I was so transfixed by the beauty before me, looking out towards the Sound and the distant cliffs of Mull from the White Strand of the Monks, that I tripped over a rock and went in a bit quicker than I had anticipated! Happy days with inspiring writing, friendship and laughter and delicious food at the Argyll Hotel.

Rydal Hall 2025 was a very special weekend Writing Retreat, with the first day of the course, Friday 20th June, falling on the Eve of the Summer Solstice. I don’t think any of us will ever forget the powerful Meditation which took place on the Eve of the Solstice, in what we have always called the Om chapel, but also has a slightly less romantic name of The Grot! This tiny wooden building sits almost under a huge waterfall and a glimmering pool below it. It was a magical experience in the gloaming, half-light on the Solstice Eve with birds still singing in the undergrowth, presaging the longest day of the year on 21st June.

Photograph taken by Alicia Lester.