Eighteenth Century Studies events

Monday 18 May - Friday 22 May, 2026
Alexander House, Auchterarder, Perthshire PH3 1PW

The aim of the retreat is to provide staff and students with a structured programme to support intensive writing, followed by a more relaxed final day in which attendees are welcome either to relax or to continue working and writing in the lovely environs of Alexander House. 

The structured programme will be facilitated by Katie Halsey and Emma Macleod. Although there is no set word target for our retreat, we hope attendees will be able to use the time as an opportunity to make meaningful progress on individual writing projects in a supportive and comradely environment. 

Programme

Monday 18 May

17:00 onwards: Arrival, dinner preparations
19:00: Dinner
20:30: Welcome, introductions, and introduction to Generative Writing (Katie Halsey and Emma Macleod)

The retreat will be self-catered, so cooking and dishwashing will form an extra ‘team-building’ exercise (menus and ingredients will be organised in advance). 

Tuesday 19 May

08:00 to 09:00: Breakfast  
09:00 to 09:15: Getting Motivated (Emma Macleod)
09:15 to 12:30: Intensive writing time 
12:30 to 13:30: Lunch 
13:30 to 18:00: Intensive writing time 
19:00: Dinner 

Wednesday 20 May

08:00 to 09:00: Breakfast 
09:00 to 09:15: Staying Motivated (Emma Macleod)
09:15 to 12:30: Intensive writing time 
12:30 to 13:30: Lunch 
13:30 to 14:00: Looking forwards: editing your generative draft (Katie Halsey)
14:00 to 18:00: Intensive writing time 
19:00: Dinner

Thursday 21 May

08:00 to 09:00: Breakfast 
09:00 to 17:00: Writing
19:30: Celebration dinner, congratulations and R&R

Those who wish to use Thursday as a more relaxed day are welcome to do so.

Friday 22 May

Depart by 10:00 Friday morning.