Wilderness Fitness Retreats: Scottish Highlands Wellness & Adventure

Wilderness Fitness Retreats are set in the Scottish Highlands, with the main base being the Glenlivet croft in the Cairngorm National Park. The retreats also travel to Torridon, the Isle of Skye and Ullapool, depending on the dates. Each location shapes what you do: freediving in Skye, sea kayaking in Ullapool, guided mountain days in Torridon. The common thread is that everything happens outdoors.

A typical day starts with a movement session — a mix of strength training, bodyweight circuits, mobility work and running drills, all tailored to the group's fitness level. After breakfast, there might be a guided hike up a Munro or a coastal walk, then lunch. Afternoons are for workshops: fermentation and preservation, foraging, sometimes a spice workshop with Ghillie Başan (Yaz's mum, a cookery writer). Yoga happens most evenings, often in a yurt or a studio space, and there's usually a hot tub or wild swim to finish. Massage is available on most retreats.

What sets these apart is the family setup. Yaz runs the retreats with her brother Zeki (who runs Highland Survival Skills) and her mum Ghillie. Guests eat meals cooked by Ghillie, often using ingredients foraged that day. The woodland dining — a feast in the forest — is a regular highlight. Because the group size is small, the schedule flexes: if everyone wants to spend longer on a hike or skip a session to read by the fire, that's fine.

Accommodation is usually in the family home or a nearby Highland property, with shared rooms and some private options. It's comfortable but not hotel-standard — think wood-burning stoves, tartan blankets, home-cooked food and a communal living space. The emphasis is on being together, not on luxury.

The retreats are designed to be inclusive. You don't need to be fit to start — Yaz scales every session to the group, and there's no pressure to do everything. The women-only retreats tend to attract solo travellers in their 30s to 60s, while the Mental Health Festivals are mixed-gender and specifically aimed at making the experience accessible, with subsidised places available.

Beyond the scheduled retreats, Yaz also runs bespoke weekends — for groups of friends, hen parties, or corporate teams. These can be single days or longer stays, and she builds the itinerary around what the group wants.

What's included

- Accommodation in shared rooms (private rooms available for a supplement) - All meals from dinner on arrival day to breakfast on departure day - Daily fitness sessions (strength, mobility, running) - Yoga classes - Guided hikes - Foraging and fermentation workshops - Woodland dining experience - Wild swimming (optional) - Use of hot tub (at some locations) - Massage (on some retreats, book in advance) - All equipment for activities

What's not included

- Travel to and from the retreat - Airport or station transfers (can be arranged for a fee) - Travel insurance - Alcohol - Additional massage treatments - Personal expenses - Souvenirs