Scotland Writing Retreats in Winter: Why the Off-Season is the Best Time to Write

When I dreamed up the idea of turning our Highland holiday cottage into a creative retreat space, I knew I wanted to host writers during the quietest months of the year. That’s why our Scotland writing retreats run from October through February—months when the Highlands are at their most peaceful, atmospheric, and downright magical.

Winter in Assynt is unlike anywhere else I’ve ever been. The days are short, the nights are long, and the landscape shifts constantly—mist rolling off the lochs in the morning, frost crunching underfoot on afternoon walks, the Milky Way showing off above you at night. It’s as if the world slows down just enough for you to finally catch up with yourself—and your writing. And really, isn’t that what we all need?

The Gift of Silence

Writers are always chasing time, but let’s be honest: time isn’t the whole problem. It’s the noise. Emails pinging, family commitments, the ever-tempting rabbit hole of Instagram reels (yes, I’m guilty too). Winter in the Highlands offers a silence that feels almost otherworldly. The only sounds are the wind, the waves, and maybe the crackle of a fire or the whistle of a kettle.

That silence is a gift. It lets you finally drop into your project without interruption. No deadlines screaming at you. No errands. Just you, your words, and the kind of stillness that feels rare in today’s world.

A Landscape That Dares You to Imagine

Even in winter, the Highlands don’t dull down—they turn up the drama. One moment the mountains are clear and sharp against a blue sky, the next they’re swallowed by mist like a magician’s disappearing act. Storms roll in and roll out again, leaving behind skies so luminous they make you want to pull out your notebook immediately.

This landscape isn’t passive; it dares you to notice it, to describe it, to write it. Poets will find new rhythms in the wind. Novelists will discover metaphors in the long nights. Freelancers (my people!) might just remember that writing can be fun again.

Writing by the Fire (With Tea, Obviously)

There’s something ridiculously comforting about writing in winter. Picture this: you, a steaming mug of tea, your laptop or notebook, and a woodstove gently crackling in the background. No hustle, no rush—just words spilling out while the world outside hibernates.

It’s the kind of setting where writer’s block doesn’t stand a chance. And if it does? Well, there’s always another pot of tea.

Support for Every Kind of Writer

Every writer’s process looks different, and that’s something I love to honor here. Fiction writers might crave entire afternoons of uninterrupted solitude. Poets might wander the hills and come back with verses scribbled in the margins of their map. Freelancers often use this time to finally work on their online writing portfolio with Writer’s Residence—because let’s face it, uploading samples always gets pushed to “someday.”

And for those who want a little extra boost, there’s creative coaching with author Mandy Haggith and portfolio workshops with me (yes, the Monica behind Writer’s Residence). Think of it as your retreat plus a creative pep talk.

Why Winter Works

Here’s the truth: summer in Scotland is gorgeous, but it’s also busy. Winter, on the other hand, strips everything back. No crowds, no rush, no FOMO. Just dark evenings, long stretches of quiet, and a natural rhythm that practically begs you to write.

Winter isn’t about doing more. It’s about doing less—so that your words can do more.

Ready to Retreat?

If the idea of hunkering down in the Highlands with your notebook makes your heart race a little (in a good way), then maybe this is your year. Our Scotland writing retreats run from October to February, with options for 5–14 day stays. Whether you’re starting a new project, finishing an old one, or simply remembering why you love writing in the first place, you’ll find the time and space here.

Learn more about our Scotland writing retreats and see how this winter could be the season your words finally come alive.