Plan Your Trip to Scotland
A little planning can make the journey part of the experience. Here’s what you need to know about arriving early, getting to Inverness, and beginning your Stone & Sky retreat rested and ready.
Arrive Early. Enjoy Scotland.
If you’re traveling from the U.S. or another long-haul destination, we strongly recommend arriving in Scotland 1–3 days before your retreat begins.
Give yourself time to adjust, recover from travel, and enjoy a little more of Scotland before Stone and Sky begins.
Plan to be in Inverness no later than the evening before your retreat begins.
How Much Time Do You Have?
1 Day Early
Rest & Reset in Inverness
Keep this day simple. Arrive in Inverness, check into your hotel, and give yourself time to recover from your journey.
Take an easy walk along the River Ness, explore the city centre, enjoy dinner at a local restaurant, and get a good night’s sleep before the retreat begins.
Best for: Guests who want the shortest pre-retreat stay while still allowing some time to adjust before the retreat.
2 Days Early
Edinburgh + The Journey North
Spend your first day exploring Edinburgh—wander the Royal Mile, see Edinburgh Castle, enjoy a great meal, and settle into Scotland at an easy pace.
The following day, travel north to Inverness. The train journey itself is part of the experience, with beautiful scenery along the way. Arrive in Inverness with time to settle in before the retreat.
Best for: Guests who want to experience Edinburgh without adding a lengthy pre-retreat trip.
3+ Days Early
Make It a Mini Scotland Adventure
With three or more days, consider turning your journey to the retreat into a Scotland experience of its own. Spend time in Edinburgh, explore another part of Scotland, or take a slower journey north through the Highlands before arriving in Inverness.
You might combine Edinburgh with a stop in Pitlochry or Aviemore, or simply give yourself more time to wander without a packed itinerary.
Best for: Guests who want to make the most of their trip to Scotland and enjoy a few days of independent exploring before joining Stone & Sky.
Getting to Inverness
Inverness is the gateway to the Scottish Highlands and the meeting point for your Stone & Sky retreat. Depending on your travel plans, you can reach Inverness by air, train, or car.
By Air
Fly into Inverness Airport (INV)
Inverness has its own airport, making flying a convenient option for reaching the Highlands. Depending on your itinerary, you may be able to connect to Inverness through another UK airport.
From the airport, Inverness city centre is a short taxi or ground-transport journey away.
By Train
Enjoy the Journey North
Traveling by train is a wonderful way to reach Inverness while seeing more of Scotland along the way. Trains connect Inverness with cities including Edinburgh and Glasgow, making this an especially nice option if you’re spending a few days exploring before the retreat.
Sit back, enjoy the changing scenery, and let the journey into the Highlands become part of your Scotland experience.
By Car
Explore at Your Own Pace
Driving gives you the freedom to explore Scotland at your own pace and make stops along the way. If you’re comfortable driving in Scotland, a rental car can be a great option for extending your trip before or after the retreat.
You won’t need a car during the retreat—transportation for our scheduled retreat excursions is included.
From Inverness to the Retreat
Once you reach Inverness, we’ll help with the rest.
Stone & Sky will coordinate transportation with a local taxi service from Inverness to the retreat estate on arrival day and back to Inverness when the retreat concludes.
Before your retreat, you’ll receive the designated pickup location, approximate timing, and transportation details so you’ll know exactly where to go.
Guests pay the transportation provider directly.
Where to Stay in Inverness
We recommend spending the night before your retreat in Inverness. This gives you time to settle in, enjoy the city, and be ready for the Stone & Sky transportation to the retreat estate the following day.
There are a variety of hotels, guesthouses, and B&Bs in and around Inverness city centre, with options for different budgets and travel styles.
A Few Places to Consider
Premier Inn Inverness Centre (River Ness)
A comfortable, straightforward option in central Inverness, with an easy location for exploring the city before your retreat. A good choice if you want something convenient and uncomplicated.
Kingsmills Hotel
A historic four-star hotel set in peaceful gardens just outside the heart of Inverness. With comfortable rooms, restaurants, a pool and spa facilities, it’s a lovely option if you’d like your pre-retreat stay to feel like the beginning of your Highland experience.
Ness Walk
A luxury hotel set along the banks of the River Ness, within walking distance of central Inverness. It’s a beautiful choice if you’d like to begin your Scotland experience with a quieter, more elevated stay before joining the retreat.
A Note About Booking
Hotels in Inverness can fill quickly during the summer months. We recommend reserving your pre-retreat accommodation when you book your travel rather than waiting until closer to the retreat.
Hotel recommendations are provided as a convenience. Guests book and pay for their accommodations independently.
Before You Book Your Flights
Give yourself some breathing room. International travel doesn’t always go according to plan, and arriving early gives you time for delays, missed connections, jet lag, and the unexpected.
When planning your flights:
- Plan to arrive in Scotland 1–3 days before your retreat whenever possible.
- Be in Inverness by the evening before the retreat begins.
- Avoid planning to fly into Inverness on the morning the retreat begins.
- When booking your return flight, allow enough time after the retreat for your journey from the estate back to Inverness and any onward connections.
Stone & Sky will provide your retreat transportation schedule well in advance so you can coordinate your arrival and departure plans.
What to Pack for Scotland
Scottish weather is part of the adventure—and it can change quickly. Even in summer, you may experience sunshine, wind, rain, and cooler temperatures all in the same day.
We recommend bringing:
- Comfortable layers you can add or remove
- A waterproof jacket
- Comfortable, sturdy walking shoes
- A small day bag for excursions
- Sunglasses and sunscreen
- A reusable water bottle
- One outfit you feel good wearing for our special evenings
You don’t need to pack for every possibility. Registered guests will receive a more detailed packing guide before the retreat, including suggestions specific to the planned activities.
Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance for your Scotland journey. A comprehensive policy may help protect your investment if unexpected circumstances affect your travel plans.
When comparing policies, consider coverage for trip cancellation or interruption, travel delays, lost or delayed luggage, medical care abroad, and any activities you plan to participate in during your trip.
Travel insurance is purchased independently and is not included in your Stone & Sky retreat package.
A Few Final Travel Details
Before you travel, make sure you’ve taken care of the essentials for your trip to Scotland:
- Check that your passport will be valid for your travel dates.
- Review the current UK entry requirements that apply to you.
- Make sure you have access to a credit or debit card that works internationally.
- Notify your mobile carrier or arrange an international phone/data option.
- Keep important travel information, medications, and a change of clothes in your carry-on.
- Leave a little room in your luggage—you may find a few things in Scotland you want to bring home.
Travel requirements can change, so guests are responsible for confirming current passport, entry, and travel requirements before departure.
Your Scotland Journey Starts Here
The retreat may begin when we gather at the estate, but your Stone & Sky experience begins long before you arrive.
Give yourself time to enjoy the journey, experience a little more of Scotland, and arrive in the Highlands ready for what comes next.
We’ll take care of the details once we come together. You just need to get yourself to Inverness.