Our story begins in 2018 with Andy’s bold proclamation: “I want to retire.” Angela, ever practical, replied, “And do what?” With all the confidence in the world, Andy said, “Faff about and fish.” After Angela regained consciousness from the sheer shock of it all, her brain kicked into gear, and the idea of a move to Scotland—and creating a wellbeing retreat—was born.

You see, the Highlands have always been Andy’s happy place. For over 50 years, he’s come here for peace, tranquillity, and a bit (okay, a lot) of fishing. His ancestors hailed from Blair Atholl, with some noble Warwickshire ties and, bizarrely, a sprinkle of Shakespearean connection—because who doesn’t want a poet in the family tree? Many of his descendants stayed rooted in the Highlands, and his father now rests peacefully on the Gualin Estate by the River Dhionard.

Angela’s ancestors? Well, that’s where things get spicy. With Irish roots that potentially trace back to a 5th-century warlord named Niall of the Nine Hostages, we’re pretty sure he wouldn’t have been big on yoga and mindfulness retreats. (“Meditate? I think not! Pass me a sword!”) But, hey—evolution, right?

So, with Angela’s brain buzzing with ideas and Andy’s fishing rods packed and ready, we set out to build something special. A retreat. A sanctuary. A little slice of Highland heaven where you can breathe, let go of the noise, and reconnect with yourself. For Andy, it was perfect—nature, fishing, and no meetings. For Angela, it was a chance to use her 20+ years of experience as a mental health practitioner (EMDR UK), Clinical Hypnotherapist, Cognitive Behaviour Therapist, and certified Personal Coach. If you’re battling the aftermath of narcissistic behaviours, Angela’s your gal. If you’re trying to figure out how to engineer something or want to know the best walks, definitely ask Andy.

Angela’s also spent years working on the UK’s largest Transformational Change programmes as a consultant. Translation: she knows how to fix problems, big or small. Meanwhile, Andy remains fully committed to following his passions, with active involvement as Chairman of West Sutherland Fisheries Trust and will always oblige if has a fishing rod in hand.

Together, we’ve built this retreat with love, laughter, and a healthy sense of humour. We wanted a space where others could experience the magic of the Highlands, let go of life’s worries, and maybe discover that faffing about isn’t so bad after all.

So here we are. Andy’s fishing. Angela’s helping people. And you? Well, we can’t wait to welcome you and share a little piece of our dream with you. Come faff about, recharge, craft and maybe fish a bit too. You’re going to love it here.

Charities and Good Causes - We’re passionate about supporting local causes and giving back to the community wherever we can. In 2023, we proudly reached our goal of raising £2,000 for Walking With The Wounded, a military charity helping veterans transition back into work. In 2024, our focus shifted closer to home—we raised £1,000 to purchase an additional defibrillator for Blairmore, a busy walking area with limited emergency provisions. As of August 2024, we’re thrilled to have achieved this goal and will continue fundraising to replace defibrillator pads as they expire.

Our Vision

To create a sanctuary where people can rediscover balance, embrace freedom, and reconnect with nature, themselves, and a sense of joy—offering a much-needed pause from the chaos of modern life.

Our Values (with a dash of fun)

Genuine – At Oldshoremore Retreats, we keep it real. Authenticity is our jam, so leave the filter at home and just be yourself. We’re all about honesty, originality, and living in the moment—no judgment, no pretense, and definitely no need for Instagram perfection (unless it’s of the Aurora Borealis, because, let’s be honest, that deserves it).

Freedom – Born from Andy’s desire to “faff about and fish” and Angela’s love of helping others (someone had to balance things out), we’re here to help you discover your freedom—whether that means climbing a hill, journaling by a loch, or staring into space and calling it meditation.

Nature – Let’s face it, the Highlands do a better job of “zen” than we ever could. If you’ve forgotten how to appreciate its beauty, don’t worry—we’ll gently remind you to look up, breathe deep, and maybe not scroll your phone for once. Bonus points if you spot the Aurora Borealis and actually gasp out loud.

Fun – We absolutely love what we do and, yes, fun is mandatory here. Whether it’s giggling at a fishing fail (Andy’s still recovering) or rediscovering joy in the little things, your adventure begins the second you arrive.

Resilience – Life can throw curveballs, but we’re here to help you grow stronger and bounce back. Think of us like your emotional spotters—we’ll help you find balance and build your inner strength, so life’s challenges feel more like puddles than bottomless lochs.

Collaboration – Around here, we believe in the magic of teamwork. Whether it’s sharing stories, cheering each other on, or just nodding sympathetically over a cup of tea, together we achieve more. You might even leave with a new friend (or at least someone to commiserate with about midges).

Affordability – We believe everyone deserves a bit of peace and tranquility without breaking the bank. If you’re expecting diamond-encrusted bathrobes and gold leaf toast, we’re probably not for you—but if you value a warm welcome, breathtaking scenery, and genuine care, you’re in the right place.

At Oldshoremore Retreats, we’re serious about helping you reconnect, rediscover, and recharge—but we don’t take ourselves too seriously. Life’s better when you’re laughing, after all.

History of our Oldshoremore Home and surrounding areas

Oh and did we mention we just love history so follow the link to watch a 1944 Film of NW Highland Crofters including a view of our house and grounds and the attached annexed cottage to the left as the Nurse goes to the Mackenzie family. The Mackenzie family had been tenanted Crofters /Owners of 152 Oldshoremore since the early 1900s until we purchased it from them in 2019.