Edinburgh Writers’ Retreat

The best one-day writing retreat in brilliant Edinburgh

Sometimes what you really need is simple: time, space and a whole load of tea and biscuits to get writing.

Well, it just so happens that’s exactly what happens at a Writers’ HQ writers’ retreat.

Because, look, we get it. We have the same writerly problem. We make the grandest of plans – Booker Prize winning plans! Pulitzer winning plans! – but life gets in the way.

There’s always one more thing to do, or one more stupid thing to look at on the Internet. Before you know it, it’s gone midnight, you’re sitting in your pants eating Dairy Milk, and you’ve written 25 words. Ugh.

That’s why we developed our writing retreats, in which we turn off the wifi and make you get on with it.

We help you set a writing target for the day, ply you with caffeine, cake, and gold stars, and keep you pepped up and motivated all day long.

All you have to do is, uh… write.

Our (in)famous writing retreats were born in Brighton all the way back in 2012 and have since spread across the UK. You’ll find a whole range of writers here — from novelists to short fictioneers, screenwriters to poets, academics to journallers. Everyone is welcome. 

So c’mon down and let us help you. Because the only way to get your writing done is to sit down and write.

Directions

The venue is just off the high street and there is on-street parking.

A range of buses also run to Portobello from the centre of Edinburgh (services 26, 45, 15 and 49) and from East Lothian.

The nearest train station is Brunstane which is a 15 min walk away and has regular services to Waverley station (8 mins to city centre). There is also a new service from Brunstane to the Borders.

Accessibility

Tribe Porty has level and step-free access throughout, and an accessible disabled toilet.

The walls and the doors have high colour contrast and there is good lighting throughout.

We can also cater for dietary requirements.

If you have any additional needs, please let us know when you book or email help@writershq.co.uk and we’ll do everything we can do help. 

Anything else?

Writers’ HQ retreats are strictly no sharing events!

We want you to focus on writing your story instead of getting anxious about other people reading it.

There is no workshopping or taught element to the retreats. It’s just about the writing. 

For more writing resources, check out our awesome range of online writing courses.

Who's hosting?

The glorious Veronique Kootstra!

Veronique runs the Edinburgh retreats and also hosts online weekend retreats and other webinars. She writes short stories, flash fiction and is querying her first novel.

She’s currently working on her second novel. When she’s not writing you can usually find her in the cinema or on Twitter.

Twitter: @vkootstra