Highland Retreats – A Scottish Highland retreat destination at Spean Lodge Skip to main content

Discover Creativity & Adventure

in The Highlands of Scotland

Your Perfect Escape is in
the Heart of the Highlands

Our retreats are designed to ignite your passions and renew your spirit.

At Spean Lodge

Nestled in the heart of the Scottish Highlands, Spean Lodge is a haven of tranquility and natural beauty, offering an inspiring backdrop for your next retreat. This historic lodge, surrounded by lush gardens and ancient trees, is steeped in charm and warmth. Inside, cozy open fires and elegantly furnished rooms create a welcoming atmosphere that invites relaxation and creativity.

Your Perfect Escape in
the Heart of the Highlands

Our retreats are designed to ignite your passions and renew your spirit.

At Spean Lodge

Nestled in the heart of the Scottish Highlands, Spean Lodge is a haven of tranquility and natural beauty, offering an inspiring backdrop for your next retreat. This historic lodge, surrounded by lush gardens and ancient trees, is steeped in charm and warmth. Inside, cozy open fires and elegantly furnished rooms create a welcoming atmosphere that invites relaxation and creativity.

Photography Retreats

Sharpen your skills and capture the untamed beauty of the Highlands, where every sunrise, mountain, and glen tells a story waiting for your lens.

  • Stay with us at the tranquil Spean Lodge
  • Visit stunning highland landscapes
  • Share experiences with other photographers
  • Learn from in-house professionals
  • Take home a print of your best work
UPCOMING APRIL 2025

Wellness Retreats

Join us for our upcoming wellness retreats in the winter of 2025. If you are interested in forest yoga, meditation, loch and river swimming, soothing sauna sessions, all set against the serene beauty of the Highlands then register your interest and we will get back to you with options.

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At Spean Lodge

Spean Lodge, a historic and beautifully restored Highland lodge, provides a serene setting for meaningful experiences—whether you’re looking to focus on wellness, explore your creativity, or simply take time to recharge.

  • Peaceful Setting: Located amidst pristine Highland scenery, Spean Lodge offers an idyllic environment for mindfulness and relaxation.
  • Luxurious Comfort: Elegant rooms, cozy open fires, and attentive service provide the perfect backdrop for a restorative stay.
  • Holistic Activities: Opportunities for guided walks, yoga sessions, cold water swimming, and immersive nature experiences to encourage mental and physical well-being.
  • Nutritious Dining: Enjoy fully catered, wholesome meals made with local ingredients to nourish and energize.
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What to Expect

On a Spean Lodge retreat, we take care of every detail, so you can focus on what matters most. From your pickup at the train station or airport to daily excursions, delicious meals, and attentive service and support throughout your stay.

Our Highland retreats offer more than just a chance to get away—they’re an opportunity to create meaningful memories, connect with like-minded people, and rediscover what inspires you. Take some time to escape to the Highlands.

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Your Host

Paul Hackett, originally from Scotland, is the owner of Spean Lodge. As a photojournalist, he worked for Reuters and The Sunday Times, covering high-profile news events globally.

After years in London, he returned to the Highlands to create a space where guests can connect with the landscape, explore their creativity, and unwind in a welcoming environment.

“

A week away with award winning photographer Paul Hackett on one of his highly sought after photo retreats was a sheer delight. Lochs, shipwrecks, steam trains, pipers and the magnificent wildlife Scotland has to offer all under the shadow of Ben Nevis in some of the most beautiful terrain on the planet. Then home each night to the welcoming elegance of Spean Lodge for a majestic supper and conversation around the open fire. I’ll be back in a heartbeat.

Kieran DohertyPhotographer
“

I had the pleasure of staying and learning with Paul at Spean Lodge this autumn. His photography retreat in the heart of the Scottish highlands is stunning. He runs a luxurious but homely and relaxing highland lodge where you’re able to chill and learn from one of the best photographer tutors in the business. During my stay Paul took us to various locations nearby to put our photography skills to the test. Although I’ve lived in Scotland for 40 years some of the locations were new to me. Steall Falls, Glencoe, Glen Etive and Glenfinnan Viaduct, the famous Harry Potter train bridge were all visited within the space of a couple of days. Paul, being a former press photographer based in London means he has an eye for a picture second to none. I really wanted to have a nice relaxing break but to be able to learn new photography techniques and skills and also meet new people with similar interests at the same time.

I found Paul and his lodge to be just the right place to do this. The other guests were very interesting and we all gelled over fabulous breakfasts and dinners at the lodge. I especially enjoyed each evening’s debrief in the Green Room with its log burning fire over a gin and tonic. I realised that I wasn’t alone in wanting to further my photography learning and to be able to do it in a wonderful highland location made it all the better. I can thoroughly recommend Pauls photography retreat coupled with his upmarket but relaxing accommodation at Spean Lodge for your next adventure holiday.

Mike WilkinsonPhotographer.
“

It is hard to say what makes Paul’s retreats so magical but maybe that is just part of his skill. This was just an incredible experience. Spean Lodge is so beautiful, warm and comfortable that I almost didn’t want to leave each morning as we set out on our photography adventures. But every day was exciting and different, guided by Paul’s quiet wisdom and kindness. He knows what will make not just good photographs but great experiences. I saw landscapes that I’d only ever imagined or seen in films or on shortbread tins, accompanied by tales from his amazing career, tips and ideas.

Each evening sitting by the fire with Annie the dog, making friends for life we shared our photographs, heard stories of Scottish myths and legends with incredible food made by the wonderful Jacqui and Joe which I will be trying to recreate forever - let no one tell you a Brussel sprout salad could not be the best thing you’ll ever eat.

I arrived thinking I might be able to enhance my portfolio in a lovely setting but I left inspired, wiser, healthier and lighter in my soul. I really couldn’t recommend this highly enough.

Mary TurnerPhotographer