The Illusory Nature of Reality - Portsoy 20 - 22 Nov - Kadampa Meditation Centre Aberdeen

The Illusory Nature of Reality – Portsoy Retreat 20 – 22 Nov 2026

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The perfect retreat getaway

Enjoy a restful and uplifting weekend retreat on the Moray coast at the beautiful Sail Loft in Portsoy, a wonderful place for peace and reflection. In this tranquil setting, within easy reach of Aberdeen and Inverness, you can enjoy a restful meditation retreat, discover an inner calm and develop inspiring new insights on life.

Between meditations you can enjoy walking by the sea and on the coastal path, sitting in the garden by the stream, relaxing in the outdoor hot-tub or wandering around the 17th Century historic harbour.

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

In this weekend meditation retreat, Buddhist nun, Kelsang Yonchen, will guide profound meditations from Buddha’s wisdom teachings, in particular looking at the Emptiness of our own Mind.

“All phenomenon that appear to my mind are the nature of my mind. My mind is the nature of emptiness”
Geshe Kelsang Gyatso, Modern Buddhism

When we deeply investigate how everything appears to us only within our mind, and how our mind itself does not exist from its own side; then we can come to realise that everything is like an illusion.

With this understanding we stop grasping so tightly, learn to live life lightly, and create the foundation for meditating on the ultimate nature of all phenomenon, emptiness. Through perfecting this meditation we become permanently free from suffering and experience only the peace and happiness of nirvana or full enlightenment.

During this retreat, Kelsang Yonchen will give essential instructions and guide meditations on this most profound topic.

There will be four guided meditation sessions each day, with plenty of time between sessions to enjoy the beautiful surroundings and delicious vegetarian food.

The majority of the retreat will be held in silence to deepen the peaceful experience, and participants are asked to turn off their devices for the duration.

It is amazing what can be accomplished over a weekend only, and participants consistently reflect on how refreshed, happy, and well they feel by the end of the weekend.

For those coming from further away, it is possible to get lifts from Aberdeen, and we can help arrange overnight accommodation in Aberdeen before and after the course.

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!

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

Shared room (2 – 3 single beds): £275 per person

Dorm (4 or 6 beds in bunks): £210 per person

Camping / camper van: £190 per person

Offsite including meals: £160

Offsite no meals: £130

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. 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. We will be in silence from after Friday night intro until lunchtime Sunday

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

Schedule:

Friday:

7.30 to 8.45pm Evening Intro

Saturday:

9.30 to 10.45 Session 1

11.45 to 13.00 Session 2

16.30 to 17.45 Session 3

19.30 to 20.45 Session 4

Sunday

9.30 to 10.45 Session 1

11.45 to 12.45 Session 2

14.45 to 15.45 Walk : Practice in Action

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

Kelsang Yonchen is the Resident Teacher at Kadampa Meditation Centre Aberdeen. She has been practising Kadampa Buddhism for over 14 years and was ordained as a Buddhist nun in 2023. Before moving to Aberdeen, she served as the Resident Teacher at Ganden Ling Kadampa Meditation Centre in Cornwall. Yonchen is known for her warm heart, practical wisdom, and clear, accessible teaching style that makes Buddha’s teachings easy to understand and apply in daily life.

Portsoy Retreat The Illusory Nature of Reality 20-22 Nov
Price range: £130.00 through £385.00
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 found the sessions inspiring and they had a positive impact on my life as I consider myself to be more calm and thoughtful, taking more notice of my body’s needs and dealing with stressful situations with more ease. The biggest learning was being kinder to myself. Classes were easy to access and well presented. Thank you."

Online classes 19th May 2023
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The Illusory Nature of Reality – Portsoy Retreat 20 – 22 Nov 2026

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