Thistle & Flame Retreat Pricing Explained
What your price includes
Your price covers your full six-night stay at Papple Steading (4–10 October 2027): your room, all meals and drinks throughout the retreat (Thistle & Flame is an alcohol-free retreat), and every facilitated experience in the programme, from the storytelling sessions to the guided days out. There are no activity fees, workshop charges, or surprise extras once you're with us.
Why room prices differ
Papple's rooms are genuinely different from one another, and prices reflect that rather than a one-size label. The two first-floor cottage rooms sharing a bathroom are our best-value rooms. The ensuite rooms in Grieve's Cottage and the Farmhouse sit at our standard price. The two private Bothies, each a whole cottage to yourself with sitting room and terrace, carry a premium. Every guest, whatever the room, receives the identical retreat.
Founding places
The first eight places on this retreat are founding places, priced $500 below the standard rate for that room. Founding pricing is limited by number, not by date: when the eighth founding place is taken, remaining rooms are offered at the standard rate.
Travelling solo
You're welcome to book a room to yourself, and there's a solo option at every price level: the shared-bathroom cottage rooms, the two ensuite rooms in Grieve's Cottage, and Shepherd's Bothy, a whole private cottage of your own. Single occupancy prices are shown alongside each room when you book.
Coming as a group?
If you're a party of three or more and would like to stay near one another, in the same cottage or wing where the rooms allow, contact us before booking and we'll help you plan the right combination of rooms.
Extend your journey
We also design bespoke private itineraries before or after the retreat, whether that's more of Scotland or elsewhere in the UK. Contact us if you'd like to explore this.
Deposit and payments
A fixed deposit of $1,000 per person secures your place. The balance is then collected in three equal instalments, due 150, 120, and 90 days before the retreat begins (final payment 6 July 2027). Your deposit is non-refundable, but if you cancel before your final balance date it converts to a credit toward a future Inside Story retreat, valid for 12 months.
Not included
Flights and travel to Papple Steading, airport transfers, travel insurance (required for all guests), and personal purchases are not included.
Cancellation
Full cancellation terms, including our graduated refund schedule and resale rebate, are set out in your Retreat Agreement, which you'll receive and sign as part of booking.
Haddington, UK 
