ABIGAIL NELSON
Dramatherapist
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TRANSFORMATION RETREAT
3rd - 6th May 2024
Milngavie, Scotland
Book by 1st March
Ignite.
Immerse.
Transform.
Within the rich landscape of Milngavie, the starting point of the famous West Highland Way, you will have the opportunity to find your own starting point to transformation, by immersing yourself in nature, in your story, in your creativity and in your innate connection to nature. You will be guided through a mix of group and individual creative activities, both indoor and in nature, using practices and principles of Dramatherapy, Ritual Theatre and Environmental Arts Therapy.
Each month, nature has unique and important lessons to teach us. This creative nature retreat will give you the tools to open your mind, body and soul to these lessons. May, the Celtic month of Beltane (or Bealtaine), celebrates and welcomes in the start of summer. It is a time when we stand at the mouth ('béal') of the fire ('tine'), and know there is nothing to be done but step in. Are you ready to step into your inner flame, and be transformed?
To guide you on your journey will be Abigail Nelson, dramatherapist and creative wellness facilitator, and John Harrigan, ritual artist, director and facilitator. Find out more bout your facilitators below.
What to expect
Rich landscapes. Delicious vegan food. Forest bathing. Guided meditations. Movement and stretching. Storytelling. Story-making. Games. Unwinding in the hot tub. Log burning fires. Connecting with like-minded people. That great night sleep you get after spending a day outside. Creative group activities. Individual rituals. Journeys into the unknown. Reflective time. Opportunities to share. Fun and laughter. And as always, the unexpected.
Your guides
Your home from home
Milngavie, Scotland
Glasgow 25 mins | Edinburgh 1 hrs
Glasgow 25 min | Edinburgh 1.5 hrs | Manchester 4.5 hrs | London 6.5 hrs
Sleeping spaces
All the sleeping spaces are shared with between two and four people. If you are coming in a group or know who you would like to share with, please let me know their name(s) in the booking form below.
BOOKING INFORMATION
Are you ready to immerse yourself in nature, ignite your inner flame and allow your story to be transformed? Join us for a journey through rich outer landscapes and powerful inner ones. Come and be renewed, and ready to step into the full life available to you.
Places for this retreat are limited and must be booked by 1st March.
This is a fully catered, residential retreat. The retreat takes place at Pleasant Hill, a privately rented house in Milngavie, on the outskirts of Glasgow, from the evening of Friday 3rd May (dinner included) to the morning of Monday 6th May (Early May bank holiday). The house is easily accessible by car or train, walking distance from Milngavie train station, with connections to Glasgow and Edinburgh (and beyond from there).
The cost of the retreat is £395 incl. VAT. All meals and accommodation are including in this rate. This is broken down into:
£95 non-refundable deposit to secure your booking.
£150 by 1st March 2024.
£150 by 1st April 2024.
Payable by bank transfer to Abigail Nelson (details shared upon booking).
All bookings must be made by 1st March 2024.
If you have any questions, or you would like to book, please use the form below.
You can also check out feedback from previous retreats.
Immerse yourself in nature, ignite your inner flame and allow your story to be transformed. Join us for a journey through rich outer landscapes and powerful inner ones. Come and be renewed, and ready to step into the full life available to you.
Places for this retreat are limited.
This is a fully catered, residential retreat. The retreat takes place at Pleasant Hill, a privately rented house in Milngavie, on the outskirts of Glasgow, from the evening of Friday 3rd May to the morning of Monday 6th May (Early May bank holiday). The house is easily accessible by car or train, walking distance from Milngavie train station, with connections to Glasgow and Edinburgh.
The cost of the retreat is £395 incl. VAT. All meals and accommodation are including in this rate.
If you have any questions, or you would like to book, please use the form below.
Your guides
Abigail Nelson
Following the success of the November 2022 retreat, I'm so excited to offer you another deep dive into nature, creativity and self-love with the Spring retreat 2023.
I'm a qualifed dramatherapist (MA) with experience working with adults with moderate to severe mental health issues, which has included working with a community mental health organisation and in a psychiatric hospital. I also run monthly wellness walks and other creative projects.
Madeline Lennox
I'm thrilled to be part of the upcoming Spring retreat and to be alongside the group as we move into the season of newness and transformation.
A bit about me... I'm a qualified dramatherapist (MA) and Mental Health Practitioner working with the CAMHS crisis team in Bristol and have experience working with children and young people who are adopted or looked after. I'm particularly interested in the practice of Therapeutic Theatre.
Spring 2023 retreat
Lochgoilhead, Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park
"I found the process to be really powerful and moving. It really helped me to cement my sense of self, and inner confidence."
"I thought it was a fantastic mix of creative offerings, reflective time and time to do your own thing. It was such a beautiful location that I appreciated the time to just soak it up and ‘be’ and also participate in the creative exercises."
"I have never experienced outdoor therapeutic work before, and was genuinely blown away by the power of it. I was really grateful and inspired by the powerful nature of working outside and along with others in nature. The experience has definitely inspired me to get outside more and be among nature."
"I left the retreat feeling a real sense of calm and inner peace, something I hadn’t felt properly in a long time, it really helped me to slow down and appreciate what’s around me, rather than being caught up in the bustle of life."
Feedback from previous retreats
November 2022 retreat
Boat of Garten, the Highlands
"Exploring the natural world was a big part of the experience with lots of time being spent being creative outdoors. We explored themes of stillness and the celtic calendar to inspire personal reflection, particularly thinking about our past selves and how we wish to move forward. I felt that there was no huge pressure to share personal reflections with everyone yet the space felt compassionate enough that personal reflections could be shared and discussed in a non-judgmental way"
"The group activities gave me a sense of unity. I think it’s quite easy to feel loneliness in the modern world, but the group activities were a reminder that we are never truly alone"
"I was hoping to find some peace and relaxation but what I found went beyond that, as I was not only able to take a break from things, but I was aided in reflecting on my current circumstances. In a way, the retreat kickstarted some really positive changes for me"
"I really enjoyed meeting everyone and believe that I have made some really genuine connections with new people. I also felt a new sense of self-understanding that was brought about by the reflection time during the retreat. I was surprised at how sociable and fun the experience was"
