Immerse Yourself in the Magic of Scotland with Choose Happy Travels run by Kate Shipp and Margie Katzke.

Join us for a transformative journey through Scotland’s breathtaking landscapes, ancient castles, and mystical places. This 12-day adventure offers a unique blend of exploration, relaxation, and personal growth. Whether you’re seeking outdoor adventure or deep inner connection, the Wild Spirit Scotland Retreat is designed to nourish your body, mind, and soul.

Itinerary Overview (subject to change):

  • May 29: Arrival in Edinburgh. Settle in and start soaking up the history and charm of this stunning city.
  • May 30: Explore Edinburgh with a private tour of its rich heritage, iconic sights, and hidden gems.
  • May 31: Embark on a Rabbie’s tour, traveling through the picturesque towns of Dunkeld, Hermitage, Pitlochry, and Spean Bridge, before arriving at our stunning home near Kyle of Lochalsh for six nights.
  • June 1-2: Full days on the Isle of Skye. Experience the magic of Skye with a mix of hikes, breathtaking castles, the Fairy Pools, Quiraing, Neist Point, and more.
  • June 3: A well-deserved rest day at our private retreat home. Enjoy the peace of the Highlands or take part in an optional yoga or meditation session.
  • June 4: A day exploring Plockton and Applecross, discovering the quaint charm and wild beauty of the Scottish coast.
  • June 5: Visit Eilean Donan Castle, Invermoriston, Loch Ness, Urquhart Castle, and Inverness. A day of legendary history and stunning views.
  • June 6: Travel to Armadale, take a scenic ferry to Mallaig, and relax at the Silversands Beaches, Camusdarach Beach, Loch Morar, and the iconic Glenfinnan Viaduct.
  • June 7: Explore Fort William, the dramatic landscapes of Glencoe, and Callander, before returning to Edinburgh.
  • June 8: A final day to enjoy the beauty and culture of Edinburgh.
  • June 9: Departure day – fly home feeling renewed, inspired, and deeply connected to the wild spirit of Scotland.

Optional Retreat Activities:

Throughout the retreat, you’ll have the option to engage in daily yoga, meditation, breathwork, nature walks, and private coaching with Kate Shipp and Margie Katzke. These offerings are designed to help you tap into the natural rhythms of Scotland and your own inner wisdom. For those who need extra downtime, you can always choose to relax at the house or explore on your own.

Pricing:

  • Cost: $5,500 per person

What’s Included:

  • All accommodations
  • All breakfasts
  • Entrance to chosen castle attractions
  • Private tour in Edinburgh
  • Full Rabbie’s tour of the Highlands and islands

What’s Not Included:

  • Airfare
  • Lunches and dinners
  • Personal expenses
  • Travel insurance (highly recommended)

Payment Options:

Secure your spot with a $500 nonrefundable deposit per person, with the total due by March 1, 2025. Payment plans are available, and we’ll ensure everything is set up smoothly for you.

This retreat offers a perfect balance of adventure and rest, with the chance to truly experience the soul of Scotland. If you have any questions or need further details, please feel free to reach out. This retreat will be a different experience from our previous one, with a focus on staying in one place for the week near Skye, allowing for a more grounded and immersive experience.

We can’t wait to journey with you to the wild spirit of Scotland!

Your Guides

Kate Shipp and Margie Katzke are the owners and operators of Choose Happy Travels, LLC. Together they craft a sense of adventure while helping you feel safe, supported & most of all happy! 

They are here to lead the way, bringing their adventurous spirits, warmth, and heart-centered leadership to every moment of the journey. Along with Rabbie’s expert guide, they’ll ensure this trip is filled with fun, meaningful connections, and plenty of opportunities to laugh, learn, and explore.

Why This Trip?

This isn’t just a tour—it’s a chance to embrace adventure, joy, and the magic of Scotland. Whether you’re looking for personal growth, new friendships, or simply the joy of discovering incredible places, this trip offers it all. You’ll leave with a heart full of memories, new friends by your side, and a deeper connection to the beauty and wonder of life.

About Kate and Margie

Kate Shipp

Kate Shipp is a trailblazing authentic life strategist with over 13 years of unwavering commitment to empowering women on their transformative journeys. As a modern-day mystic and wayshower, Kate passionately guides women to remember their wholeness and embody their holiness. She teaches women how to dismantle traumas, shatter limiting beliefs, and navigate the complexities of breaking free from a "good enough" life, inspiring them to step into their true potential and embrace their multifaceted brilliance.

Kate's methodology is grounded in faith-based practices, offering a spiritual foundation that brings safety, solace, and strength to each woman she encounters. Kate seamlessly blends yoga therapy, breath therapy, mysticism, and energy medicine to guide individuals through life's challenges. Nature becomes a companion in the journey, fostering a profound connection to the world and igniting a passion for growth. Setting and achieving goals across various life domains become catalysts for transformation, as women align with their deepest aspirations and pursue authentic freedom.

Guided by intuition and spiritual direction, Kate equips women to own their power, use their voice boldly and compassionately, and tap into their innate wisdom. Through energy management techniques and the ancient wisdom of yoga, she cultivates harmony within, supporting holistic well-being. Authentic freedom isn’t just an end goal for Kate; it’s a dynamic process of self-liberation, where women break free from past traumas and societal norms to embody their true selves. Kate Shipp isn’t just a guide; she’s a powerhouse catalyst for change, lighting the path for women to live authentically free.

Kate’s greatest joys lie in her role as a mother of two and the loving partnership she shares with her husband of over 20 years. Grounded in faith and fueled by a reverence for the magic found in everyday moments, Kate continues to inspire and uplift those she encounters on their journey towards healing and authentic freedom.

Kate Shipp is a Certified Yoga Therapist accredited by the International Association of Yoga Therapists. Kate holds an ERYT500 designation and serves as a continuing education provider with both IAYT and Yoga Alliance. Kate is also a Certified Breath Therapist with Integral Breath Therapy and a Reiki Master of two lineages. Kate has taken additional education courses on trauma-informed care with the HeartMath Institute, Embody Lab, as well as other trainings with lead educators in the neuroscience of trauma, PolyVagal Theory, parts work, somatics, and Christ-centered leadership. Kate also holds a B.S. in Marketing from Arizona State University.

Kate sees clients privately, teaches workshops, leads trainings, and offers mentoring, guiding individuals towards profound self-discovery and empowerment. Her impact transcends borders, as she hosts international retreats that nourish the soul and ignite personal growth. In 2022, Kate opened a trauma-informed, integrative wellness center, Live Well Training Center in Glendale, AZ, where she and 7 other providers support others in their journeys to thrive.

As an International Best-Selling author of “I Am Strong Enough Now God, Thanks: My Journey from Trauma to Truth,” Kate embodies resilience and authenticity, inspiring others to embrace their own journeys with courage and grace. She is the visionary founder of The Shipp MethodTM, a Christ-Centered holistic approach to wellness and transformation. Kate’s work in holistic trauma recovery is featured prominently in the award winning documentary “The Box: Out of the Impossible,” a journey of recovery from trauma and abuse.

Margie Katzke

Margie Katzke is a dedicated yoga teacher with a passion for promoting physical and mental well-being. With over 12 years of teaching experience, Margie has helped countless individuals find balance, strength, and inner peace through the practice of yoga.

What sets Margie apart is her commitment to supporting individuals with a trauma-informed lens. Margie believes in the power of connection to raise each other up. She also believes in the importance of doing our inner work to become the best version of ourselves.

Margie believes that yoga is not only a physical practice, but also a powerful tool for self-discovery and personal growth. Through extensive training and deep understanding of the body-mind connection, Margie guides students on a journey of self-exploration, helping them tap into their inner strength and resilience. Recognizing the transformative power of yoga, breathwork and body-based modalities, Margie has been working diligently to become certified in The Shipp Method of trauma recovery.

In Margie's classes, you can expect a compassionate and inclusive atmosphere where everyone is encouraged to explore their own unique practice. By incorporating breathwork, mindfulness, and gentle movement, Margie creates a space for individuals to release tension, reduce stress, and cultivate a greater sense of peace and balance. When she is not on her yoga mat, Margie is reading health and wellness books, hiking with her dog Louis, and spending quality time with friends and family.

Wild Spirit Scotland Retreat Registration