fantasy reading retreat for women and nonbinary readers
welcome to the
readers
quadrant
A Fourth Wing-Inspired Retreat in the Scottish Highlands
May 27-30, 2027 • Atholl Palace, Pitlochry, Scotland
Limited to 30 guests
Dragons, quests, late-night yap
sessions about Xaden Riorson,
and a castle full of readers
who are just as obsessed as you are.
Maybe your group chat doesn't understand why you've spent the last three years emotionally attached to fictional dragon riders. Maybe you've tried explaining the significance of that throne scene to someone who absolutely did not ask. Maybe you've finished a book at 2am and desperately needed someone to scream about it with.
We get it.
So we're taking over a castle in the Scottish Highlands and filling it with other readers who get it too.
For four days, you'll step away from normal life and into something that feels a little bit like falling into the pages of your favorite fantasy series. You'll explore the Highlands. Attend book clubs with your squad. Dress for themed dinners. Debate theories over drinks. Stay up too late talking about Violet’s second signet and a cat named Broccoli.
And somewhere between the dragons, yaps, excursions, and theories, you'll probably leave with something even better: your own little found family.
registration info
Registration will open first with early bird pricing to members of the Found Family Club, before opening to our email list.
Registration times are as follows:
Membership Community: Tuesday, August 25, 2026 at 12pm ET
Email List: Tuesday, August 25, 2026 at 2pm ET
If tickets are not sold out, they will be made available to the public at full price on Wednesday, August 26, 2026.
scotland’s answer to
basgiath
If we were going to build our own Rider’s Quadrant, this is where we would do it.
For four days, Atholl Palace becomes our home. Tucked into the Scottish Highlands in the charming town of Pitlochry, this destination feels appropriately magical for a retreat dedicated to dragons, riders, rebellion, and found family.
at a glance
4 Days/3 Nights
Our longest reading retreat yet.
Scottish Highlands
Atholl Palace in Pitlochry, Scotland
Fourth wing-inspired
For readers who dream of bonding a dragon
30 readers
An intimate group of women and nonbinary people
WHAT BOOKS ARE WE DISCUSSING?
the empyrean series by rebecca yarros
Maybe these are the books that got you back into reading as an adult, maybe they introduced you to the romantasy genre, or maybe you read them and they altered the course of your life so much that you decide to open a reading retreat company just so you could meet more people to talk about them with…not like we’re speaking from experience…or anything…
However these books showed up in your life, there’s one thing we know for sure: you’ll talk about them to anyone who will listen. So, here we are, hosting a retreat for you and the rest of the readers who not only want to hear your thoughts and theories, but offer some of their own.
This event is independently organized and is not affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by the author or publisher.
the itinerary
THURSDAY — DAY ONE
Conscription Day
Your journey begins at Atholl Palace, where you'll check in, settle into your room, and meet your fellow riders during our Welcome Hour. We'll officially kick off the retreat over dinner together at the palace before putting your Empyrean knowledge to the test with The Scribe Quadrant, aka our Fourth Wing trivia night. Then it's time to settle in, explore the castle, and get to know the people you'll be spending the next four days adventuring through Scotland with.
FRIDAY — DAY TWO
Quest Day
Wake up in the Scottish Highlands and join us for breakfast at Atholl Palace before choosing your adventure for the morning. If you're craving something slow and scenic, join us for a nature walk through the Highlands. Or, if you've ever wondered whether you'd actually survive the Riders Quadrant, take on The Gauntlet: a canyoning excursion with The Canyoning Company featuring waterfalls, natural rock slides, jumps, and the rugged Scottish landscape.
We'll reunite back at Atholl Palace for lunch before spending the afternoon doing what we came here to do: reading. Find a cozy corner of the castle, curl up in one of the lounges, or take your book outside and read against the backdrop of the Highlands.
Later, we'll gather for a Craft + Yap, where you'll make a bookish keepsake while chatting with your fellow readers, before getting ready for one of our favorite nights of the retreat. Wear your flight leathers for a Fourth Wing-inspired dinner at the palace, followed by book club and plenty of passionate opinions about dragons, riders, and whether or not Violet and Xaden make a good couple.
SATURDAY — DAY THREE
Squad Day
After breakfast at the palace, we're heading into Pitlochry for a leisurely morning exploring the charming Highland town together. Wander through local shops, hunt for Scottish treasures and souvenirs, grab a coffee, and explore at your own pace before we head back to Atholl Palace for lunch.
The afternoon is intentionally slow. Grab your book and find your favorite reading spot around the palace before joining us for another themed activity with the group.
That evening, we'll gather for dinner followed by our final book club of the retreat. Then comes one of our favorite Forest & Fawn traditions: book signing. Everyone will pass their books around the room for fellow readers to sign, yearbook-style, leaving you with a book filled with messages, inside jokes, and notes from the people you spent the weekend with.
SUNDAY — DAY FOUR
Graduation Day
We'll spend our final morning together over breakfast at Atholl Palace before heading upstairs to pack our bags and somehow figure out how four days went by that quickly.
Before we leave, we'll gather one last time for our Closing Circle to reflect on the weekend, share favorite memories, and say goodbye to the people who were strangers just a few days earlier.
We'll finish the retreat with one last lunch together at the palace before it's officially time to leave the Highlands behind and head home with a signed book, approximately one million photos, several new inside jokes, and a group chat that's already planning the next squad adventure.
Until next time, riders.
Come for the books,
stay for the people.
Our retreats were created to help people find more friends who want to gush about books the same way they do. For the person who wants someone to text when a book destroys them. For the person who wants girls trips and sleepovers and inside jokes and friends scattered across the country (or the world…looking at you, Europeans who have been begging us to cross the pond).
Sure, you can come with a friend, but you can also come alone and still feel completely at home and at ease once you realize you’re surrounded by people who are just like you. In fact, most of our guests do exactly that.
We'll create plenty of opportunities for you to actually meet people and make connections, and what we usually see is that about 10 minutes into a retreat, anyone walking by would think it’s a room full of best friends.
By the end of the weekend, you'll have shared meals, competed on teams, explored Scotland, screamed about books, stayed up too late, and probably accumulated enough inside jokes to confuse everyone back home.
That slumber party, giggling with your friends, being your authentic self around people who celebrate you for who you are is the magic we're actually here for. It’s the magic that happens when you bring together a bunch of people who never stopped believing in magic.
hear from past retreat guests
“As someone who attended solo, I immediately felt included and comfortable. It was the perfect balance of adventure, relaxation, books, and friendship. I’m so grateful for the experience and the memories made, and I would absolutely attend another retreat hosted by this team.”
— Perrin F.“After going on my third retreat, I can't wait to go another! It's amazing the friendships that can be built over a shared love of books, fae, dragons, and whimsy in just a few days. Right after getting back, I'm already planning a long weekend trip with my new book besties!”
— Sarah E.“This was my second retreat and I will definitely be coming back for more! As an adult it can be so hard to make friends but attending the retreats you really do find your Found Family. The attendees naturally have so much in common that it's easy to connect with others. I always feel like I can be my more true, natural self and that it's appreciated.”
— Libby P.Photo credit: Atholl Palace
What’s included?
-
Atholl Palace offers luxurious accommodations fit for dragon riders. Choose between a private room or shared!
-
All meals are included starting with dinner on Thursday night and ending with lunch on Sunday.
Have an allergy or other kind of food restriction? We’ve got you covered. You’ll have an option at checkout to tell us what your specific needs are!
-
We will have scheduled times to meet to discuss topics from the books, our favorite characters, and anything else your hearts desire!
-
All activities on our itinerary, inspired by the books we all love so much, are included. Join us for nature walks, canyoning, trips into town, and more!
-
Your chariot (or dragon?) awaits! All off-site activities included in our itinerary will have transportation included, so you don’t have to worry about it on your own.
Please note that we do not include transportation to/from airports, bus stations, train stations, etc. The included transport is restricted to the off-site items on the itinerary.
-
A privately designated meeting room for the weekend just for our group!
-
Because no retreat is complete without a few things for you to take home that will serve as reminders of your magical time with Forest & Fawn retreats. Whether this weekend brings you new book besties to swap conspiracy theories with or simply a much needed break from a hectic day-to-day, we want you to remember this time forever.
-
You’ll have access to a private group forum before and after your retreat. This is a great chance to connect with other fantasy-lovers (if you choose) and keep in touch once the retreat is over. Say hello to your new book besties!
-
It’s all taken care of! All you have to do is book your travel, then sit back and relax!
What’s not included?
-
Guests are responsible for booking their own flights and coordinating travel with other attendees if they choose to do so.
-
Unless specifically noted, we will not be providing transportation to/from the venue.
-
We highly suggest getting travel insurance in case of unforeseen circumstances. A list of providers is included in the confirmation email upon booking.
-
Coffee and tea is provided throughout the day, and soft drinks are available at meals. All other beverages will be charged to the individual guest and are not included in the ticket price.
-
Purchases at gift shops, local stores, museums, tour companies, etc. that you choose to do on your own, unless otherwise specified, are not included in the ticket price.
You want to connect with other women and nonbinary readers who love to read fantasy and just get you
You need people in your life who know what you’re talking about when you bring up the throne scene.
You want to make lifelong friendships with people who have similar interests
You know your found family of readers exists, but you can’t find anyone near you
You want a few days to escape from the real world and travel to a place that feels like a different realm
You are 21+
This reading retreat is for you if:
Accommodations
-
Private Room
Early Bird: $3,600
Full Price: $3,700
Enjoy a 3-night/4-day stay in a private room all to yourself!
This suite includes an enclosed patio with a daybed and fire pit, perfect for stargazing and late night reads.This ticket is only available for single occupancy.
-
Shared Room
Queen Bed Early Bird: $3,400
Queen Bed Full Price: $3,500
Twin Bed Early Bird: $3,200
Twin Bed Full Price: $3,300
Traveling with a friend, or want a roomie? Choose a queen or twin bed in a shared room for your 3-night/4-day stay!
Want first access to registration? join our membership!
Be part of the Found Family Club!
With features like a monthly book club, local chapters, bookish virtual events, and more, this membership will encourage you to connect with fantasy lovers all over the world.
Want to know more about what this membership has to offer?
Getting there
Our home for the weekend, Atholl Palace, is located in Pitlochry, a charming town in the heart of Scotland. While it may feel like we're escaping deep into the Highlands, Pitlochry is well connected by train, coach, and car, and you absolutely do not need to rent a car to attend the retreat. Pitlochry sits on the main rail line connecting Edinburgh, Glasgow, and Inverness, and Atholl Palace is just a few minutes from the station.
ARRIVAL & DEPARTURE: Hotel check-in starts at 3:00pm on Thursday, May 27, 2027. Check-out is at 11:00am on Sunday, May 30, 2027. Lunch will be provided after check-out.
FLYING IN:
Edinburgh Airport (EDI) — Recommended
Approximately 68–70 miles from Atholl Palace | 1 hour 15–30 minutes by car
Direct coach service from Edinburgh Airport to Pitlochry, with the journey taking approximately 1 hour 30–50 minutes depending on the service.
The airport tram connects with Edinburgh Gateway, Haymarket, and Edinburgh Waverley stations. From there, rail connections run north toward Pitlochry.
Glasgow Airport (GLA)
Approximately 1 hour 40 minutes from Glasgow Airport to Atholl Palace, although traffic around Glasgow can increase travel time.
You can travel into Glasgow and continue to Pitlochry by either coach or train. Coach journeys generally connect through Buchanan Bus Station, while rail journeys depart from Glasgow Queen Street. Depending on your connections, it is roughly 2.5–3.5 hours of total travel.
Inverness Airport (INV)
Approximately 1 hour 45–2 hours by car
You Deserve a Weekend Like This.
This isn’t just about reading. It’s about remembering who you are when life gets quiet.
FAQs
-
If you wish to cancel your retreat you must notify our team via email at hello@forestandfawnretreats.com. Refunds will not be available within 60 days of the event.
Ticket prices include a $250 non-refundable, transferrable deposit. A refund on a ticket (minus $250 deposit) is contingent on whether or not Forest & Fawn can fill the guests slot before 60 days prior to the event, for sold out events only. For non-sold out events there are no refunds on payments made, and you are responsible for the entirety of your payment plan. For sold out events, if your guest slot is filled, a refund will be issued within 14 days. If you paid using Afterpay, you can request a refund from Afterpay within 120 of the purchased. If your refund is being issued outside of the 120 day window, your refund will be sent via Zelle from Forest & Fawn. Exceptions to our cancellation policy cannot be made for any reason. There is no refund for arriving late or leaving a trip early.
-
Yes! Alcoholic drinks will be available for purchase at the inn bar, but if you prefer herbal tea, that will be available all day at no extra cost!
-
If you book a shared room, you will have an option in checkout to request a roommate! Make sure you both add each other to your order to ensure you end up in the same room.
-
Yes! Well, as long as you take breaks to eat and use the restroom. This retreat is made for YOU. All activities are optional.
-
Yes! Whatever your restrictions are, we’ve got you covered. Or rather, the staff at the Lodge at St. Edwards has you covered.
-
For this event, we are unable to offer payment plans.
-
This retreat is for YOU. That means that nothing is mandatory. If you want to curl up and read in your luxurious bed all day, go for it. If you want to take your lunch on the road and see the natural wonders of the area, by all means. Our activities are solely here as options to enhance your experience.
-
Due to the capacity of our venue, daypasses are not available for this retreat.
-
No, guests will be responsible for their travel from the airport to the venue.