Step into a story set in the heart of the Highlands.
The Work in Progress Literary Tour is a women-only, story-driven journey through Scotland — designed for readers who crave connection, laughter, and landscapes that feel straight out of a rom-com.
For nine unforgettable days, you’ll wander from cobblestone streets and cozy bookshops to lochside inns and castle halls. You’ll sip whisky under the same skies that inspired Kat’s novel, trace the footsteps of her characters, and find your own story unfolding between glens and laughter.
This isn’t a retreat. It’s an author-led adventure — a celebration of sisterhood, serendipity, and second chances (with plenty of tea and tartan along the way).
Starting at: $4,444 per person (twin room)
Single Occupancy: $6,666 per person
Deposit: $750 per person (non-refundable)
Where Stories Begin
Welcome to Edinburgh. Stroll the Royal Mile before gathering for a cozy welcome dinner and author Q&A with Kat Mackenzie. Expect table reads, laughter, and maybe a few behind-the-scenes confessions from Work in Progress.
Optional: a ghost walk or literary pub crawl for the bold.
Wednesday, April 1, 2026 — Edinburgh
Secrets Beneath the Stone
Journey south toward the legendary Rosslyn Chapel, where myth meets masterpiece, and explore Abbotsford House, the historic home of Sir Walter Scott. End the day in Moffat, a quiet town where Scotland’s countryside begins to weave its spell.
Thursday, April 2, 2026 — Edinburgh → Moffat
Bookshops & Kindred Spirits
Raise a glass at The Globe Inn in Dumfries, wander the second-hand treasures of Wigtown—Scotland’s National Book Town—and end the evening lakeside near Loch Lomond, swapping stories with newfound friends.
Friday, April 3, 2026 — Moffat → Loch Lomond
Legends in the Mist
Fuel up at The Drovers Inn before crossing through the cinematic landscapes of Glencoe and Fort William. Visit the world-famous Eilean Donan Castle, then settle in on the Isle of Skye, where the line between story and legend begins to blur.
Saturday, April 4, 2026 — Loch Lomond → Isle of Skye
The Island of Unwritten Stories
A full day exploring Western Skye—from Dunvegan Castle to the breathtaking Neist Point. Watch for seals beneath the cliffs and feel the truth of Kat’s words: “Sometimes the story isn’t written until you live it.”
Sunday, April 5, 2026 — Isle of Skye
Fairy Tales & the Road North
Visit the ethereal Fairy Glen and towering Old Man of Storr, then enjoy lunch in Broadford before tracing the scenic road through Achnasheen to Inverness—the Highland capital where history hums in every stone.
Monday, April 6, 2026 — Isle of Skye → Inverness
A Toast to Time
Step back 4,000 years at Clava Cairns, breathe deep in Glenmore Forest Park, and raise a glass at Blair Athol Distillery. End the day in charming Pitlochry, surrounded by mountains, stories, and laughter.
Friday, September 25, 2026 — Bologna → Venice
Castles, Cairns & Coming Home
Walk beneath the towering trees of The Hermitage, lunch in Dunkeld, and explore the grandeur of Stirling Castle before your final stay.
Wednesday, April 8, 2026 — Pitlochry → Dalhousie Castle
The Story You’ll Tell for Years
Return to Edinburgh for one last wander through the Writers’ Museum and Armstrong’s Vintage, followed by a farewell high tea at The Witchery.
You’ll leave with a suitcase full of stories—and a heart still somewhere in Scotland.
Thursday, April 9, 2026 → Edinburgh
Rom-com author, tea drinker, and unapologetic lover of the Scottish countryside, Kat Mackenzie writes about women finding courage, friendship, and second chances in the most unexpected places.
Her debut novel, Work in Progress, is a love letter to imperfection — and to the quiet beauty of rewriting your own story at any age. When readers began asking if the places in her book were real, Kat realized she wanted to bring them there herself.
Every stop on this itinerary — from the misty Isle of Skye to the fire-lit pubs of Edinburgh — was hand-picked by Kat. These are the corners of Scotland that shaped her story: the ones that taught her that love isn’t a grand gesture, it’s a slow, stubborn decision to stay open to wonder.
This tour is her invitation to walk the pages with her — to laugh, explore, and maybe even fall a little bit in love with life again.
meet KAT
At Lumina, we don’t do cookie-cutter travel. We do story-driven adventures — the kind that feel like they were written for you.
When we read Kat Mackenzie’s Work in Progress, we knew this couldn’t just be another itinerary. It had to feel like the book itself: messy, charming, hopeful, and filled with women who show up for each other.
So together, we built a journey that’s part rom-com, part Scottish daydream. Nine days of castles and cobblestones, laughter over whisky tastings, and the kind of friendship that sneaks up on you somewhere between a cozy inn and a windswept glen.
This isn’t a retreat. It’s an author-led adventure designed for women who crave connection and crave something real. The kind of trip that shakes off the autopilot and reminds you how good it feels to be alive, spontaneous, and maybe just a little bit brave.
If you’ve ever wanted to travel like the heroine of your own story — this is your chapter.
Come for the castles and charm. Stay for the found-family moments that feel like coming home.
Because this isn’t just a tour.
It’s a story — and you belong in it.
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