Lismore retreats

Mairi facilitates various fiddle retreats on the isle of Lismore each year, which are designed to invigorate and awaken participants’ artistry.

Retreat participants get the chance to expand and explore their own playing and creativity, and have fun with others. 

Mairi brings her own unique approach to music teaching in her retreats. Her deep respect for Scottish traditional music sits alongside a gentle encouragement to find new pathways and sounds.

Retreats on Lismore are held at Carnie cottage, a traditional Highland cottage with a studio out the back.

Read the Herald’s review, the Highland Feminist’s blog or Lismore FAQs. To enquire about future sessions, please visit What’s on or contact Mairi.

Carnie cottage on Lismore

Accommodation

Retreats on Lismore are held at Carnie cottage, a traditional Highland cottage with a studio out the back. We have our meals in the cottage and stay there.

A recent change is that everyone gets their own individual bedroom! No need to worry about snoring!

Classes take place in the studio, a purpose-built space of 9m by 5.5m, with an oak floor, good light and good insulation, which is situated in the back garden of Carnie.

For additional information visit Lismore FAQs. To enquire about future sessions, please visit What’s on or contact Mairi.

Any more questions?

More information about Lismore retreats can be found on Lismore FAQs including info about:

  • Where Lismore is and how to get there
  • What happens on a retreat
  • Timings, food, internet access and more…

To enquire about future sessions, please visit What’s on or contact Mairi.

Lismore FAQs
"I came away from the weekend feeling inspired to follow my own creative path. Being given the opportunity to teach as well as learn felt great. I learned more about creating music, songwriting, improvising and harmonising. I really enjoyed being able to play with singing and use a full range of sounds and notes!"
Participant
"I felt very much that the way you ran the workshop gave me great freedom to explore some technical issues around my voice. Trust and support were built so that space cleared inside me, allowing my heart to connect to what felt at times like my authentic voice. No small thing."
Ray Fielder
"I had a wonderful weekend, rich in music, laughter and creativity. I was fascinated by the way in which you were able to attend to everyone’s individual needs within a group setting, and make it useful and interesting for all involved."
Margaret Christianson
"I was reminded of the powerful emotions in music and struck by the depth of emotion and sound created playing together and not alone. And I loved all the tunes we were able to take home. They really came alive over the course of the weekend."
Robin Abbey
"Your remarkable blend of simple and effective repetitive exercises with deep philosophical insights into the elemental purpose of folk tunes, has wrought in me a complete re-think about music as a universal language; and consequently to approach playing it by living it."
Retreat participant
"Have not enjoyed myself or felt so at home for a long time"
Retreat participant
"I loved the way you got everyone to bring something to the group, share it and take away seven times as much. It worked very successfully with a mixed ability group, as everyone’s contribution was equally valuable."
Retreat participant
"I went places with word, music and song where I have never gone before and wonder where to next. All of this due to your vision, sensitivity, hospitality and musical integrity, not always an easy path. Thank you."
Retreat participant
"I felt very moved by our connection"
Retreat participant
"The weekend fitted into my general philosophy of life – sharing food, wine, music, chat, getting to know new people, spending time with people I know well, being in a beautiful place, as well as being personally challenged, and in a learning environment, having an adventure."
Retreat participant
"I came away from the weekend feeling inspired to follow my own creative path. Being given the opportunity to teach as well as learn felt great. I learned more about creating music, songwriting, improvising and harmonising. I really enjoyed being able to play with singing and use a full range of sounds and notes!"
Retreat participant
"One of the things I really enjoy about your teaching is the amount of attention you give to individuals"
Retreat participant
"The holistic feel to the weekend is everything: Meeting as new friends on the ferry over, eating great food, singing, playing, dancing, laughing and getting tired together, looking out of the workshop window and quietly sharing the beautiful view together, leaving on the ferry as old friends, sharing it all with people who are passionate about singing and playing at whatever level."
Retreat participant
"I said that I wanted to feel more confident with my singing and I do. Also I feel happier about harmonising and risking straying into off tune and off beat areas."
Retreat participant
"It was really relaxing but hard work – if that makes sense"
Retreat participant
"I think the weekend was about many things: getting away from the hustle and bustle; time away from all the technology; cohesion of the group on different levels; The ambience of the cottage and the island lend themselves well to getting back to simple reality and connecting with one’s deeper feelings and trying to express them through the music without pressure"
Retreat participant
"My relationship to music has definitely shifted for the better. Although I can see the value in classical training, unless you are going to be a virtuoso, a professional musician, or at least very good, it can be very judgmental and exclusive. Spending the weekend playing a different kind of music in a setting that was non-judgmental and inclusive, was wonderfully liberating."
Retreat participant
"I found that if I sing-meditate, there is a sureness that comes to my voice, unforced and then there is an authenticity"
Retreat participant
"What a great experience! It was lovely to have some time to really chill out, but also learn a huge amount. The atmosphere you created with the group was quite special. It felt very calm, and yet there was so much going on. I really enjoyed getting a chance to play and learn, but also the chance to meet some local folk."
Retreat participant
"I can tell it’s already having an impact on my playing, and in ways I really didn’t expect. I seem to have come away with a glimmer of hope that I can read music…how did you do that? I particularly enjoyed the first session on the Saturday, and the way that you kept everyone involved, even while you were giving some very individual tuition."
Retreat participant
"The whole thrust of last weekend has completely altered my approach to traditional music in general and Scottish fiddle in particular"
Retreat participant
"Your remarkable blend of simple and effective repetitive exercises, with deep philosophical insights into the elemental purpose of folk tunes, has wrought in me a complete re-think about music as a universal language; and consequently to approach playing it by living it."
Graham Knaggs
"Thank you once again for a truly memorable and enjoyable few days on your lovely island. The whole thing was a rounded success with the unexpected bonus of ‘Pulse’. Your encouragement and insight helped the whole group to relax into the playing… you clearly have rare gifts."
Retreat participant
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Retreats and workshops can be booked through Mairi’s shop, plus find information about what retreats and workshops are coming up. You can also stay informed about the latest retreats and workshops by signing up to the mailing list.

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