Held in Glasgow and Edinburgh

WORKSHOPS 
 

creative writing and meditation

creative writing and the four bodies: Divine Alchemy in synthesis

creative writing and the four elements

will and manifestation - working on the causal plane

creative writing and guided imagery

creative writing and the creative process

the tao of poetry

creative writing for healing and reprogramming the unconscious

realising your highest potential through creative writing

discovering and establishing a relationship with your muse through creative writing

creative writing as a vehicle of the antahkarana: going from the material to the spiritual

writing from polar opposites to their points of integration

creative writing and poetics

mastering traditional Japanese poetry forms

writing and synchronicity

creative writing from the five rhythms

creative writing and synaesthesia

creative writing to discover your life purpose

creative writing for self-empowerment and mastery

writing the drama of your life: dialoguing between the self, overself and subpersonalities
 

All workshops are adaptable into courses and facilitated in a holistic manner where the principle of synthesis of selfhood is stressed as both motive and aim.  These titles can also be explored on retreat in places of tranquillity and natural beauty on The Scottish west coast.
FORMAT
 

usually Saturdays

six hours long with lunch and tea breaks, eg 11am-6pm.  Briefing - writing - reading and critical feedback.
 

BOOKING AND COST

Call or e-mail to for latest programme.

from £35

Monthly day-long excursions to inspirational locations within and around Glasgow and Edinburgh  Cost: £25 (£20).  I also work with public and charitable organisations leading field trips.  I am generally available to facilitate such like trips at other times and in other places.

“The clearest way into the universe is through a forest wilderness”, said Scots-born John Muir, founder of America’s National Parks and father of modern ecology - and exactly the same applies to unspoilt coastlines, or ancient woodland trails, such as found on the many long and twisting miles of Argyll’s Atlantic coast.

We have at our disposal, courtesy of Mother Nature, the four elements (air, earth, fire, water), the four kingdoms, (mineral, vegetable, animal, human), and the four bodies (physical, emotional, mental and spiritual) to inspire us to reach potentially great creative heights amidst the beautiful settings and rarefied atmosphere of coastal Argyll.  It is not only a place to explore the outer geographical space of land, sea and sky, but a place to discover the riches of the inner space within the core of our own selves.  The two somehow have a way of opening each other up; you begin to see with new eyes and wellsprings arise up out of the depth of your soul.

Each retreat is begun with an inspirational briefing by the tutor and he is on-hand throughout the weekend for one-to-one consultation anytime.  There is time, and peace, to develop inspirations, take them to completion and finally share them in an appreciative and constructively critical listening space.
 
 
 

  - Writing with a Sense of Place  -

Argyll, Scotland

Monthly, I take a group from Friday evening to Sunday evening to West Loch Tarbert and other Argyllshire locations.  Cost: £100, inc of accomm, travel (from Glasgow) and tuition. 

I am generally available for facilitating retreats, both indoor-based and outward-bound 

The classes as they are create an ideal environment for anyone aiming to improve their writing  skills.  There is a constant supply of innovative exercises and a fair, and well-balanced critique.

LM
Borders
 

I find the classes really important to my development.  It’s good to touch base with a group of people all approaching the same thing from different angles.  The exercises are useful and stimulating. 

DW
Borders
 

Friendly atmosphere, variety, encouragement and helpful advice.  I look forward to Wednesdays.

VD
Glasgow West End Writers
 

Alistair is a great facilitator and his ease and sense of comfort is just what I needed to go into my writing.  Thanks you Borders for finding such a great teacher.

JH
Borders
 

I enjoy the classes tremendously.  I have been introduced to new styles of writing  and been encouraged with my own work.  The atmosphere is friendly and the class is an exciting forum to hear other writers.

AM
Borders

Totally worthwhile.  A professional and knowledgeable tutor.  Constructive criticism and positive feedback.  A unique concept held together by Alistair that brings out creative thoughts and inspiration.

DM 
Borders
 

As a regular attender of the Borders classes I feel these classes have helped me develop my writing and try out ideas which I would not have come up with on my own.

IS
Borders
 

Different, interesting, testing, enjoyable.

WA
Borders
 

Excellent support for potential authors.  Good sense of positive attitude towards each other’s work.

CA
Borders
 

This class has been extremely productive for me.  The atmosphere is very conducive to good and fulfilling writing, and to personal and group progress.  This is, in part, attributable to the ability of the tutor to facilitate very good triggers for writing, and to stimulate and encourage best methods of expression.

LJP
Borders
 

Very stimulating and enjoyable.  The wide variety of topics and friendliness of the atmosphere is very encouraging.

GH
Borders

The activities are useful and imaginative, sometimes very difficult to conceptualise which allows
for a lot of different  ways of approach, as will as different styles of writing.  Everyone very 
friendly and supportive of  one another.

LT
Borders
 

Very stimulating.  It's good to do rather than listen.  Also the hearing others' work is helpful.
A very worthwhile class.

IS
Borders
 

TESTIMONIALS for the Writing with a Sense of Place retreats

I find the most difficult aspects of writing is finding ideas.  Even with the time and opportunity provided, I still found it hard to get something to write about.  Possibly the experience of the writing weekend will have planted seeds that may provide material for use at a later date.  I did enjoy the few days.  The most interesting part for me was hearing what others had written.

Betty Maclean
Clydebank Writers' Group

I found the weekend most enjoyable and constructive.  I found myself looking at things from an entirely different point of view and I think  this was due to our tutor's own enthusiasm and knowledge of his subject which he passed on to the group.  I also enjoyed hearing everyone else's work and feel that I could write more on the subject now that there is no pressure to finish to a deadline.

Christina
Clydebank Writers' Group

A very enjoyable and interesting weekend.  The exercise on Saturday, a trip to McCaig's Folly, where we had to try and absorb the atmosphere of the whole area and later write about what feelings were stimulated and how the complete trip had inspired us.  That evening we met up to read our work.  Of course everyone had a different interpretation of the day.  The diverse writings were quite amazing.  Alistair gave useful criticism.  Most enjoyable.

Madge Laider
Clydebank Writers' Group

Most enjoyable weekend.  The opportunity to be amongst the like-minded people helped me with the writing.  The retreat is a wonderful idea and the benefit of having a tutor of such experience and enthusiasm was most welcome.

Jim Shanley
Drumchapel Writers' Group

Same a Jim, great weekend and look forward to doing it again.

Eddie Woods
Drumchapel Writers' Group

A most enjoyable experience, to spend time with like-minded people and be guided and encouraged by Alistair.  He tries to get us to look at ordinary things and events in an out-of-the-ordinary way.  To listen to our 'inner voice' and see things with our 'inner eye'.  Because of our group, and tutor, we are enabled to express what would otherwise lie dormant in our minds.

Claire McWilliams
Clydebank Writers' Group

TESTIMONIALS  for the Creative Writing and Meditation retreats

Accommodation excellent; setting magnificent.  Run with 'sensed' direction, guidance
received osmotically, atmospherically.  This was an enriching experience.  You leave
feeling "I was glad I was there".   There is a seamlessness a bout the rhythm of the retreat - up- breakfast - meditation -write - explore - pause - explore more - out for a meal - back for a fireside evaluation - bed.  Very sympathetically and helpfully run.

Ian Stuart
 

Great Idea, helpful on many levels and inspiring.

Jasmin Clark
 

Very relaxing, helped the creativity of my writing flow.  Amazingly enjoyable.  I look forward to coming again

Brian Ross
 

Most enjoyable.  Meditation opened up a whole new range of subjects to write about

Fiona Croesser
 
 
 

I run a training company called Prismatic Creativity Training, specialising, among many other things in Personal Development, Innovation Management, Emotional Intelligence and Creative Thinking.