SHETLAND ISLANDS
VAILA YOGA RETREAT
with Ali McGougan
Shetland Islands - Scotland
14th - 19th May 2026 - 5 Nights
Prices £795pp Private Room - £675pp Shared Room
(This is a women only retreat)
2026 will be my 3rd time on Vaila and it is a truly magical location to retreat to. It is an opportunity to ground, to breathe, to experience true quiet at the ends of the earth.
A private island on Shetland, Scotland, with its own water source, vegetable garden, wood fired sauna and yoga yurt. The sea is crystal clear and the house sits in the dip of a sheltered bay for swimming. The accommodation is an old, comfortable family house, with new beds and linen to give you complete comfort.
All food is freshly prepared by Kaye, a highly experienced chef. All vegetarian but designed to keep you full and energised, with many ingredients grown on the island in the extensive greenhouse and polytunnels. There is the option to have a juice & soup day if there is interest.
Your day will start with tea and quiet, followed by a two hour yoga session, where I weave pranayama, asana and guided meditation, using sound, oils and assists to ground on the earth and rise into the space, the extraordinary light and the elemental surroundings. I have been teaching yoga for 8 years and am currently studying Yoga Therapy with the Minded Institute, as I have a deep interest in how yoga can help with our health, both mental and physical.
What is included in this Shetland retreat?
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5 Nights all-inclusive accommodation
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Transfers from airport to shorebase by people carrier for the group -collection by boat at shorebase to Vaila.
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Guided hikes with catered picnics for walks
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Privately owned island
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All meals are included - and it is stunning vegetarian food with much grown in the extensive garden
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Barrel wood fired sauna
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Sea swimming and bird watching
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2 yoga sessions a day in a stunning yurt with sea views
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Meditation & Yoga Nidra in the evening
What’s not included
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Flights to Shetland (which are approx £400)
Pricing
£775 for 5 nights - Own Room
Sharing a room: £675
(only 1 shared bedroom available) for 5 nights.
Deposit £395 - balance to be paid 8 weeks before departure.
We will run the retreat for a minimum of 6, maximum of 8 (there are 7 bedrooms) so 8 means 2 friends sharing a large room with 2 double beds. The bathrooms are not en-suite but shared on each floor.
Bookings
For further details and to book this event please email via the link below:
Ali McGougan
Ali has taught yoga in West Sussex since 2017. She is currently studying yoga therapy at the Minded Institute in London, as she believes strongly in the therapeutic effect of yoga for everyone.
Years of teaching all ages and abilities has allowed Ali to really see the individual on the mat, creating accessibly yoga for each person.
On retreat, Ali combines this client-centred approach with carefully sequenced asana, breathwork and meditation practice, to enable each person to feel both nurtured and challenged over the 4 days, while allowing space and time for stillness and deep relaxation.
ABOUT THE RETREAT
Depending on the weather, breakfast follows then a walk to the ocean side of the island, where we will bring a picnic lunch to a grassy cliff top where we have spotted sea otters, orcas and puffins depending on the time of year. Some days we will have a later brunch to give you the longer day to walk, swim, sauna or relax in the walled garden
Each afternoon there will be mindfulness & breathwork session in the yurt to explore tools to deepen your home practice. There will also be the opportunity to workshop asana to iron out any questions you may have about your physical practice.
The evening practice will be 90 minutes of restorative and Yin yoga. The yurt has sheepskin rugs, warm tartan blankets and a large woodburning stove. Often we end this session with time absorbing the view of the setting sun over the sea in silence, before gathering for another delicious vegetarian supper in the conservatory.
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We will run the retreat for a minimum of 6, maximum of 8 (there are 7 bedrooms) so 8 means 2 friends sharing a large room with 2 double beds.
ABOUT VAILA
Vaila is an island in Shetland, Scotland, lying south of the Westland peninsula of the Shetland Mainland. It has an area of 327 hectares, and is 95 metres (312 ft) at its highest point. At various times of year it is possible to see Orcas, Puffins and sea otters. There are some Shetland ponies in the island and some of the island is grazed with cattle and sheep. The island was bought by its current owner in 2020, who is keen to share this extraordinary landscape with retreats and art groups.
Our accommodation for this retreat consists of:
A Main Hall: The large main hall with minstrel gallery and beautiful stained-glass windows is an area which can be used for dining and in the evening with the warming glow of the large open fire is a lovely area for group yoga/mediation/activities
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Conservatory: A light sunny, south facing room with views of the garden and watch tower. This area is used for dining and general communal recreation and relaxing, with refreshment making facilities.
Library: A quiet, comfortable area with a selection of books and board games
Wi-Fi: There are two Wi-fi systems which extend throughout the house, with varying band strength depending on location.
Bedrooms and Bathrooms: All beds are fitted with quality white linen, woollen throws and an electric blanket. Bottled drinking water from our charcoal filtered island supply will be available in your room and the conservatory
HOW TO BOOK
For further details and booking please email Ali by clicking below: info@theyogagarden.co.uk
