Humankind Songwriting Retreat
Katie Spencer & Iona Lane
30th Sep 2024 - 4th Oct 2024
Join individually celebrated songwriters and established touring musicians, Iona Lane and Katie Spencer, for a relaxed and inspired songwriting retreat in the breathtaking landscape of Ardnamurchan in the Scottish Highlands. Spend four nights in the stunning Victorian mansion of Kinlochmoidart House, developing and exploring your songwriting and musicality. Aligned by a shared approach to songwriting that nurtures and celebrates individual connections to the people and the landscapes of Northern England and Scotland, two of the leading lights of the UK folk scene come together for their inaugural songwriting retreat.
During the course of your stay, Iona and Katie will guide you through a variety of workshops and creative sessions to hone your writing skills and enable you to take risks with your songwriting. There will also be walks through the surrounding natural beauty of Ardnamurchan with plenty of opportunity for exploring and making new connections with your fellow songwriters. Katie and Iona are looking forward to bringing together a small group of like-minded people who are seeking to be immersed in nature, amongst new friends and with wonderful home cooked food.
Iona and Katie are welcoming songwriters and musicians of all levels, whether you’re writing your first song or you’re a seasoned professional, everyone will be welcomed.
Raised in the East Yorkshire flatlands on the fringes of Hull, Katie Spencer’s landscape has always been that of open skies and widening rivers. The songwriting, and most notably her guitar playing stems from a time when the steel-stringed instrument was truly finding its voice.
Driven by awe and wonder of the natural world Iona Lane delivers poetic songs, with subtle musical touches and contemplative melodies that link untold stories with the world we find ourselves in today.
ACCOMMODATION
Built in 1884 and nestled between loch and hill, Kinlochmoidart House is a Scots Baronial Mansion and one of the few remaining original works of the renowned architect, William Lieper. Four generations later, the Stewart family have converted the house whilst taking great care to restore the original Victorian interiors to their former splendour.
A variety of rooms are available including a shared twin, private single, private double or your own private apartment.
CATERING
All of your meals will be curated by the incredible Marie Lewis who will be providing delicious homemade vegetarian and vegan cooking for everyone on the retreat. Meal times will be spent together; we’re looking forward to sharing stories over some tasty food! Please let us know of any dietary requirements upon booking. Please note you will need to bring your own alcohol.
PRICING
The prices below are per person and include all accommodation, catering, workshops and performances between 5pm 30th September 2024 to 10am 4th October 2024.
Shared twin room: £595 for shared occupancy
Private double room: £695 for single occupancy (£595 each for shared occupancy) SOLD OUT
Private single room: £645 SOLD OUT
Private apartment: £945 for single occupancy (£795 each for shared occupancy)
Local to Lochaber: £395 (for people wishing to take part in the songwriting retreat but commute from their home. This fee includes all workshops and catering for lunches/dinners)
TRANSPORT
You will need to organise your transport to Kinlochmoidart House, Kinlochmoidart, Acharacle PH38 4ND. The nearest train station is Lochailort and there is the potential for someone to collect you from the train station if you are travelling by public transport.
BOOKING & ENQUIRIES
To book please email ionalanemusic@gmail.com with the subject ‘Humankind Songwriting Retreat’ with any questions or requests to book.
Upon booking we look for a deposit of £200 per person to secure your spot on the retreat. Your place will be confirmed once a deposit has been received. Full payment for the retreat will need to be paid by 15th August 2024. Finance options are available for those who wish to pay in chunks.
ACCESSIBILITY
Due to the nature of the property there is no step free access to Kinlochmoidart House. There are ground floor bedrooms (1 single, 1 double, 1 twin) and a ground floor bathroom (which has a shower over a bath).
CANCELLATION POLICY
The deposit received upon booking is non-refundable. If you cancel before 12 weeks of the residency you will receive a full refund apart from the deposit. If you cancel within 4 weeks of the retreat ½ the fee of your place will need to be paid. If you cancel within 1 week of the retreat you will need to pay the whole fee for your place.
🌟 YOUNG SONGWRITERS BURSARY 🌟
We are offering a FREE bursary place for our Humankind Songwriting Retreat in Ardnamurchan which is taking place between 30th Sep - 4th Oct.
All catering and accommodation included.
Requirements for the bursary:
- You must be the age of 25 or under to apply.
- You need to have an interest in songwriting. Any level of experience is fine, whether you're writing your first songs or your tenth album we want to hear from you!
- You must be able to sort your own transport to the retreat, there are trains to Lochailort. We can organise collection from the train station.
- The accommodation for this bursary is in a shared twin room with a fellow attendee of the retreat. Please let us know if this is okay for you.
To apply please fill out this google form: https://forms.gle/UMxgtgT3cs9bJvEm9
or email ionalanemusic@gmail.com for application info/alternative formats. Application via audio accepted.
The deadline for the bursary will be 1st May and we hope to get back to everyone by 14th May.