Moments of Stillness: A Mindful Photography Retreat on the Moray Coast
Last month, I had the privilege of hosting a five-day mindful photography retreat along the breathtaking Moray Coast in northeast Scotland. It was a truly special experience—made even more memorable by the incredible group of people who joined me from across the globe. We had participants travel from the United States, Norway, Germany, and England, all drawn together by a shared love of photography, nature, and the desire to slow down and see more deeply.
Our home for the week was the beautiful Royal Oak Hotel in Cullen, nestled right beside the beach and in the shadow of the iconic Cullen viaduct. With the sea on our doorstep and the Scottish landscape unfolding in every direction, we were immersed in the kind of scenery that invites you to breathe a little deeper and look a little longer.
What made this retreat so magical wasn’t just the scenery, though—it was the atmosphere. We were blessed with sunny skies, glowing sunsets, and a gentle rhythm to each day that encouraged presence, reflection, and connection. Whether we were exploring the coastline, practicing mindful observation, or simply sharing stories over a meal, there was a calm sense of community that made this retreat feel like something truly rare and beautiful.
In this post, I’ll share more about what we did during those five days—our daily rhythms, the locations we visited, and the quiet photographic practices we adopted to help us see beyond the obvious and into the heart of the landscape.
Day One: Arriving, Connecting, and Beginning to See
Our retreat began on a calm Sunday afternoon as everyone arrived at the Royal Oak Hotel, excited and a little curious about what the week would hold. Once gathered, we settled into the cosy Moray Lounge where I gave a short introductory presentation sharing the outline of the retreat—what we’d be doing over the next five days and, more importantly, how we’d be doing it: slowly, mindfully, and with open eyes and hearts.
It was also the perfect moment for the group to meet one another. Each person introduced themselves, sharing where they had come from and what drew them to this experience. Hearing voices from across America, Norway, Germany, and England all in one room, bound by a shared creative longing, was incredibly humbling.
Afterwards, the hotel treated us to a delicious welcome dinner, thoughtfully prepared with a personalised menu that made us all feel seen and cared for. It was a quiet celebration of beginnings, marked by tasty food and new connections.
Later that evening, we stepped out with our cameras for our first coastal walk along Cullen Beach. The air was still, the sky an endless expanse of vibrant blue layered with soft, drifting clouds. It was the kind of evening that invites you to slow your pace and simply take it all in.
When we arrived on the beach, I guided the group through the Five Senses Activation exercise, a mindful practice designed to help us gently tune in—to the scent of salt in the air, the feel of the breeze on our skin, the distant sound of the waves, the shifting light on the sand, and the colours that seemed to glow just a little more intensely when we truly paid attention.
It was the perfect way to begin—a quiet, expansive evening filled with stillness, presence, and the first glimpses of the beauty that would unfold over the days to come.
Day Two: Light, Water, and the Rhythm of the Sea
One of the gifts of this retreat was space—space to begin each day gently, in our own way. On the morning of Day Two, participants were free to do just that: some wandered the quiet Cullen beach in the soft morning light, others journaled or simply enjoyed a quiet lie-in before we gathered for a delicious, cooked breakfast at the hotel. The morning was cloudy yet still, hinting at the calming day ahead.
At 10 a.m., we were met by Adele from A2Z Taxis, our wonderful private taxi driver, who would be with us for the rest of the retreat. She became part of the bones of the week, always arriving with a smile. That morning, she drove us along the coast to explore the traditional fishing villages of Crovie and Pennan.
Both of these tucked-away places hold a deep connection between humanity and the sea. With their tightly-packed cottages nestled against the shoreline, narrow winding roads, and sea-weathered textures, they offered the perfect setting to begin our practice of observing light—how it moves, how it reflects off the water, how it wraps around the homes and cliffs, and how it shifts our perception of colour and form.
From there, we made our way to Cullykhan Bay, where we climbed a gentle hill and sat overlooking the sea for our picnic lunch. With sandwiches in hand and sea breeze on our faces, we paused to take it all in—the ever-moving tide, the shimmering water, the rich blues and greens merging at the horizon. It was a time not just for nourishment, but for stillness and shared reflection.
Mid-afternoon brought us back to the hotel for some rest—time to reflect, edit, journal, or simply breathe.
That evening, after another lovingly prepared dinner, Adele returned to take us to Spey Bay - the largest shingle beach in Scotland and home to the Whale and Dolphin Centre. Here, we were greeted with unexpected pops of purple flowers nestled between the stones and, as the sun dipped toward the horizon, the sky lit up with an unforgettable orange glow.
It was an evening of quiet wonder. As we stood where the River Spey meets the North Sea, the landscape invited deep listening and reflection. The interplay between river, sea, and sky created a moving meditation on change, connection, and letting go.
We returned to the hotel around 10 p.m.—our hearts full, cameras bursting with images, and bodies ready for rest after a day of deep seeing and being.
Day Three: Movement, Mindfulness, and Seals at Findhorn
Day Three unfolded as perhaps the most heartwarming and memorable day of the retreat. We began again with a gentle morning—space to wander, write, reflect, or simply be—before coming together over another delicious breakfast at the Hotel. The sun had already begun to warm the coastline, promising yet another day of light and calm.
At 9:30 a.m., Adele arrived and drove us to a place that holds a special piece of my heart - Findhorn. This stunning stretch of coastline, where river meets sea and sky seems to go on forever, has long been a personal sanctuary, and it was a joy to share it with the group.
Waiting to welcome us on the sand was Mhari Baxter, a wonderful local Qigong and yoga instructor. Mhari led the group in a peaceful 30-minute Qigong session right there on the beach, with the River Findhorn flowing quietly behind us and the sand soft beneath our feet. Watching the group move gently, breathe deeply, and connect with the elements around them was one of the most moving moments of the entire retreat for me. My heart felt full witnessing that connection between people, practice, and place.
Following our Qigong practice, we made our way to the far side of the beach where we shifted our focus to movement—the theme of the day. Inspired by the fluidity of Qigong, we explored how we might photograph motion: the tide coming in, the way light danced on the waves, shifting sands, birds in flight, and the ever-changing sky above. We weren’t just taking pictures—we were responding to what we saw, attuned to the rhythm of the landscape.
Around midday, we gathered in the dunes for our picnic lunch, bathed in sunlight, relaxed and full of shared stories. As we ate, two seals appeared, bobbing playfully in the shallow waters just offshore. It was one of those moments that required no camera, only presence.
Later that afternoon, we returned to the hotel for a couple of hours of rest, allowing the richness of the day to settle in. After another delicious meal prepared by the hotel, we set off once more with Adele—this time to a place that is incredibly dear to me - Burghead.
This quiet seaside village is where my own journey with photography began, and it felt deeply special to bring the group here. Surrounded by gentle evening light, we wandered toward the edge of the headland. And then, quite naturally, something beautiful happened—we all sat together, quietly watching the sunset. Cameras were there, but they weren't the focus. It was about being present.
We were gifted with a fleeting, magical display of dolphins passing on the horizon, the local rowing club gliding through the waters, and a sky painted with glowing hues. Some of the group photographed the moment, others turned to macro photography, observing the intricate beauty of the coastal flowers around us. But for many, it was simply enough to sit and soak it all in.
There was a warmth in the air that went beyond the sunset—a shared stillness, a group of individuals from across the world bound by peace, presence, and gratitude. This day was unforgettable—so, so beautiful and filled with many blessings.
Day Four: Lighthouses, Harbours, and Gannets Nesting
By now, a quiet rhythm had settled over our retreat—a rhythm of slow mornings, nourishing food, shared travel, and open-hearted observation. Day Four began just the same, with early space for solitude, followed by another wonderful breakfast enjoyed together.
Once ready, Adele arrived to take us along the coast once more, this time to Lossiemouth and Hopeman.
Our first stop was Covesea Lighthouse, standing tall and serene against the bright blue sky. We spent around an hour here, gently exploring the rocky shoreline at its base, photographing the textures underfoot and the stunning white tower rising above us. The sun was warm, and the air was still—it felt like stepping into a timeless space where light and form gently invited our attention.
From there, we journeyed to Hopeman, a small seaside village where the world slows down just a little more. We wandered along the water’s edge, peering into the clear green sea where fish and crabs moved in the shallows. Rusted bolts, weathered boats, peeling paint—every surface offered texture, pattern, and story. There was so much beauty in the worn details, the quiet evidence of time and tide.
We paused again for another picnic lunch, this time right on the sun-kissed beach at the harbour, feeling the warmth of the sand and the calm of the coastline. In the afternoon, we moved from the contained, intimate space of the harbour to the vaster expanse of Hopeman’s larger beach, opening ourselves to the contrast between tight focus and open landscapes.
It was fascinating to hear how many in the group found the smaller harbour spaces easier to photograph—more defined and detailed. The wide, empty beach, by contrast, invited a different kind of seeing. It required us to slow down further, to tune into the subtle shifts of light, texture, and mood across a larger canvas. It became a lesson in both contrast and clarity, in knowing where our eyes feel most at home.
After our time in Hopeman, we returned to the hotel for a short rest and then gathered for our final dinner of the retreat. There was a warm energy around the table, the kind that only comes from shared experience.
To close the day, I wanted to offer the group something a little different. So, after dinner, Adele drove us to RSPB Troup Head, a dramatic cliffside reserve known for its seabird colonies and wild, open views. As we walked to the cliff, each step brought us closer to the sounds of the sea and the distant cries of the gannets, many of whom had returned for the breeding season.
Though the gannets offered some great photographic moments, it was the vastness of the views and the unfolding golden sunset that warmed the hearts of most. The sky opened in breathtaking colour, casting a warm glow over land and sea—our final sunset of the retreat, and a moment of still, golden beauty that felt like another blessing.
Julia Zimmerman
Day Five: Mindful Moments and Farewells in Cullen
Day Five marked the final morning we would spend together on the beautiful Moray Coast. Originally, we had planned a walk to Bow Fiddle Rock, but as the morning dawned, we collectively decided to stay in Cullen itself and enjoy some mindful photography at the harbour. It turned out to be such a perfect choice!
Gathered by the water, I guided the group through an exercise focused on truly seeing: each person sought out something that deeply caught their eye, something that invited their attention and curiosity. We examined it slowly and intricately, photographing it not just as a subject but as a story waiting to be told. Afterward, we shared our discoveries with each other, weaving together a collective tapestry of perspectives and reflections.
This morning held an extra special moment—one of the lovely women from Norway was celebrating her birthday! We all gathered on the pier to sing Happy Birthday with joy and warmth, and her wife gifted us with a beautiful song from Norway that we all joined in on. It was a heartfelt, joyful moment of connection that felt deeply fitting for the close of our time together.
Before heading down to the beach to immerse ourselves once more in the very place where the retreat had begun, another member of the group shared a beautiful poem she had written during our time here. We soaked in the view, the sounds, and the stillness, grounding ourselves in the present and the beauty surrounding us.
After this, we enjoyed our final breakfast together at the Royal Oak Hotel. Our hearts were warm and full, filled with gratitude for the shared experiences and the quiet transformations that had unfolded.
We spent a little time reflecting on the retreat—sharing thoughts, stories, and hopes for the future—before embarking on our goodbyes. The farewell was lengthy and heartfelt. Though the retreat had come to an end, the connections, the memories, and the lessons would linger long in all our hearts.
Closing Reflection: Gratitude and Looking Ahead
It’s safe to say that we had a truly wonderful five days together on the Moray Coast. I feel incredibly blessed and deeply grateful to everyone who joined the retreat and shared this special time. The connections made, the moments photographed, and the peacefulness experienced will stay with me—and I’m sure many others —for a long time to come.
If you’d like to experience the beauty of the Moray Coast for yourself, I’m delighted to announce that I’m hosting two coastal photography retreats next year—one in April and another in September. If you’d like to join me and experience this beautiful part of Scotland for yourself, you can find all the details here.
The Moray Coast is a truly special place, and I can’t wait to share it with more kindred spirits soon.
