Immerse yourself
The Dell is a beautiful, creative and versatile space to host a retreat or event of any kind. We love to fill our Tipi space in the woods with creative workshops, foot stomping gigs and beautiful supper clubs beneath the pines, check out our line up below and catch something interesting during your holiday.
Do get in touch if you're considering bringing your own event to the Dell.
The Dell is right in the heart of the Cairngorms and on the edge of the Abernethy Forest the Dell is a peaceful place with great access to true wilderness. Accommodation is versatile and our studio space is set within the forest in our Scandinavian Tipi.
We make sure your guests have the environment that allows them to relax and gain the most from the retreat and we also have a couple of fantastic recommendations for catering.
View Workshops by Season
Autumn 2026
Soundscape meditation walk
1 Sep - 30 Nov
Anytime
£20
Music has been our true tonic over the last little while and we have built a stack of our 'Woodland Wireless' playlists on Spotify to form a connection with the woods, even when you're not able to visit.
Soundscape draws from this library, carefully selecting tracks that stir us and resonate with the landscape surrounding us to take us on a meditative musical journey into the deeper, more hidden trails surrounding the Dell.
Each walk takes around an hour and will be punctuated with birdsong interludes and hot cups.
Only requirements are Premium Spotify account, good headphones and some sturdy footwear.
This is available all year round.
Gather Inn - our weekly Friday pub night
1 Sep - 30 Nov
5 - 10pm
Our favourite night is back! The Gather Inn will be opening again from Friday 3rd April and we personally can't wait.
A space for you to unwind on a Friday evening and kick off your weekend in the right way
The tipi has always been the perfect space for gathering and enjoying a drink around the fire, but to top it off we will be joined (most Fridays) by 'Highland Slice' serving up tasty pizzas and Rik's kitchen with their delicious plant based Asian inspired offerings. You can pre-order with both Highland Slice and Rik's kitchen from the Monday prior from 9am, just follow the links on our Instagram or Facebook pages.
We don't take table bookings for the Gather Inn, just turn up, we have plenty of seats inside and out, kids welcome until 8pm. A friendly reminder that if you're coming with kids, please keep them supervised at all times, particularly on the play area.
The Gather Inn will NOT be running on the following dates:
12th June and 25th September
We hope to see you there sometime x
Will Hamer Supper Club
10 Oct
Outdoor cooking, reimagined — brought back to its simplest, most natural form, where ingredients meet the embers.
The Wilder Kitchen is more than a way of cooking; it’s about eating well, slowing down, and making the connection with nature.
To book please email info@thewilderkitchen.co.uk
Pauli Pocket Eats Mexican Fiesta
24 Oct
Pauline & Lindsay will be cooking up a feast full of bold flavours and vibrant sharing plates taking you on a journey through Mexico with a nod to our amazing Highland produce. They will be joined by local story teller & author of cookbook 'The Native Mexican Kitchen'. Rachel will take you on a journey into Mexican cuisine, culture & mezcal!
Gather for an evening of long table feasting with new & old friends
To book email hello@paulipocketeats.com
Cheese Making and Food Retreat with Kristen Allan
2 - 6 Nov
from £1095
Cheesemaking, seasonal cooking, long lunches and a slow week in the Cairngorms.
Join cheesemaker Kristen Allan at The Dell for a week immersed in good food, slow cheesemaking and the beautiful landscape of the Cairngorms. Over the course of the week, you’ll make a variety of cheeses from scratch, from fresh cheeses and mozzarella to more traditional, longer-aged styles, while discovering the craft, traditions and simple pleasures of making food by hand. You’ll have plenty of cheese to enjoy during the week and take home with you, too.
There will be plenty of time in the kitchen, but this is no cookery school. Days will unfold at a relaxed pace, with long lunches around the table, seasonal suppers, walks through the forest, time to swim or explore, and plenty of space to simply slow down.
If you’re familiar with Kristen’s workshops, you’ll know she’s passionate about using the whole of the milk. Throughout the week, you’ll cook delicious food incorporating everything we make, from curds to whey. Think rich tomato sugo, venison ragù bianco, polenta with wild mushrooms and buttermilk farmers cheese, whey sodas and focaccia made with whey, alongside mozzarella, burrata, stracciatella, butter, yoghurt and fresh cheeses.
Expect generous tables, good conversation, fireside evenings and the occasional glass of something lovely. A week to learn, make, eat and enjoy the simple rhythm of life in the Highlands.
Suitable for: anyone who loves good food and enjoys making it — from absolute beginners to passionate home cooks and experienced chefs. No previous cheesemaking experience is needed; just come ready to cook, learn, eat and slow down. Get in touch to book
Winter 2026
Ski Touring Retreat with Beyond Fitness
5 - 8 Feb
from £875
Husband and wife team Kim and Alex host a 3 day ski touring retreat at the Dell exploring the best backcountry skiing the Cairngorm National Park has to offer. On snow adventure is complimented by off snow learning to develop your personal ski touring skills and mountain awareness to leave you more confident about venturing out on your own or stepping up to your next winter challenge.
Everything is taken care of from accommodation and meals to guiding and teaching so you can relax at the Dell and enjoy the mountains.
Between them Kim and Alex have over 25 years experience leading groups skiing on and off piste in Europe and Scotland. When they aren't skiing Kim runs yoga and fitness retreats and Alex runs a smallholding with his brother.
Please get in touch for more information or if you would like to book with Kim.
Spring 2027
Sorry. There are no workshops scheduled at this point in the year.
Summer 2027
Sorry. There are no workshops scheduled at this point in the year.
Treat someone to an experience at the Dell
If you have stayed at the Dell or simply like the look of what we do here you can now pass it on by way of a voucher.
Gift Vouchers
Whether it be a romantic break, a weekend yoga retreat, a fire pit session or a bottle of wine on arrival, allow us to look after this for you.
Keep in touch?
We'll let you know when we add new workshops and dates to the calendar.