Winter Residency

Turadh exists to support people working for the common good in Scotland. Our Residency programme offers dedicated time and space for one or two guests to undertake a piece of sustained, meaningful work that will benefit people and places in Scotland. This is not a holiday, but a working retreat, designed to enable people who tirelessly serve others, to step back and focus on something important that gets pushed aside in the daily demands of frontline work.

We are offering the following residencies in 2026.

One or Two Person Residency 27 January 27 - 10 February 2026
One or Two Person Residency 1 December 1 - 15 December 2026

All residencies are for two weeks. The dates are fixed. Please do not apply unless you can stay for at least 10 of the14 nights.
Two person residencies can be used by a couple or two friends working on separate projects or by colleagues working on a shared project.

Who Is It For?

The Turadh residency is open to people working across Scotland's third sector and community organisations, including:

  • Community development workers and organisers

  • Charity leaders and coordinators

  • Social care workers and support staff

  • Health and wellbeing practitioners

  • Environmental and land workers

  • Community artists and cultural workers

  • Policy researchers and advocates

  • Educators and youth workers

  • Anyone working for positive change in Scottish communities

    We welcome applications from those whose work is often under-funded or under-recognised, and from individuals who rarely get the chance to step back and take time for research, writing, visioning or deep project planning.


What We Offer

We will host you in one of our two homes in Glenelg, a stunning coastal village surrounded by mountains.
You will have exclusive use one of our properties, and two weeks of uninterrupted space and time.
There are no fixed activities as part of the residency. We will provide you with suggestions but you are free to organise your days in the way that will benefit you and your work best. Meals are not provided so you will need to bring your own food.


Accommodation for one person residencies is in Nead Bernera. For a two person residency, accommodation is in Taigh Whin. Please read the details of these properties to find out more.


How to Apply

There is an application form at the bottom of this page. We’re looking for:

  • A clear description of the work or project you'll focus on and how it will benefit people or places in Scotland

  • Evidence of a genuine need for dedicated time and space

  • Realistic expectations about what you can accomplish in two weeks

  • A commitment to using the time productively

We don't need academic credentials or elaborate proposals—just honest, clear communication about your work and needs.

We aim to respond to all residency applications within 30 days. Please be aware that we cannot offer stays to everyone who applies. If you are unsuccessful, you may still be eligible to stay at our Standard or Subsidised rates at another time of the year.


What Residency Guests Have Told Us

"I came to the stay with a half-written funding strategy that had been haunting me for six months—always urgent but never quite making it to the top of my list. The two weeks at Turadh gave me something I hadn't had in years: uninterrupted time to think deeply. I worked in the mornings, walked in the afternoons, and by the end of the first week, I'd found a clarity I couldn't have reached in my usual environment. I left with a completed strategy and, unexpectedly, a renewed sense of purpose in my work. The quiet was as important as the time."

“My colleague and I applied for the Winter Residency to develop our community land trust proposal. What we got was so much more than we expected. Having two weeks together, away from the constant demands of our day jobs, let us think bigger and deeper than we'd dared to before. Being at Taigh Whin in February—stark, beautiful, humbling—reminded us why land justice matter. We ended up planning a movement, not just a project.”

Questions About The Residency

We hope your questions are all answered below. You can also check our Frequently Asked Questions page. If you still need help to determine if this opportunity is right for you, you can contact us by email hello@turadh.org.uk

  • The residency is fully-funded as part of Turadh's mission to support those working for Scotland's common good.

    You will be asked for £100 damage deposit which is refundable at the end of your residency provided everything is left clean and tidy.

  • Your accommodation will be fully subsidised but we cannot cover food, travel or any other costs.

  • Unfortunately not, but you may be able to get support for these from your employer. Please see our general FAQs for details about public transport to Glenelg.

  • You'll have the property entirely to yourself (or to share with a partner if applying as a pair). Turadh staff won't be present, but we'll provide a welcome and be available by phone or email if you need anything.

    We'll provide you with all necessary contact information and local resources before you arrive. We're always available to help with any issues that arise.

  • Residencies are for individual applicants. You're welcome to apply for the two person residency as a couple or as riends or colleagues working on a shared project.

    If you need the support of a friend or partner to make the residency possible, please let us know on your application form.

    To maintain the focus and quietude of the residency, we ask that you don't have visitors during your stay. This helps protect the dedicated work time that makes the residency valuable.


    Dogs cannot be accommodated in any of our homes. Please only apply if you can arrange care for your pet.

  • Nead Bernera (sleeps 1) has a table for you to work at in the main cabin area.

    Taigh Whin has a large wor/dining table in the living room and a separate desk in one of the bedrooms. It is easily possible for two guests to work in separate areas.

    All properties have good wifi.

  • This is a self-catering residency. Meals are not provided. We will send you with a pre-order form for the community-run Glenelg Shop so you can stock up with food on arrival, or you are welcome to bring your own.

  • We aim to respond to all residency applications within 30 days.

    We expect more applications than available spaces. If you're not selected for the Residency, we'll keep your details and let you know about future opportunities. You're also welcome to book a regular Turadh stay at any time.

  • The residency is offered as a working retreat rather than a holiday. We encourage residents to take walks, rest, and allow plenty of time for reflection.

    But it it’s a true break from work you need, please apply to stay through out standard routes - details are here. We are all about rest and renewal at Turadh and offer a range of subsidised stays to people working in the charity and community sector across Scotland.

  • Please let us know about any accessibility requirements in your application. While not all our properties are fully disability accessible, we'll work with you to ensure you're matched with suitable accommodation. If you need to bring a carer, we can usually accommodate that.

  • We don't require formal reports, but we do ask residents to share a brief reflection (just a paragraph or two) about how the residency supported their work. This helps us improve the program and demonstrate impact to partners and supporters.

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