Setting the bar for luxury staycations in the UK, Rachel’s Farm have launched an incredible selection of retreats uniquely catering to different interests and abilities. Offering the privacy of personal catering with the luxury of higher-end retreats and spas, the retreats occupy the unique space of renovating charming residential farms into a five-star hotel experience. With record numbers of Brits choosing to staycation in 2022, Rachel’s Farm is set to refresh high-end holidays, highlighting the renewed interest in domestic tourism post-Brexit.
Situated near the peaceful Scottish village of Buchlyvie, Stirlingshire, with the stunning views of the Trossachs hills, the retreats, which include The Philip Braham Painting Experience, are designed to support people taking a pause from their busy and pressured life to enjoy a refreshing and luxurious break. Supported by the local council, Rachel’s Farm is grounded in the local community, giving those from the surrounding area and further afield the opportunity to take part in as much or as little as they want in their getaway of relaxed luxury.
The diverse and bespoke selection of retreats are aimed at bringing people together, reducing stress whilst promoting physical and personal development and wellbeing. With in-house chefs, in-room massages, hot tubs with views of the amazing Scottish countryside and classes led by expert instructors, this is the home away from home that will hit the reset button. Luxury and relaxation are at the heart of the Rachel’s Farm experience; the rural charm of the Farm is matched by incredible interior design offering a space that lifts you out of the day-to-day. The wellness benefits of these retreats would often be considered the results of an overseas trip; now the pluses have been brought to a beautiful part of the UK with inspiring views, local charm and guaranteed luxury and pampering.
From 9 – 13th February 2023, run with partners and renowned Edinburgh-based yoga and fitness company Tribe Yoga, this retreat will offer a variety of yoga and movement classes taught by some of the most experienced instructors in the industry. Accompanied by nutritious food cooked by Rachel’s Farm’s fabulous resident chef, experiences on offer include massages, mindfulness sessions and therapeutic hot tub wind down sessions. By taking time out of life to immerse yourself in this yoga retreat, you can truly connect with the fulfilment and wellbeing that daily, instructor led, tuition brings.
30th March – 3rd April 2023 will see a unique and exciting luxury painting retreat led by Philip Braham RSA, artist, programme director of Art & Philosophy at The University of Dundee (DJCAD – Duncan of Jordanston College of Art and Design) and member of the Royal Scottish Academy. The retreat offers refined, one-to-one tuition in painting techniques and methods with a focus on nature and landscape painting, as well as talks on the history and philosophy of art. It includes nature studies in scenic Loch Lomond and Trossachs, group walks with landscape photography opportunities, demonstrations, life drawing, and wellness and creative sessions to inspire, disconnect and feel uplifted and refreshed. There will also be an afternoon at Harmony Fields Animal Sanctuary for an animal study.
The retreat is for anyone, from complete beginners to advanced painters, looking to take time out of life to explore a passion that can bring a simple sense of fulfilment and joy as well as enhancing painting techniques. Philip is an incredible teacher who rarely offers such tuition: painting, at its heart, is all about perspectives – standing back and appreciating the beauty, simplicities and experiences of the world around you. The retreat serves to ensure that all guests have a unique and memorable time for reflection and creativity under Philip’s guidance.
Philip’s career includes 26 solo exhibitions and numerous curated group exhibitions, and his artworks are held in public, corporate and private collections worldwide. Among the awards received are the RSA Guthrie Award for painting, and RSA Morton Award for lens-based work. Recent exhibitions include solo shows at Perth Museum and Art Gallery, The Scottish Gallery, Edinburgh, and Roger Billcliffe Gallery, Glasgow.
The Iain Reitze Retreat (15th – 20th June 2023) is a fitness retreat like no other. Run by the highly acclaimed Iain Reitze, guests will be guided through a programme of increased movement, managed cardio, nutrition, and guided meditation. Iain’s mantra is Challenge by Choice, where he empowers you with exercises and techniques to take personal responsibility for your achievements on the retreat and beyond. The retreat focuses on 4 components to optimise your health, happiness and confidence: Mind, Body, Nutrition and Rest. Relaxation during the retreat is just as important; so let yourself enjoy a therapeutic massage at the end of each full day, bubbly hot tubs and just generally unwinding in the tranquil countryside setting.
Iain not only brings a depth of knowledge and experience of working in this industry for 13 years, but also brings 27 years of being a Physical Trainer and Injury Rehabilitator in The British Armed Forces.
Alongside these retreats, Rachel’s Farm specialise in providing accessible, hassle free luxury to families and groups. You can increase the amount of beds available for your booking by adding extra properties. This allows you to enjoy all the perks and relaxation the Farm has to offer if you are a family of 4 or a group of 38.
Rachel’s Farm are an eco-conscious organisation, focussed on changing the profile of farming in the UK. The Reforestation Programme is aiming to repurpose the fields with new forestry to provide carbon offsetting for Rachel’s Farm own activities and for other businesses looking to offset their emissions. Alongside the net zero retreat, 50 acres of non-arable land will be replanted with trees and divided into small holdings which companies can purchase as a means of offsetting carbon emissions. Wildflower meadows and ponds are also being created to attract bees, insects and other indigenous forms of wildlife. Using native trees from the localities of the retreats Rachel’s Farm can permanently reforest tracts of land for future generations, restoring the historic forests of the area and locking them to this purpose in perpetuity.
