$Eilean Donan Castle on Loch Duich at golden hour$

An eight-day, small-group Scotland experience for women

A Little Smut in Scotland

Seven nights in the Highlands and Isle of Skye, with your own room, someone else handling the plans, and a book you'd rather not explain to airport security.

Come to Scotland. Read scandalous books. Walk through landscapes that look fictional. For once, you do not have to make every minute useful.

October 3–10, 2027 · Scottish Highlands + Isle of Skye · Small group

Place Your $500 Deposit

Your deposit reserves a spot in the small group and applies toward your total trip price. The estimated investment is $7,500 per guest. You'll receive final pricing, the complete itinerary, and your payment schedule before your next payment is due.

International airfare is not included.

Trip details

DatesOctober 3–10, 2027 · Eight days / seven nights
LocationScottish Highlands + Isle of Skye
Group sizeSmall group
Estimated investment$7,500 per guest
RoomsYour own room, every night
FlightsNot included · Fly into Inverness
Deposit$500, applied toward your total trip price

$Autumn hillside above a still Highland loch, a white cottage at the shore$

You know exactly what happens.

You have been avoiding the series because you know yourself too well.

You'll start with one chapter before bed. Then it's 1:47 a.m., the Kindle says you have three hours and twelve minutes left, and tomorrow's responsibilities suddenly seem considerably less important than finding out whether these two emotionally constipated people finally communicate.

So sometimes you don't start at all.

There's work to finish, laundry running while you answer email, a podcast playing while you clean the kitchen, and a trip researched through twenty-seven open tabs while you're still answering everyone else's questions about where to eat and when to leave.

For seven nights, the book gets more than the leftover ten minutes of your day. So do you.

A cozy blanket, a warm mug, and a fire glowing in the background

Dunvegan Castle on its rock above the loch, Isle of Skye

Wild Scotland. A cozy house. Actual time to read.

This is the Scotland trip for the woman who wants the wild landscape, the stack of books, the castle ruins, the Highland coos, the moody weather, and someone else handling the logistics for once.

We'll begin in Inverness, explore the Highlands, and head west to the Isle of Skye, with bookstores, ancient standing stones, waterfalls, and places that make you understand why Scotland keeps ending up in fantasy novels.

A man feeding a Highland cow in a field near Inverness

A multi-level secondhand bookshop, shelves rising to the ceiling

For four nights, our planned base is Greshornish House on Skye. This is where we settle in: private rooms, breakfast, dinners together, reading between outings, and a full day with no scheduled excursion.

Greshornish House, a private country house on the Isle of Skye

Aerial view of Greshornish House on the shore of Loch Greshornish, Isle of Skye

Some days we'll put on waterproof boots and go exploring. Others leave room to read, nap, wander, or claim the best chair by the window while the rain moves across the hills.

The Old Man of Storr rising through mist, Isle of Skye

Kilt Rock waterfall dropping into the sea, Isle of Skye

There will be actual time to sit with coffee and look out the window. To linger over dinner. To stand somewhere beautiful and then come back to the house, instead of squeezing in one more stop because the itinerary said so.

Standing stone at Clava Cairns among autumn trees

A winding river delta meeting the sea on the Isle of Skye

A small group

Small enough to share a dinner conversation, get to know one another, and travel without feeling like part of a crowd.

Your own room, every night

A door you can close whenever you want your own space, with other women nearby whenever you want company.

A cozy reading chair by a window at Greshornish House

Reading without homework

Bring the book you can't stop thinking about, or the entire overambitious stack. No quotas, no analysis, no discussion questions.

A charming Highlands bakery storefront, bread in the window

Someone else handling the details

The rooms, driver, reservations, timing, and group plans are handled. You won't be the one reminding everyone when to leave.

The Old Man of Storr at sunrise, Isle of Skye

Bring whatever you cannot wait to disappear into.

There's no assigned reading and no expectation that everyone loves the same books.

Bring fantasy, romantasy, historical romance, thrillers, mysteries, or the seven-book series you've been avoiding because you can't afford to lose a week of your regular life to it.

Bring one book. Bring five. Download the whole series to your Kindle, because we both know how this could go.

There will be protected reading windows throughout the trip, plus room to trade recommendations, swap books, and compare questionable fictional men with women who understand why this is a perfectly reasonable use of international travel.

You never have to share what you're reading. Sometimes the best company is another woman sitting nearby, equally unavailable to the outside world.

If you want a starting point, there is exactly one suggestion, because I cannot name a trip A Little Smut in Scotland and then fail to assign completely optional homework.

The book is By the Sword by Mercedes Lackey. Every time the scenery gets described, I picture the Highlands, which is either a coincidence or the entire reason this trip exists.

You do not have to read it. There will be no quiz, no discussion circle, and no one checking your progress. It is simply there if you want it, and entirely ignorable if you do not.

The planned itinerary

Eight days, with enough room to enjoy where we are.

This is our working itinerary. Specific stops and timings are still being finalized, and the order of our Skye outings will depend on the weather.

See the day-by-day plan

Sunday, October 3 · Arrive in Inverness

Arrive, transfer to the hotel, and settle in. No required sightseeing.

Depending on your flight, there's time for a café, a riverside wander, or just reading at the hotel. Dinner is at your own expense, with recommendations and the option to eat together.

Monday, October 4 · Highland coos, Urquhart Castle, and Loch Ness

We'll head out from Inverness for our planned Highland coo experience and a visit to Urquhart Castle, with a lunch stop in Drumnadrochit at your own expense.

We'll return by late afternoon, leaving time to read or wander before dinner. This evening's meal is also at your own expense.

Tuesday, October 5 · Standing stones and the road to Skye

We'll visit Clava Cairns before heading west through the Highlands, with a lunch stop along the way.

In Portree, the plan leaves time for the Carmina Gadelica bookshop, a café, and the harbour before we continue to Greshornish House.

We'll arrive by late afternoon, with dinner at the house included.

4–6

Wednesday–Friday, October 6–8 · Two outings and one house day

We'll arrange these three days in whatever order the forecast favors.

Northern Skye

A day exploring the island's dramatic northern scenery, with planned viewpoint stops around the Old Man of Storr, Lealt Falls, Kilt Rock and Mealt Falls, and the Quiraing. This day is designed around short walks and photo stops rather than full hiking routes.

Fairy Pools and Sligachan

Our planned longer walk at the Fairy Pools, conditions permitting, followed by a stop at Sligachan Old Bridge. Detailed walking requirements and available alternatives will be shared with the confirmed itinerary.

The house day

Breakfast at leisure, afternoon tea standing in for lunch, and nothing on the calendar but however you want to spend the hours. Read, nap, walk by the loch, or do all of the above.

Breakfast and dinner at Greshornish are included each day. Lunches on outing days are at your own expense.

Saturday, October 9 · Return to Inverness

We'll leave after breakfast and travel back through the Highlands, with a possible Eilean Donan stop if timing allows and a lunch stop at your own expense.

Once we're back in Inverness, the afternoon is yours: Leakey's, a café, or one more wander by the river before our included farewell dinner together.

Sunday, October 10 · Fly home

Breakfast and departure transfers, with arrangements confirmed in your pre-trip logistics information.

No group sightseeing, just Scotland sending you off.

A cozy bedroom with a reading chair by the window at Greshornish House

A fireside lounge at Greshornish House, leather chesterfields and tartan

Your own room, every single night.

The accommodation plan includes two nights in central Inverness, four nights at Greshornish House on Skye, and a final night in Inverness before you fly home.

Greshornish is where we really settle in. Four nights gives us time to enjoy staying somewhere, with dinners together, reading between outings, and a full house day.

Every guest has a private room throughout the trip. Final accommodation details will be provided with the confirmed itinerary.

$A tiered afternoon tea by the fire at Greshornish House$

Breakfast handled. Dinner together. Room for a café of your own.

Breakfast is included every morning. So are all four dinners at Greshornish, afternoon tea on our house day, and our farewell dinner in Inverness.

Other lunches and the first two Inverness dinners are at your own expense. I'll share recommendations, and you can make your own plans or join others from the group.

We'll collect dietary requirements before departure and confirm what our hospitality partners can accommodate.

Alcohol is purchased separately.

A woman standing alone on a rock overlooking a Highland loch

You don't need to convince a friend to come.

You can book this trip on your own.

We'll have a private group space and casual pre-trip gatherings so you can meet the other women, ask questions, and start swapping book recommendations before we land.

During the trip, you'll have people to share dinner, transportation, and the "are you seeing this?" moments with, while still having space to experience Scotland in your own way.

You'll never be required to become instant best friends, just considerate, flexible, and willing to share the experience.

No one will make you do a trust fall or share your zodiac sign unless you bring it up first.

No spells. No ceremonies. No required belief system.

You will not be asked to dress like your favorite character, join a coven, perform a ritual, manifest a fictional man, or pretend the standing stones are a portal. Unless you accidentally find one. In that case, please notify the group.

A Little Smut in Scotland is not a fantasy role-playing retreat or a spiritual pilgrimage. We are simply going somewhere exceptionally beautiful to read engrossing books, explore wild landscapes, eat excellent food, get cozy, laugh frequently, and let someone else handle the logistics.

You can love stories about witches, fae, dragons, time travel, morally questionable men, or ordinary people making terrible romantic decisions without being asked to adopt any of it as a lifestyle.

Bring your Kindle. Bring your sense of humor. Leave the ceremonial robes at home.

Kelsey standing on a coastal bluff, smiling, ocean in the background

I've spent a large portion of my life planning what happens next.

I'm Kelsey, founder of True North Resilience, a longtime traveler, and a woman who understands both the pleasure of a beautifully designed itinerary and the profound relief of not being the person responsible for it.

Much of my work is with women who are used to carrying responsibility. I wanted to create a trip where we could enjoy good books, beautiful places, and each other's company without turning the experience into another thing to work on.

A Little Smut in Scotland is the least serious expression of that work, on purpose.

I won't ask you to perform vulnerability or use an international vacation to fix yourself. I'll make sure you know what's happening, where we're going, what to pack, and when you can stop paying attention and go back to your book.

Kelsey Hire · Founder of True North Resilience · Leadership Resilience Strategist

From women who've traveled with True North

"Don't wait! Sign up and go! I was burned out and felt like I was way past my limit. I carried a heaviness and was losing hope but continued to push on. I couldn't remember who I was or what I even enjoyed anymore because I had been living braced for so long. I walked away from this retreat lighter, happier, and back to the real me. I'm enjoying things again. I'm so glad I went on this retreat! It was amazing and I won't ever forget it!"

Joy P.

"This retreat is a good balance of adventure, working on oneself, and creating sustainable habits with explanation as to why they work. It's a community of healing, fun, and phenomenal women."

Michelle G.

"I came in with a heavy load and left with freedom. It was amazing to share and grow with the beautiful women that attended this retreat. I have the ability to better listen to my body and recenter it when I need to. I recommend this retreat to anyone needing to help balance their LIFE!"

Megan J.

These testimonials describe previous True North retreats that included personal-development programming. A Little Smut in Scotland is a new travel experience with a different format.

Is this your kind of trip?

Woman with a coffee and a book at a bookshop cafe, a tote bag beside her

You'll probably enjoy this if:

You carry a lot of responsibility and are tired of being the default planner.
You love beautiful places, good stories, and travel with room to breathe.
You want companionship without having to be social every waking minute.
You like exploring, but also consider an afternoon spent reading an excellent use of your time.
You want your own room and some choice in how you spend your days.
You want a memorable trip without a personal-development assignment.

This may not be your trip if:

Your ideal holiday involves full-day hikes, nightlife, or covering as many attractions as possible. This itinerary will probably feel too slow.
You're looking for coaching, workshops, rituals, or a spiritual retreat. Those aren't part of this experience.
The word "smut" makes you angry rather than amused. We may not be your travel group.

What's included

Included in the planned investment

Seven nights of accommodation in a private room
Private transportation for scheduled group travel
Group arrival and departure transfers in Inverness
Breakfast daily
Four dinners on Skye, one afternoon tea, and the farewell dinner
Scheduled group experiences and admissions
Protected reading windows and unscheduled time
A private pre-trip group space and casual group gatherings
On-trip hosting and coordination by Kelsey

Additional expenses

Round-trip travel to Scotland
Travel insurance
Other lunches and the first two Inverness dinners
Alcohol
Optional activities, shopping, and personal expenses
Gratuities
Passport and applicable entry documentation costs

Final transfer arrangements and inclusions will be detailed in your confirmed itinerary.

Reserve your place

Estimated investment

$7,500 per guest

Your own room throughout$500 deposit to reserve

The dates, route, group size, and private-room format are set. I'm finishing supplier arrangements and the remaining trip details before confirming the final price.

Your $500 deposit reserves a spot in the small group and applies toward your total trip price.

You'll receive final pricing, the complete itinerary, and your payment schedule before your next payment is due. Monthly payment plans are planned, with available schedules confirmed when final pricing is released.

Place Your $500 Deposit

The $7,500 figure is a working estimate, not a final quote. Booking is governed by the Participant Agreement and cancellation policy.

How booking works

Reserve your place

Pay your $500 deposit and receive confirmation of your reservation.

Review the final details

I'll send the confirmed itinerary, final price, and available payment schedules before your next payment is due.

Complete your booking

Choose your payment schedule, complete the traveler questionnaire, and sign the Participant Agreement.

Look forward to Scotland

Travel guidance, packing information, and invitations to our pre-trip gatherings will arrive without a year of managing the details yourself.

Frequently asked questions

Do I have to read smut?

No. Bring whatever you want to read. Romance and smut give the trip its playful personality, but there is no assigned book or required genre.

Is this a retreat?

This is a hosted small-group travel experience through True North Expeditions. There are no coaching sessions, nervous system classes, or personal-development assignments.

We're going to read, explore Scotland, eat well, and enjoy ourselves.

Is this a witchy or woo-woo retreat?

No. There are no rituals, spiritual practices, required beliefs, or cosplay.

We'll read, explore Scotland, eat well, get cozy, laugh about our books, and occasionally stare dramatically across a misty loch.

You're welcome to believe whatever you believe. Nothing will be assumed or asked of you.

Do I need to come with a friend?

No. You can join independently. Our private group space and pre-trip gatherings will help you meet the women you'll be traveling with, and you'll have your own room throughout.

How physically demanding is the trip?

The plan includes walking around towns and historic sites, short viewpoint stops, and a longer optional walk at the Fairy Pools.

Uneven ground and wet conditions may affect the difficulty of any walk. Detailed walking requirements and available alternatives will be provided with the confirmed itinerary.

Please speak with me before booking if you have mobility or accessibility requirements so we can discuss the actual arrangements.

Bring proper walking shoes, rain gear, and layers regardless of the forecast.

Can I skip an outing?

Reading and downtime are part of the trip, and you aren't expected to join every optional activity.

Available alternatives will depend on where we are and the day's transportation arrangements. We'll explain those choices before each outing.

What happens if the weather changes our plans?

Scotland gets the final vote on Scotland.

Your host and local partners may change the order of outings, substitute a stop, or cancel an activity when weather, road conditions, or safety require it.

We'll preserve the spirit of the trip as closely as circumstances allow.

Why does the trip cost this much?

The estimate covers seven nights in private rooms, private group transportation, scheduled experiences, included meals, local professional support, and planning and hosting throughout the trip.

Those costs are shared across a small group. Keeping the group this small is part of what makes the experience work: fewer people, more flexibility, and a host who can pay attention to the actual women on the trip.

Is travel insurance required?

It's not required, but comprehensive travel insurance is strongly recommended.

When choosing a policy, review coverage for cancellation, interruption, delays, medical care, and evacuation, along with exclusions and eligibility requirements.

What is the cancellation policy?

Cancel more than 60 days before departure and there's no cancellation fee beyond standard card processing fees.

Within 60 days, refunds vary based on costs already committed on your behalf, with a minimum non-refundable amount equal to one-third of your booking.

If genuine extenuating circumstances arise, we'll work with you directly where possible, including the option to transfer your reservation to another approved guest.

Full terms are set out in the Participant Agreement.

What if the trip doesn't fill?

We need a minimum of four guests to run the trip and will make that decision 60 days before departure.

If the trip does not reach the minimum, your deposit will be fully refunded.

Is this connected to nervous system work?

It reflects the broader True North philosophy of making room to enjoy the life you've worked hard to build.

But you won't be attending nervous system classes in Scotland. This trip is about books, adventure, beautiful places, and having a really good time.

A stone causeway leading to Eilean Donan Castle

Your TBR pile is waiting.

The laundry, meetings, and messages will be here when you get home.

In the meantime, there are seven nights in Scotland, a room of your own, and time to find out whether those two emotionally constipated people finally communicate.

Place Your $500 Deposit

Your deposit applies toward your total trip price. Estimated investment: $7,500 per guest. Final pricing and your payment schedule will be provided before your next payment is due.

October 3–10, 2027 · Seven nights · Highlands + Isle of Skye · Small group