The Retreat Scotland

2–7 September 2027

Edinburgh • Highland Perthshire • Loch Lomond

The Retreat: Scotland

Ancient castles. Private palaces. Highland whisky. Extraordinary magic. And a few unforgettable days among friends.

Join us for a Retreat unlike any we've created before, deep in the spectacular landscapes of Scotland, where ancient forests meet the River Tay, royal palaces open their doors, and centuries-old castles cling dramatically to the cliffs.

After sell-out Retreats around the world, we're heading somewhere altogether different. Your Scottish adventure begins in Edinburgh, with an extraordinary private evening inside Edinburgh Castle, before we journey north into the heart of Perthshire.

There, Dunkeld House, a magnificent country estate set within 280 acres of woodland on the banks of the River Tay, becomes our private Highland home. Over the days that follow, Scotland unfolds around us: castles and royal palaces, falconry and whisky, spectacular landscapes, remarkable dining, and special access to places most visitors never experience.

And then, of course, there's the magic. Some of the most memorable moments of a Vanishing Inc. Retreat happen when the day's adventures are over, the whisky comes out, a deck of cards appears, and some of the finest magicians in the world suddenly have nowhere else they need to be.

Throughout the journey, you'll be joined by the Vanishing Inc. team, led by co-founders and world-class magicians Andi Gladwin and Joshua Jay, giving you extraordinary access to their magic, thinking, and expertise.

This isn't a convention. It isn't a tour. It's Scotland, magic, and friendship—experienced the Vanishing Inc. way.

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A stag in the Scottish Highlands
Edinburgh Castle above the city skyline
Dunnottar Castle on its dramatic North Sea headland
Highland cows in the Scottish countryside

Edinburgh to Highland Perthshire

The Retreat Experience

Day 1 · 2 September

A Night at Edinburgh Castle

The Retreat begins in spectacular fashion in the heart of Edinburgh, one of Europe’s most beautiful and atmospheric capitals.

Perched high above the city on its ancient volcanic rock lies Edinburgh Castle. This legendary fortress has stood at the centre of Scottish history for almost a thousand years. Tonight, it becomes ours. We’ll enjoy an exclusive private visit, including a special viewing of the magnificent Honours of Scotland—Scotland’s Crown Jewels and some of the oldest royal regalia in Europe.

Then, as darkness falls over Edinburgh and the city lights begin to sparkle below, we gather within the walls of the Castle for a sumptuous private dinner. Prosecco on arrival. A three-course feast in the most magical of settings.

An extraordinary first night and quite a way to say: Welcome to Scotland.

Day 2 · 3 September

Castles, Clifftops & the Highlands

Today we leave Edinburgh behind and head north into a Scotland of wild coastlines, ancient fortresses, and spectacular Highland scenery.

Our first stop is breathtaking Dunnottar Castle, dramatically marooned on a rocky headland high above the crashing North Sea. With sheer cliffs on three sides and centuries of history within its ruined walls, it is one of the most spectacular castles anywhere in Scotland.

From the coast, we journey deep into the beautiful Perthshire Highlands and arrive at our home for the next four nights: Dunkeld House Hotel. Set within 280 acres of woodland on the banks of the River Tay, this magnificent country estate gives us our own corner of the Scottish Highlands for the Retreat.

Settle in. Explore the grounds. Take in the views. Then we come together for dinner and our first night at Dunkeld as The Retreat experience continues.

Day 3 · 4 September

Into the Enchanted Forest

This morning we step straight into a Scottish storybook.

We begin in The Hermitage, an extraordinary woodland of towering Douglas firs, ancient paths, and tumbling waterfalls. Our walk takes us beneath some of Britain’s tallest trees to the spectacular Black Linn Falls, where the River Braan crashes through the rocks below.

From there, we make our way into the historic village of Dunkeld, sitting on the banks of the River Tay, for lunch at The Taybank, its legendary riverside pub and music venue. There’s time afterwards to wander through the village before returning to Dunkeld House for an afternoon entirely at your own pace.

And when evening arrives, we come together again. Dinner. Friends. And an incredible night of magic.

Day 4 · 5 September

The Highland Life

Today, there’s nowhere else we need to be. The entire day unfolds within our beautiful private world at Dunkeld House, beginning with a leisurely breakfast followed by a very special magic session with the group.

After lunch, Scotland comes to us. We head onto the estate for an unforgettable falconry experience, getting remarkably close to magnificent birds of prey and experiencing the thrill of flying them ourselves against the backdrop of the Perthshire countryside.

Then it’s time to indulge in two great Scottish traditions: afternoon tea, followed by an exclusive whisky tasting, exploring some exceptional single malts and the stories behind them.

And after dark? We have a few surprises planned. A night of mystery awaits.

Day 5 · 6 September

In the Footsteps of Kings

Our final full day takes us into the heart of royal Scotland.

After breakfast, we make the journey to magnificent Scone Palace, one of the most important historic sites in the country and the legendary crowning place of the Kings of Scotland.

But this isn’t an ordinary experience. We’ll enjoy a private visit with William Lord Stormont, before sitting down to lunch within this remarkable historic setting.

Savour your final few hours in the Highlands before one final night of magic brings an extraordinary few days together to a close.

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Magic Talent

The Retreats are all about access. The chance to spend quality time with some of our community's finest luminaries—to see master magicians perform, then lecture, and then spend days exploring Scotland alongside them. You'll share meals, castles, and one-of-a-kind experiences with our guest performers, and gain a true understanding of their unique approach to the craft.

Guest artists

  • Nick Einhorn
  • Marc Paul
  • Joe Barry
  • Andrew Frost

You'll travel and dine with performers and the Vanishing Inc. team, including co-founders Andi Gladwin and Joshua Jay. Rather than rushing between lectures and shows, the focus is on meaningful time together—sharing ideas, exploring remarkable destinations, and experiencing magic in extraordinary settings.

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An intimate magic session during a previous Vanishing Inc. Retreat

Nick Einhorn

Nick Einhorn is one of the UK’s most accomplished close-up magicians, combining exceptional technical skill with decades of real-world performing experience.

A Gold Star member of The Inner Magic Circle, Nick is a three-time winner of The Magic Circle’s Close-up Magician of the Year competition and was named its first-ever Centenary Close-up Magician in 2005. He also represented the UK at the FISM World Championships of Magic, winning second place in Micro Magic.

Nick famously fooled Penn & Teller on Penn & Teller: Fool Us, earning an invitation to perform in their Las Vegas show. He is also a prolific author whose books on magic have sold more than one million copies worldwide.

Elegant, ingenious, and relentlessly practical, Nick has earned a reputation as one of the most respected performers and thinkers in British close-up magic.

Marc Paul

Marc Paul is one of Britain’s leading mentalists, with a career spanning more than three decades of performing, creating, and exploring the art of mind reading.

He has appeared extensively on British television, including Parkinson, The History of Magic, The Weakest Link, Equinox, and Paul McKenna’s Paranormal World, as well as starring in his own 16-part television series, Mind Games.

Behind the performances lies an extraordinary depth of knowledge. Marc has spent his career refining direct, powerful mentalism designed for real audiences, combining psychology, influence, and deception with wonderfully clear thinking.

For magicians interested in mentalism that works outside the pages of a book, Marc brings an enormous amount of experience to The Retreat.

Joe Barry

Joe Barry has developed a formidable reputation among serious card magicians for magic that is technically sophisticated, deeply deceptive, and refreshingly direct.

Originally from Stoke-on-Trent, Joe immersed himself in card magic from an early age, developing a particular fascination with gambling techniques, sleight of hand, and subtle methods that make impossible effects appear completely effortless.

His acclaimed Inscrutable projects introduced his work to a wider international audience, alongside a series of limited-edition publications exploring his distinctive approach to cards.

Joe is very much a magician’s magician—someone whose methods, thinking, and extraordinary command of a deck are every bit as fascinating as the effects themselves.

Andrew Frost

Andrew Frost has emerged as one of the most exciting voices in contemporary card magic, combining formidable sleight of hand with comedy, theatre, and an unusually natural performing style.

His debut solo show, Cards on the Table, sold out its run at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe before transferring to New York. His follow-up, The Greatest Card Magician in the World, went on to further acclaimed runs and a UK tour.

Away from his own shows, Andrew has worked alongside some of the biggest names in modern magic. He toured with Derren Brown on Showman and has worked with David Blaine as a sleight-of-hand coach and magic consultant.

His work has earned remarkable praise from his peers. Derren Brown calls him “a brilliant magician,” while David Blaine describes him simply as “a phenomenon.”

Andrew represents a new generation of card magic—technically exceptional, funny, contemporary, and obsessed with making difficult sleight of hand look like nothing happened at all.

Share the journey

A Retreat for Magicians and the People Who Love Them

What makes The Retreat: Scotland truly special is that it isn't just for magicians—it's thoughtfully designed with spouses and partners in mind. This is one of the few magic gatherings where guests are genuinely encouraged to bring their loved ones along and share the experience together. Days are filled with castles, ancient woodland, falconry, and royal history—all meant to be shared. And each evening, we gather for unforgettable performances and moments of wonder that everyone can enjoy, whether you've practised magic for years or are simply here for the magic of the moment.

Flavours of Scotland

Scotland's extraordinary food and drink will be an experience in its own right throughout the Retreat. From a private dinner within the historic walls of Edinburgh Castle to salmon fresh from the River Tay, game from the surrounding Highland estates, and a guided tasting of Scotland's finest whiskies, every stop brings another taste of the country.

At Dunkeld House, expect elegant dining in The Stag, the estate's wood-panelled, AA Rosette-winning restaurant, complete with antler chandeliers and sweeping views across the grounds, alongside sublime afternoon tea and a superb collection of Scottish malts.

Beyond the estate, we'll enjoy carefully chosen dining experiences including lunch at The Taybank in picturesque Dunkeld village and lunch within the magnificent surroundings of Scone Palace.

With breakfast and most meals included throughout the Retreat, we've taken care of the reservations, menus, and logistics. From castle dinners and Highland feasts to whisky, high teas, and memorable local discoveries, this is Scotland served in style.

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A beautifully presented dessert at Cameron House
Scottish seafood served overlooking Loch Lomond

Scotland served in style

Your Homes in Scotland

Edinburgh: Radisson Collection Hotel, Royal Mile (1 night)

We begin in the very heart of Edinburgh's historic Old Town, just moments from the Royal Mile and beneath the imposing walls of Edinburgh Castle. Our first night provides the perfect introduction to Scotland, with centuries of history, atmospheric cobbled streets, and some of the capital's most celebrated landmarks right outside the door.

And this is no ordinary arrival night. The Retreat begins with an exclusive private visit to Edinburgh Castle, including a private viewing of the Honours of Scotland—the Scottish Crown Jewels—followed by dinner within the castle itself.

Dunkeld House Hotel, Perthshire (4 nights)

From the capital, we escape into the Scottish countryside for four nights at Dunkeld House Hotel, a magnificent country estate hidden within 280 acres of ancient woodland on the banks of the River Tay.

This is quintessential Scotland: sweeping lawns, towering trees, rushing water, and Highland scenery, with the charming village of Dunkeld just minutes away. Elegant rooms and suites overlook the gardens and woodland, while the estate offers everything from falconry and fishing to countryside pursuits, alongside a full spa and heated indoor pool.

  • Four nights on a private 280-acre Scottish estate
  • Spectacular setting directly on the River Tay
  • AA Rosette dining at The Stag
  • Falconry, fishing, and traditional country pursuits
  • Full-service spa and heated indoor pool
  • The perfect base for Highland Perthshire
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Dunkeld House Hotel beside the River Tay
The grand wood-panelled interior of Dunkeld House Hotel
The Orangery at Dunkeld House Hotel

Optional two-night add-on

7–9 September

Extend the Magic: Cameron House, Loch Lomond

Not ready to go home when the Retreat ends? Neither are we.

For those who want to keep the magic going, we have created a spectacular two-night extension to Loch Lomond, staying at the magnificent Cameron House—one of Scotland's most celebrated luxury resorts. An AA Five Red Star resort occupying one of Scotland's most spectacular settings, it sits directly on the shores of Loch Lomond.

Set within 400 acres of pristine wilderness, Cameron House combines the romance of a grand Scottish baronial castle estate with the indulgence of a world-class resort. It is grand, glamorous, and wonderfully atmospheric—the perfect finale to our Scottish adventure.

We'll experience Loch Lomond from the water on a cruise, enjoy exceptional dining overlooking the loch, unwind in the resort's luxury pool and spa, raise a glass as the sun disappears behind the mountains, and have something that can be surprisingly rare on a Retreat: time. Time to relax. Time to explore. Time for long conversations and drinks with friends in an extraordinary setting.

Think of it as the encore to the Retreat—two more nights, one extraordinary Scottish loch, and a finale you may be very glad you didn't miss.

Space is limited for the Extend the Magic add-on, and early booking is essential.

Cameron House on the banks of Loch Lomond
Cameron House and Loch Lomond seen from above at sunset
The islands and Highland mountains of Loch Lomond

Day 6 · 7 September

Extend the Magic

For our main Retreat guests, today we say our farewells. But for those joining Extend the Magic, Scotland has one more extraordinary chapter waiting.

We leave Dunkeld and journey west towards Loch Lomond. Waiting on its shores is Cameron House. Our five-star baronial castle retreat on the banks of Loch Lomond becomes home for the next two nights. Condé Nast Traveller UK has listed it as one of the top five resorts in Europe—and when you arrive, you’ll immediately see why.

Check in, exhale, and settle into an entirely different rhythm. The adventure isn’t over. It’s simply changed pace.

Day 7 · 8 September

Life on Loch Lomond

No alarms. No rushing. No packed sightseeing schedule. Today is about enjoying one of Scotland’s most spectacular places exactly as it should be enjoyed.

We’ll take to the water for a cruise across Loch Lomond, weaving between its islands and taking in the mountains and forests surrounding one of Britain’s most legendary stretches of water.

Back at Cameron House, the rest of the day is about indulgence. Exceptional dining overlooking the loch. Time in one of the UK’s finest spas. Drinks on the terrace as the sun begins to disappear behind the mountains.

It’s a day for long lunches, great conversations, old friends, new friends, and simply enjoying the magic of being here.

Day 8 · 9 September

Until the Next Adventure…

One final breakfast overlooking Loch Lomond. One last chance to take in the view. Then it’s time to check out of Cameron House and begin the journey home, bringing our Scottish adventure to a close.

Ancient castles. Private palaces. Highland estates. Whisky, falcons, forests, and lochs. Extraordinary magic. And a Scotland few visitors ever get to experience.

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Friends sharing an experience during a previous Retreat
Retreat guests enjoying time together

Why the Retreat?

Because this isn't just another magic convention—it's a journey that keeps people coming back year after year. Many of our attendees are repeat guests who've become like family, drawn not just by the magic but by the deep sense of community, inspiration, and shared adventure that defines every Retreat.

What our guests love most is total immersion in a new destination, without any of the planning headaches. From the moment you arrive to the moment you leave, everything is thoughtfully arranged—no logistics, no reservations, no directions to worry about. You just enjoy.

Guests also tell us the friendships made at the Retreat are unlike anywhere else. The intimate setting fosters instant connections, and many discover that when they later attend other conventions and magic events, they already have a ready-made circle of friends waiting for them.

Photos Provided

We'll have a photographer on hand throughout the Retreat—from Edinburgh Castle to falconry on the estate and the final evening. Every moment is documented, so you can relive the experience long after you return home. It's completely included in your package.

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What's Included in Your Package

From the moment you arrive in Edinburgh, the accommodation, experiences, transport, and special access have been thoughtfully arranged so you can simply enjoy the journey.

2–7 September

The Retreat

  • 1 night’s accommodation at the Radisson in Edinburgh
  • 4 nights’ accommodation at Dunkeld House Hotel
  • Breakfast and select meals, including a private dinner at Edinburgh Castle, lunch at The Taybank, and lunch at Scone Palace
  • Intimate performances and magic sessions with world-class magicians
  • Private entry to Edinburgh Castle, including an exclusive viewing of the Honours of Scotland, and entry to Dunnottar Castle
  • Visit to The Hermitage
  • Falconry experience on the Dunkeld estate
  • Traditional afternoon tea and an exclusive whisky tasting
  • Private visit to Scone Palace
  • Farewell dinner
  • All ground transportation between destinations
  • Airport transfers
  • Professional photography throughout the Retreat
  • Exclusive Retreat gift set

7–9 September

Extend the Magic Add-On

  • Scenic transfer from Dunkeld to Loch Lomond
  • 2 nights’ accommodation at Cameron House
  • Private cruise on Loch Lomond
  • All ground transportation during the add-on experience

You are responsible for flights, some meals or drinks not specified in the programme, and gratuities for guides and drivers. All guests are required to have travel insurance.

All itinerary elements are subject to change and may be substituted for other activities.

Pricing

The Retreat

Magician & partner$6,795 p/p
Magician (single)$8,895

Extend the Magic

Magician & partner$3,895 p/p
Magician (single)$4,895
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Frequently Asked Questions

Destination photography is illustrative. All itinerary elements are subject to change and may be substituted for other activities.

Limited spaces available

Join Us in Scotland

Ancient castles. Highland estates. Whisky, falcons, forests, and lochs. Extraordinary magic, and a Scotland few visitors ever get to experience.

Pay in full or choose easy instalments during registration.

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