Past retreats - October 2026

A Corporate Wellness Escape in the Scottish Highlands

An extraordinary setting. Shared experiences. Meaningful conversations. Lasting change.

Set against the breathtaking backdrop of the Scottish Highlands, Avandra Escapes hosted an unforgettable two-day corporate wellness retreat at the iconic Gleneagles estate in the Scottish Highlands, giving guests time away from their desks to focus on how they live.

At the heart of the retreat was our House of Resilience

These are our core five pillars for a healthier, happier and more resilient life. They are How We Eat, Move, Rest, Connect and Think.

Our wellness conversations focused on how small, achievable changes to everyday habits can have a big impact on long-term health. They were practical by design, encouraging guests to reflect on their own routines and find where the five pillars could fit in.

We brought the science of healthy ageing to life with interactive longevity tests, memory challenges and brain-body coordination exercises. These sparked plenty of laughter and a little healthy competition. They also showed why strength, cognitive function, balance and coordination matter more as we age.

Adventure and the Great Outdoors

With the Scottish landscape as our playground, we headed into the Highlands for a stunning guided hike through a glen, surrounded by sweeping hills and open skies. It was a chance to enjoy meaningful conversations, reconnect with nature and feel the restorative effect of spending time outdoors.

At the top, a delicious picnic was served from the back of Land Rovers. It was about as far from a meeting room as you can get, and a chance to slow down, share stories and enjoy good food together amongst spectacular scenery.

Back at Gleneagles, guests had time to recharge before the Avandra Padel Tournament at the Gleneagles Sporting Club. The friendly rivalry proved that movement doesn’t have to feel like exercise. Learning a new skill, rising to a challenge and enjoying the social side of sport all build lifelong physical and mental resilience.

The day ended with a fantastic dinner together, where guests reflected on the day and carried on the conversations it had started.

New Experiences, New Perspectives

Day two opened with another inspiring House of Resilience conversation. This time we looked at how daily choices shape our physical health, emotional wellbeing and long-term vitality.

We then split into two groups for two different but equally memorable experiences.

One headed out for clay pigeon shooting, which tested concentration, coordination and focus. It also showed the value of staying curious and stepping outside your comfort zone.

The other group travelled to Frandy Water for a lochside sauna and cold-water experience. Moving between the heat of the sauna and dips in the loch, guests tried contrast therapy, practised mindful breathing and pushed their personal limits.

For many guests, these were completely new experiences. There was a real sense of achievement and camaraderie as everyone encouraged each other to give them a go.

Bringing the House of Resilience to Life

Every part of the retreat is designed to connect back to the five pillars:

The hikes, padel and shooting celebrated the importance of movement
Our wellness conversations encouraged curiosity, reflection and a deeper understanding of our health
The beautiful Highland surroundings offered opportunities for rest and reconnection with nature
Shared meals, laughter, new challenges and unforgettable experiences strengthened the connections between guests

Rather than simply talking about wellbeing, we created opportunities to experience it.

Since the retreat, guests have told us they’re using the House of Resilience as a framework for more conscious choices about their health. For us, that’s what a successful corporate retreat is all about: bringing people together, inspiring positive change and creating experiences that continue to make a difference long after the retreat has ended.

Small actions. Repeated consistently. Lasting change.

What Our Guests Said

I had such a wonderful time at Avandra at Gleneagles. It was great to try new things and I particularly enjoyed doing the activities together as a group, mixing exercise with social interactions.

Everything was so well organised, and Niki was incredibly attentive, kind and thoughtful throughout. She really made the whole experience very special. I had a wonderful couple of days and came away feeling refreshed and so glad I’d taken part.

All the best,
Suzy

I genuinely couldn’t be more grateful to have been part of it. I’d never done anything quite like it before, and it was such a fantastic experience from start to finish.

What I enjoyed most was the whole experience and the opportunity to step away from everyday life for a couple of days, meet some lovely people, have some great chats finding out more about people’s lives and try things a little differently. The mix of activities, conversations, laughter and challenges made it really memorable. I particularly enjoyed the House of Resilience sessions and the reminder that looking after yourself doesn’t have to mean making huge changes, but simply being more mindful of the small things you do every day. It was a brilliant couple of days, and I came away feeling very positive and glad to have been part of it.

I really enjoyed all the activities and really resonated with your wellness talks. It was really good to have them reinforced and feel I was on the right path.

I had such a fab time at Gleneagles and really enjoyed the whole experience. It was a great mix of activities, challenges and interesting conversations with lots of laughs along the way!

You gave us plenty to think about particularly around health, wellbeing and the small changes we can make in everyday life. I definitely came away with lots of food for thought!

We had such a lovely group too and I think the fact that everyone got stuck into everything made it all the more enjoyable. Who knew I’d enjoy clay pigeon shooting so much! You did a brilliant job of bringing everyone together and making it fun, engaging and informative without it ever feeling too serious.

I had such a wonderful time at Avandra at Gleneagles. It was great to try new things and I particularly enjoyed doing the activities together as a group, mixing exercise with social interactions.

All the best,
Suzy

I genuinely couldn’t be more grateful to have been part of it. I’d never done anything quite like it before, and it was such a fantastic experience from start to finish.

I really enjoyed all the activities and really resonated with your wellness talks. It was really good to have them reinforced and feel I was on the right path.

I had such a fab time at Gleneagles and really enjoyed the whole experience. It was a great mix of activities, challenges and interesting conversations with lots of laughs along the way!

You gave us plenty to think about particularly around health, wellbeing and the small changes we can make in everyday life. I definitely came away with lots of food for thought!

Interested in Hosting Your Own Corporate Retreat?

Every Avandra corporate retreat is an invitation for your team to pause, reconnect and build healthier habits together.

Our bespoke retreats combine evidence-informed wellness education with exceptional locations, carefully chosen activities and shared experiences. Whether it’s a single wellness day or a multi-day residential retreat across the UK and beyond, we work with you to design an experience that builds connection, inspires healthier habits and supports lasting wellbeing at home and at work.

Every experience is individually designed to bring the House of Resilience to life in a way that’s engaging, accessible and right for your organisation.

Interested in a retreat for your team? Get in touch to start planning.

Contact Niki