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Heart of Wisdom – Emptiness Retreat 21-23 Nov 2025

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The perfect retreat getaway

Set in an idyllic retreat venue in tranquil surroundings facing the ocean. Between meditations you can enjoy walking by the sea or on the coastal cliff paths, sitting in the garden by the stream, relaxing in the outdoor hot-tub or wandering around the 17th Century historic harbour in peaceful village of Portsoy in North-East Scotland.

The power of silence

Normally we are constantly distracted by external objects, busy activities and scattered thoughts. Observing silence is a powerful method to disengage us from busyness and  to deepen our contemplation and concentration.  The retreat has periods of silence and participants are asked to switch off their phones for the duration of the retreat.

The retreat

“There is no greater method for experiencing peace of mind and happiness than to understand and meditate on emptiness” – Geshe Kelsang Gyatso, How to Transform Your Life. 

Emptiness is the actual nature of reality. Because we do not understand emptiness, we create all our own problems by getting angry and engaging in negative actions.

When we have the knowledge of emptiness we can begin to reduce our problems, eventually overcoming all of them permanently and then we can live in harmony with the actual nature of things. We can live our lives lightly and joyfully.

This weekend retreat led by visiting teacher Gen Kelsang Tubchen, is an opportunity to embark upon and deepen our understanding about emptiness and discover that things do not exist outside of the mind but are just mere appearances, like dreams.

This is Buddha’s most profound and transformative teaching; emptiness – the true nature of reality. With this knowledge, we can solve all our problems, find freedom from all limitations, and be of the greatest benefit to the world.

The retreat begins on Friday with arrival from 4pm, dinner at 6pm and first session at 7:30pm, and finishes at 3:30pm on Sunday. 

More info

More info:

  • The course is available to join in person only.
  • Each session includes guided meditation and short teachings
  • The retreat includes some silent periods in the mornings
  • The retreat is run by volunteers and participants are expected to join as part of the retreat experience in with small jobs to help the retreat run smoothly.
  • The food is simple homemade vegetarian food and we can cater for vegan / gluten-free requirements if arranged in advance. We recommend bringing some of your own supplies if you have specific requirements.
  • 1hr 20mins from Aberdeen and Inverness
  • All income goes to running the centre which is a registered charity.
Accommodation

Accommodation at the Sail loft in Portsoy – all rooms have sea views!

Early bird prices end 30 September!

Please note – single rooms are extremely limited, we encourage people to share rooms, all of which are of a very high and comfortable standard.   Sharing with other participants can enhance the retreat experience.  

If your chosen accommodation is not available please email us at info@meditateinaberdeen.org to ask to be placed on a waiting list or there is accommodation available locally.

The accommodation is simple but of high standard. Solid individual wooden beds, with high quality comfortable mattresses and fresh bed linen.  The dorms have very comfortable bunkbeds in them with individual lights and which are high enough to sit comfortably in bed. Camping is behind the Sail loft, by the garden and burn. Campervans can park in the carpark in front of the sail loft.  24hr access to indoor showers & toilets provided. There is a common living room with an open fire, a dining room, and outdoor garden.

For those thinking of organising accommodation away from the retreat centre there is a caravan park next door, as well as nearby hotels and holiday accommodation.

Single room £385 | Early bird price £310 

Shared room (2 – 3 single beds): £275 per person | Early bird price £220 

Dorm (4 or 6 beds in bunks): £210 per person | Early bird price £175 

Camping / camper van: £190 per person | Early bird price £160

Offsite including meals: £160 | Early bird price £130

Offsite no meals: £130| Early bird price £105

Accommodation includes: 2 nights, all meals & refreshments and all the teaching & retreat sessions.  All income goes to running the centre which is a registered charity.

If you wish to share with a specific person you should book all the places and send an email to let us know who is sharing, but we cannot guarantee exclusive use. There may also be others sharing the room.

Please also let us know if you wish to book a twin room for mixed genders – this is possible if we have a full twin room available.

If you would like to pay in instalments please select to pay by standing order when you book and we will contact you to arrange payment of a deposit.

Cancellations up to 4 weeks prior to the course will receive a full refund minus a 10% admin fee, Cancellations up to 1 week before receive 50% refund.  No refund for cancellations made in the seven days immediately prior to the retreat.

Schedule

Schedule:

The meditation sessions will take place in The Salmon Bothy, which is a short walk along the beach from the sail loft.  For those with mobility problems you can drive and park easily at both venues.

It will be possible to return to the sail loft between sessions or to stay in the course room which also has tea and coffee facilities and toilets.

Each session will include essential teachings and a guided meditations.  The mornings will include some silent periods between sessions.

There are breaks between sessions and in the afternoon to take walks in the beautiful surroundings.

FRIDAY

Arrival from 4:30pm, dinner at 6pm
Introduction to the Retreat: 7:30 – 8:30pm

SATURDAY

9 – 9:30am – Session 1 – Morning Meditation
10:00 – 11:00am – Session 2
12 – 1pm – Session 3
4:30- 5:30pm – Session 4
7:30- 8:30pm – Session 5

SUNDAY

9 – 9:30am – Session 1 – Morning Meditation
10:00 – 11:00am – Session 2
12 – 12.45pm – Session 3
2:30 – 3:30pm Q&A and Feedback

Getting There

The Venue

The accommodation and meals will be at The Sail Loft Back Green, Portsoy, AB45 2AF

The meditation sessions are a short walk along the beach from The Sail Loft and will be held at The Salmon Bothy, Links Road, Portsoy, AB45 2SS

Getting There

1hr 20mins from Aberdeen (via Huntly is the best route)
1 hr 30mins from Inverness

Both Aberdeen and Inverness have airports and train stations and we can help organise onward travel or lift shares from there.

The nearest train station is Huntly

Gen Kelsang Tubchen is the Resident Teacher at KMC Dumfries and we are delighted to invite her back to the North of Scotland to guide this retreat. An inspiring and gifted teacher, she is loved for her clear, powerful and practical teachings.   She has 20 years of experience of engaging in, teaching and guiding retreats and has taught in both the Nordic region and the UK.

  • Heart of Wisdom Retreat – 21-23 Nov
    £105.00 – £310.00
    Please make a booking for your preferred accommodation & pay the course fee. If you would like to pay in instalments please select to pay by standing order when you book and we will contact you to arrange payment of a deposit. If for any reason we are unable to offer you your chosen accommodation […]

"I enjoyed the time to breathe, reflect and learn how to incorporate medidtation into my own life."

Half-day course participant, Stonehaven, 2024 15th November 2024

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KMC ABERDEEN

77-79 King St,
Aberdeen, AB24 5AB

+44 (0) 7562 935565
info@meditateinaberdeen.org

Registered Charity – SC037146

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