Wellness retreats

Friday 6 November

15:00 Arrivals and check-in – Stirling Court Hotel
17:00 Welcome presentation
18:00 Dinner
20:00 Yoga Nidra with Reiki (Wallace Monument Room at Hotel) 

Saturday 7 November

06:30 Sunrise walk to Wallace Monument (individual gym session also an option 06:00 - 10:00)
07:30 Breakfast (available until 10:00)
08:30 Morning yoga
10:30 Wellness walk to Airthrey Castle
11:00 Wellness activity 1
12:15 Wellness activity 2
13:15 Lunch
14:00 Wellness activity 3
15:30 Free time
18:30 Dinner
20:00 Floating sound bath in Olympic swimming pool

Sunday 8 November

07:15 Open water swim (or gym session or free time in our 50m swimming pool 06:00-10:00)
07:30 Breakfast (available until 10:00)
10:30 Wellness walk to Airthrey Castle
11:00 Wellness activity 4
12:00 Break
12:15 Wellness activity 5
13:15 Lunch
14:00 Wellness activity 6
15:00 Break
15:30 Wellness activity 7
16:30 Round up, feedback and depart

Yoga Nidra with Reiki (Wallce Monument Room at Hotel)

Drift into deep relaxation with a guided Yoga Nidra practice. Often called “yogic sleep”, this session takes you into a state of conscious rest, allowing body and mind to release tension, restore energy and settle into stillness. Suitable for all levels and the perfect way to arrive, let go of the journey and ease into your weekend feeling refreshed and calm.  Reiki works with the body’s own energy to ease tension, quiet a busy mind and restore a sense of calm — especially welcome when life has been full. Our practitioners hold a warm, unhurried space with shared intention, encouraging deep rest and inner balance. 

Morning Walk to the Wallace Monument

Begin your day with a refreshing walk up to the historic Wallace Monument, where nature and history come together. As you follow the winding woodland paths, you’ll be surrounded by fresh morning air, birdsong, and the gentle rustle of trees. At the top, the views open up across Stirling, the River Forth, and the rolling hills beyond — a breathtaking reward for your climb. 

This uplifting morning experience is perfect for clearing the mind, energising the body, and soaking in the beauty of Scotland’s landscape, all while standing in the presence of one of its most iconic landmarks.

Morning Yoga 

Ease into Saturday with a gentle morning flow. Slow, mindful movement and steady breathing loosen overnight stiffness, build a little warmth and set a calm, unhurried tone for the day ahead. Suitable for every level, including complete beginners. 

Individual Gym Session 

Make the most of the state-of-the-art gym facilities to provide an opportunity to focus on personal wellbeing, improve physical fitness, and enhance overall resilience. Whether you choose a light workout to boost energy and mood or a more structured exercise session, the facilities enable you to train at your own pace. 

Classical Pilates Foundations 

Build strength from the centre out in this grounding introduction to classical Pilates. Working through the foundational repertoire with clear, precise cueing, you’ll develop core stability, control and better postural awareness. The emphasis is on quality of movement rather than pace, so the class suits complete beginners and anyone wanting to refine their technique. Expect to leave taller, stronger and more connected to how you move. 

Tai Chi — Animal Forms and Props 

Discover the art of Tai Chi through slow, flowing movement that builds balance, flexibility and focus while calming the mind. Suitable for all levels, each session is a peaceful pause in the day where you can connect with your breath, cultivate inner energy and experience the harmony of moving with intention. The session explores playful animal forms and the use of props.

Floating Sound Bath (Swimming Pool) 

Let yourself be held by water and sound in this uniquely restorative experience. Floating and fully supported, you’ll feel the resonant tones of singing bowls and harmonic instruments travel through the water and through you — a sensation far deeper than listening alone. Sound carries away the tension of the day and guides you into profound calm, clarity and release. This is a completely dry experience, with no swimming. 

Open Water Swim

Rejuvenate body and mind with a guided open water swim. Cold water immersion can boost circulation, lift energy, support the immune system and leave you feeling invigorated and alive. The session is led qualified open water coaches, with safety cover in place and support throughout, so you’re looked after from the first breath. Whether you’re a seasoned cold-water swimmer or trying it for the very first time, this is a bracing, exhilarating start to the day. 

Lane Swimming (in our 50m Olympic swimming pool)  

Experience the restorative benefits of lane swimming in the world-class facilities at the University of Stirling. Whether you prefer a gentle swim to relax and recharge or a more energetic session to boost fitness levels, the pool provides the perfect setting to support your personal wellness journey. 

Seasonal Yoga 

A restorative practice tuned to the rhythms of the season. Late winter asks us to conserve and replenish, and this class answers with gentle stretches, grounding poses and mindful breathing designed to nourish the body and warm it from within. You’ll reconnect with your own energy, work with the stillness of the time of year rather than against it, and leave feeling balanced and quietly restored. 

Mindful Movements 

Simple, accessible movement paired with focused attention combining yoga, chi gong and barre. This session invites you to slow right down, notice what your body is holding and gently release it through unhurried, guided sequences. There’s nothing to achieve and nothing to keep up with — just breath, movement and awareness. Ideal if you want to soften tension, steady your mind and reconnect with yourself before the retreat draws to a close.

Reformer Pilates

Work on the reformer in a small-group setting, with the spring-loaded carriage providing both support and resistance. Guided closely through each exercise, you’ll build strength, mobility and alignment in a way that’s challenging but kind to the joints. The equipment adapts to every body, so the class works for first-timers and experienced practitioners alike.

Sound Bath 

Immerse yourself in a deeply relaxing sound bath led by a fully trained sound healer. Let the resonant tones of singing bowls, gongs and other harmonic instruments wash over you, guiding you into a state of calm and inner clarity. Nothing is required of you but to lie down and listen. This restorative experience encourages mindfulness, stress release and emotional renewal, allowing you to unwind completely. 

Yin Yoga 

Long, slow, supported holds that work deep into the connective tissue. With props to help you settle and time to simply be still, Yin invites patience and release rather than effort. Expect to leave spacious, unwound and noticeably slower in the best possible way.