An Immersive Food
Retreat
with James Gabriel Martin
11–16 May 2027
A week of food and connection at Galloway House Estate, surrounded by 600 acres of fields, woodland and coastline.
Led by poet and writer Marjorie Lotfi alongside chef and photojournalist James Gabriel Martin.
What to expect
01.
The retreat will run from lunchtime on Tuesday 11 May until midday on Sunday 16 May, giving you five nights to settle into the estate, take part in workshops and shared experiences, and have plenty of time to write, reflect and explore.
02.
Days will be shaped around morning writing workshops, with discussions and prompts informed by the group. Topics may include colour writing, honing your voice, food as a sensory experience, building confidence as a writer and practical advice on getting your work out into the world.
03.
Food will naturally sit at the heart of the week. James will cook seasonal lunches and evening meals inspired by the landscape and produce of south-west Scotland, with shared meals offering a chance to continue conversations and come together around the table.
04.
Alongside writing and food, the programme will draw on nature, heritage, meditation, storytelling and other creative practices, with time between workshops and meals for walking, individual writing or simply enjoying the estate.
05.
We like to keep an element of surprise in the programme, allowing the week to unfold naturally around the group, the landscape and the conversations that emerge.
Accommodation
Guests will stay across a collection of historic cottages at Galloway House Estate, surrounded by the fields, woodland and coastline that will shape much of the week.
Accommodation ranges from the Garden Apartment and Hay Loft in the 18th-century Stables Courtyard, close to where we’ll gather for meals and workshops, to Cruggleton Lodge, High Lodge and Orchard Cottage across the estate. Each has been carefully restored, combining original character with modern comforts, and offers its own experience of the Galloway landscape.
The cost of the retreat is included within your accommodation, with meals, workshops and selected activities included in the price of your room.
Prices
Prices vary by cottage:
