, offering a balance between solo time and group connection. Kim has carefully chosen locations to allow the opportunity to explore the coastal gems that North East Scotland has to offer, including long sandy beaches, rocky coves, traditional seaside villages and picturesque harbours.

As well as photographing the coastal beauty, mindfulness practices, journaling and rest will be weaved into the retreat to deepen creativity and self exploration.

When we are not on location, you can enjoy your own private en-suite room at the Royal Oak Hotel in Cullen. This traditional family-run hotel offers comfort and privacy. Delicious cooked meals will be prepared by the hotel each day to keep you fuelled and hydrated throughout your stay. The hotel is positioned right beside Cullen Beach, allowing the freedom to breathe and enjoy the sea air whenever you need to.

Book Your Place

Retreat Includes

4 nights bed and breakfast at the Royal Oak Hotel in Cullen

Lunch, Dinner and Refreshments

On location mindful photography sessions

Welcome presentation

Private group taxi between locations

Experienced local photography guide

Retreat resources including notebook and pen

Welcome goody bag

Post-retreat group image sharing Zoom session

New friends, connections and memories

Not Included

Travel to and from retreat

Any food or drink out with meal times

Alcoholic Drinks

Insurance - including travel, camera and health insurance

“I’m so grateful for the truly wonderful days in Scotland. The retreat was a beautiful blend of stunning nature, mindful presence, and warm community. Kim is a gifted teacher in mindful photography – I loved the way she guided us with grounding mindfulness exercises and creative photography prompts. We explored textures, patterns, and movement through our lenses, and I completely fell in love with the landscape.

What made the retreat even more special was the care and thoughtfulness in every detail: the welcoming hotel, delicious food, the surprise gift on arrival, and even the kind and helpful taxi driver. It was all so well planned and perfectly executed. Thank you, Kim – I appreciate it deeply.”

— Eli Brager, April 2025 Retreat Guest

Person sitting on a dock with a camera, fishing nets, and crates nearby, by the sea with a lighthouse in the background. Cullen Harbour, Moray, Scotland

Deepen your Observational Skills

Guided Photography Sessions

Birds flying in a sunset sky with dark clouds and bright yellow-orange sunlight.

Sky and Light Workshop - Monday 27th April

Feel a sense of guidance and inspiration as you witness and create with the vast coastal skies
Mindfully observe the light and how it interacts with the coast
Explore the relationship between the sky and sea
Observe the clouds as they move and change
Witness how the light and sky shift throughout the day, bringing new ideas and photographic opportunities your way

Waves crashing on the shoreline with a single bird flying above, distant forested land in the background.

Sea and Movement Workshop - Tuesday 28th April

Tune into the sense of flow and rhythm by curiously observing how the sea and birds move along the coast
Experience how your body moves and feels in nature
Explore movement in the landscape, whether freezing motion in images or experimenting with creative photography techniques such as Intentional Camera Movement (ICM).
Breath and move in unison with the waves

Close-up of barnacle-covered rocks or marine surface with many barnacles and embedded small shells.

Rocks, Sand and Textures - Wednesday 29th April

Feel grounded and held by the timeless rocky shores
Witness and create with the patterns and textures of the coast
Use the sense of touch to connect with your subjects
Observe the creatures that call the rocky shores home
Photograph coastal features up close (macro photography)
Witness how the shifting tides erode and shift the landscape

Self-Guided Photography Sessions

Large rock formation on a sandy beach with smaller rocks and tide pools, ocean waves in the background, and a partly cloudy sky. Cullen Beach. Scotland. Moray Coastal trail

Morning Meditation Beach Walks (Optional)

Each morning before breakfast, you are invited for a walk along the beach to immerse yourself in the sights and sounds of the new day. This is a great opportunity to allow stillness and reflection before the day begins. You may wish to find a quiet spot to sit and observe the sea or close your eyes and tune into the coastal sounds. This time is also a good opportunity to journal. You may wish to write down your intentions for the day ahead or note down your thoughts and ideas on paper. While this time is not centred around photography, you are welcome to take your camera with you and create images.

Sunset over the ocean with a sandy beach and tidal pools in the foreground

On Location Evening Sessions

Each evening, we will head out for sunset. During this time, you can explore what you’d personally like to photograph. You may wish to weave what you learnt during the guided sessions into your practice or use the time for your own exploration and reflection. Kim will be on hand to answer any questions you may have and offer guidance if needed.

Ocean waves crashing on the shore with distant mountains and cloudy sky in the background.

Breathing Space

Accommodation and Meals - Royal Oak Hotel Cullen

The Royal Oak is a traditional family-run hotel located only a stone’s throw from the beautiful sandy beaches of Cullen Bay. It is nestled in between the famous viaduct and the historic fishing village of Seatown. The retreat includes 4 nights bed and breakfast and a tasty dining experience in the hotel restaurant. Everyone will enjoy their own private en-suite room, with a warm drink, shortbread and goodie bag to greet them on arrival.

The hotel comes with free parking and WiFi.

Weather permitting lunch will be enjoyed on location each day. The hotel will provide us with a healthy packed lunch to take out with us so we can enjoy eating while immersed in the coastal scenery.

A bowl of creamy clam chowder garnished with parsley, placed on a white napkin with a slice of bread nearby. Cullen Skink

A neatly made bed with folded white towels on top in a cozy bedroom. The bed has white sheets, plaid and paisley pillows, and a plaid bed runner. There are two white nightstands with red lamps on each side, and pictures of animals on the wall above the bed. A window with light curtains lets in natural light.

A dining room with multiple wooden tables and chairs with red cushions, green striped walls, framed artwork, and ceiling lights.

“My heart is full after spending 5 days with other photographers in a beautiful part of Scotland. It was a time of learning and adventures exploring harbours, beaches, villages, cliffs and more. I enjoyed the new locations we visited each day and the time Kim spent introducing us to each place and sharing her knowledge about the history and the many subjects we could find to photograph. Each evening, we travelled to another new coastal setting to watch the sunset, a wonderful time spent together and a very peaceful ending to each day. The Royal Oak Hotel was perfect. The rooms were lovely, and the meals provided delicious food and thoughtful conversation.
There was so much amazing diversity in the photographic opportunities, and the retreat was so much more than I hoped for. Together as a group we were truly immersed in the beauty of the Moray and Aberdeenshire coasts. We were blessed as each location welcomed us with gifts of waving grasses, twinkling water, amazing light and its own unique sights and sounds. The retreat was a special time in a special place and I'm very grateful for the memories and the photos I have to enjoy for a long time to come.”
Deanna, USA - April 2025 Retreat Guest

Two women with backpacks walking along a sandy beach, looking at the water and rocks in the ocean on a partly cloudy day. Hopeman beach photographers on a sunny day

Itinerary

A sandy beach with a shallow pool of water and a single rock in the middle, under a cloudy sky.

Sunday 26th April

3pm - Hotel check-in and settle

4pm - Welcome presentation and sharing

6pm - Welcome dinner

7.30pm - Evening beach walk and grounding

Sunset over the ocean with a few rocks in the water and birds flying in the sky.

Monday 27th April

7am - Morning meditative beach walk (optional)

8am - Breakfast

10 am - On location sky and light workshop

2/3pm - Afternoon break

5.30pm- Dinner

7pm - Evening on location

Abstract blue and gray blurred shapes and lines, resembling a modern art piece.

Tuesday 28th April

7am - Morning meditative beach walk (optional)

8am - Breakfast

10 am - On location sea and movement workshop

2/3pm - Afternoon break

5.30pm - Dinner

7pm - Evening on location

Three smooth gray rocks on a sandy, layered rock surface.

Wednesday 29th April

7am - Morning meditative beach walk (optional)

8am - Breakfast

10am - On location rocks and patterns workshop

2/3pm - Afternoon break/image editing

5.30pm - Dinner

7pm - Evening on location

Close-up of a blue boat hull with a white stripe, reflected in the water, and two blue ropes tied to the boat.

Thursday 30th April

7am - Morning photography walk

9am - Breakfast

10 am to Midday - Round up and farewells

Pebble-covered beach with broken wooden posts and a post with railroad crossing arms near the shoreline, ocean waves and cloudy sky in the background. Findhorn groins

Post Retreat Image Sharing

2 weeks after the retreat, we will arrange a date and time to meet online via Zoom as a group to catch up and share our images.

Please note - As this is a retreat, to ensure adequate sleep, we will aim to be back at the hotel by 10pm each evening. While this may mean we miss some of the sunset, we will still have the opportunity to photograph most of the golden hour.

Sunset over the ocean with waves crashing and a distant shoreline

What to take with you

Camera or smartphone (all cameras welcome)

Any accessories you wish to use, including tripod and filters

Batteries, chargers and memory devices to store images

Laptop or tablet to edit images (if you wish to)

Warm and waterproof outdoor clothing to suit the changeable Scottish weather

Sturdy footwear to accommodate outdoor weather (walking boots recommended)

Sturdy backpack to carry equipment, extra clothes, and lunch

Flask and water bottle

A curious mind and willingness to learn

Man walking through tall yellow grass with backpack, wearing a white shirt, black cap, and black pants, under a cloudy sky.

Possible Locations

As a local, Kim knows all the best spots and will carefully choose the locations each day to reflect the weather and opportunities available. Throughout the retreat, you will explore a diverse range of coastal gems, including beaches, coves, estuaries, harbours, and picturesque seaside villages. Each location will offer its unique charm and photographic opportunities. Whether you want to photograph vast seascapes, coastal wildlife, patterns in the sand or get creative with long exposures or ICM, there will be plenty of opportunities to do so. While Kim cannot guarantee what locations we will visit, some possible locations can be seen listed below.