Meet Your Facilitators

This was made for women like you .

Meet the women behind Wild & Rooted. Complementary strengths, a shared love of nature, and a belief that your choices matter.

WHY WE CREATED WILD & ROOTED

A shared belief in space to be.

Lisa, Deirdre and Sandrine came together through learning about polyvagal theory and the felt sense: ways of paying closer attention to how stress, safety and experience can show up in the body. As we learned more, we recognized how much we shared - not only in our work, but in our concerns about the speed and pressure of modern life and how easily meaningful connection can be lost within it.

We wanted to create something that felt more closely aligned with our inner wisdom and values than the other work we do. To us, wellbeing, rest, choice, time in nature, learning and authentic connection are not luxuries to be earned. They are essential parts of a life that feels more spacious, grounded and truly our own.

Wild & Rooted is our invitation to pause without pressure. We are creating a welcoming, supportive space where women can reconnect with themselves and with one another, explore practical ways to understand stress and body signals, and make room for curiosity. There is no single right way to take part and no pace you need to match.

Our hope is that each woman can choose what feels right for her, learn from her own experience and grow at a pace that respects where she is. Whether through movement, stillness, conversation, nature or time alone, this is a place to arrive as you are and explore what supports connection, possibility and presence.

What Matters to Us

So many women spend their lives caring for others, juggling responsibilities, and putting their own needs last. We believe women deserve time to step away from the everyday, rediscover what brings them joy, and experience life beyond their usual routines. Through the beauty of Scotland, the freedom of exploration, nervous-system-informed practices, and the power of shared experiences, we want to create something more meaningful than a traditional vacation. A retreat where women can rest without guilt, play without pressure, try something new at their own pace, and build connections that continue long after they return home. Because wellbeing isn't just about managing stress. It's also about making room for laughter, wonder, adventure, and the many parts of ourselves that everyday life can leave behind.

Your life includes you, too. You deserve time and experiences that nourish you, not just the people who depend on you.
You are more than one thing. You can be grounded and adventurous, strong and tender, confident and still figuring things out.
Joy is for everyone. Play, laughter, and delight are important parts of a fulfilling life, not rewards for getting everything else done.
Our nervous systems need more than rest. Enjoyable movement, creativity, connection, and moments of wonder can help us shift out of everyday stress and reconnect with ourselves.
Nothing to prove. Plenty to explore. You don't have to be fearless, fit, outgoing, or good at something to enjoy a new experience.
Growth isn't always graceful. We learn through trying, stumbling, changing our minds, and discovering things we couldn't have planned.
Belonging grows between us. Meaningful friendships are built through shared experiences, honest conversations, laughter, and small acts of kindness.
Nature offers a fresh perspective. New landscapes can invite clarity, growth, wonder, and a renewed sense of connection.
Rest is as valuable as adventure. There is no single right way to experience a retreat. You can explore, participate, pause, or simply take it all in.
You get to find your own rhythm. There is no need to keep up, meet expectations, or become someone different. Come as you are, and choose what feels right for you.

Facilitator

Deirdre McCarthy

Social worker · Life coach · Author · Nervous-system educator

Deirdre is a trauma-informed social worker, life coach (Aspire Coach training - ICF Accredited training programme) and author, publishing recently “It’s Not Fair: Bród’s Journey Through Their Parents’ Break-Up,” a book designed to help children understand, navigate, and support their nervous system responses during challenges. She helps people understand themselves, their relationships and their nervous systems with greater compassion.

Her work brings together professional experience, nervous-system education and storytelling, making ideas about stress and emotional well-being accessible and relevant to everyday life.

During the retreat, Deirdre will share her knowledge, facilitate reflective experiences, and encourage meaningful conversations and connections.

“What excites me most about leading at Wild & Rooted is the opportunity to create a warm, trauma-informed space where women can pause, reconnect with themselves and one another, and explore what they need without pressure or expectation.”

Facilitator

Sandrine Gardner

Local Expert · Yin yoga & mindfulness teacher · Trained therapist · Walk leader

Sandrine is a trauma-informed yin yoga and mindfulness teacher with a passion for helping people slow down, listen inwardly and cultivate a compassionate relationship with their bodies.

A native of the Loch Lomond region, she has a deep personal connection to the landscape that will become our retreat home. As a certified guide, she is excited to share the surrounding countryside.

Sandrine will bring yin yoga, meditation and nature-based experiences to the retreat, inviting participants to embrace a slower pace.

“I’m feeling blessed to share this beautiful experience with you on the bonnie banks of Loch Lomond.”

Retreat visionary

Lisa Gleeson

Trauma-informed yoga teacher · Nervous-system educator · Outdoor guide

Lisa is a certified yoga teacher, avid hiker and trauma-informed nervous-system educator. Through Within Reach Yoga, she creates welcoming spaces for gentle movement, accessible practices and curiosity about our lived experiences.

Her teaching draws on yoga, meditation, felt sensing polyvagal theory; learning from Stephen Porges, Arielle Schwartz, Deb Dana, BG Mancini, Jan Winhall, Michael Allison and other leaders in the field. She loves bringing yoga practices beyond the mat and into nature, exploring the grounding, connection and joy that can emerge through sensory awareness and time outdoors.

At Wild & Rooted, Lisa will lead experiential talks and help create a supportive environment where everyone can learn, rest, move and connect at their own pace.

"I love seeing women rediscover their sense of adventure and play, especially when they’ve spent so much time taking care of everyone else. There’s something really special about show up authentically, slowing down enough to tune into yourself, reconnecting with what you need, and then venturing out to try something new - not because you should, but because it feels good! My hope is that women leave this retreat feeling refreshed, connected, and more alive, with beautiful memories, meaningful friendships, and practical tools to help them navigate stress and make room for more of what matters to them."

MORE WAYS TO REST & CONNECT

Special collaborators.

Creative collaborator & Scottish guide

Reilly Dufresne

Artist · Creative Facilitator · Community project leader

Reilly is an artist, creative thinker and community project leader who believes meaningful connection begins with understanding people, their stories and the experiences that shape them.

Her background includes communications, partnerships, project leadership and creating opportunities for community and well-being. Her illustrations can be found in a bookshop local to the Edinburgh region and displayed globally.

During the retreat, Reilly will lead a creative exploration project, inviting participants to reflect, express themselves and connect with their experiences through art.

“I’ve always loved working with my hands and creating. It's incredibly satisfying to try something and keep going. Even when things are looking a bit hairy, that can be when the most unexpected triumphs happen!”

Hilary Baxter · The Coorie

Hilary brings The Coorie Elemental Wellbeing’s body treatments to Ardoch, with full-body massage and craniosacral therapy among the optional offerings. Fully qualified in craniosacral therapy, reiki, and Swedish body massage, Hilary's work is specifically designed to soothe the nervous system, inviting you to step completely out of the everyday noise and allow your body to soften. In Scotland, to coorie is to nestle, to snuggle, and to find warmth and belonging.

Body treatments are optional and at additional cost.

Tommy Regan · The Sonic Den

A former international recording and touring musician, therapeutic sound practitioner and music education specialist, Tommy brings more than 30 years of experience to immersive, trauma-informed sound experiences. He journeys across the West of Scotland using instruments like crystal and Himalayan singing bowls, gongs, handpans, and chimes.

WORDS FROM THEIR WORK

Care that stays with you.

Reflections from previous participants and clients of our facilitators.

“This has been such an important part of my self-care these last few months. It is so restorative and good for my body and soul. Lisa is so welcoming and uplifting. I am continually inspired by her to be where I am and to love myself for just having shown up - which is just what I need some days. It's also wonderful permission to slow down and give my body some much needed stretching, relaxation and mindful attention.” Sali · on Lisa’s teaching

“Deirdre is a warm, compassionate and highly skilled coach. Having both trained alongside her and experienced her coaching firsthand, I was struck by the insight, care and creativity she brings to her work. She creates a supportive space while gently encouraging meaningful reflection and growth.” Elaine L. Kinsella · on Deirdre’s coaching

“I’ll remember the most the feeling of being in a circle of trust, where I was safe no matter my limitations. Also the feeling of peacefulness. I was happy. I would like to thank Sandrine for her love, professionalism, and care.” A previous participant · on Sandrine’s teaching

“Reilly’s art is a refreshing inspiration. She is excellent at displaying everyday items in ways that breathe new life into them. This creates a dynamic energetic pull between normalcy and imaginative on the canvas, in her writing, or woven into her crafts.” -Collector of Reilly's work

SCOTLAND · 13–18 JULY 2027

Safe enough to pause.
Free enough to explore.

Come as you are. Explore at your own pace.

Reserve your place