Annual EFA Gatherings
Annual EFA Gathering 2026:
SCOTLAND – St Mary’s Monastery, Kinnoull Hill, Perth
SEPTEMBER 2026 – from Wednesday 23rd to Sunday 27th
From Wednesday night 23rd September dinner (19.00 hrs) until Sunday 27th after lunch (13.00 hrs).
In 2026 the EFA gathering takes place over 5 days and 4 nights in the beautiful woodland setting of St Mary’s Monastery in Perth, Scotland.
St Mary’s Monastery is located on the edge of the historic city of Perth, gateway to the Highlands of Scotland. A small religious community live and worship in the monastery, but there will be no other guests besides EFA participants, and there are many lovely spaces both inside and out, for meeting, Focusing or simply spending time alone or with others. More detailed information about the venue can be found below.
REGISTRATION OPENS ON MARCH 1ST.
A link to the registration form will be available here on that date.
WHAT WILL HAPPEN AT THE GATHERING?
The primary purpose of the annual EFA gathering is for European Focusers to connect and inspire each other, and to create European work relationships. Those from other parts of the world are welcome to join.
We will probably stay close to the following structure, which was much appreciated over the past years.
We co-create the program during the first couple of hours of our gathering.
• Daily meetings with the whole group
• A variety of happenings throughout the day, offered by those excited to share something
• Daily Focusing Partnerships
• Home Groups
The structure will enable participants to learn new things around focusing, connect with each other, and have time for themselves.
The program is not planned in advance, so there is plenty of time and space for people to share whatever is alive for them and offer workshops and groups on particular topics. You may bring ideas with you to the gathering, or they may arise spontaneously when we are together. So it’s like a big group focusing session, a delicious experiential masala of fresh stuff. See what happened in 2025 here.
THE VENUE
St Mary’s Monastery is located on the edge of the historic city of Perth. You can see pictures and video of the monastery building and setting on the website St. Mary’s Kinnoull | Retreat & Pastoral Centre | Perth (kinnoullmonastery.co.uk).
THE ACCOMMODATION
Single rooms with ensuite bathroom cost per person £476 (approx. €552) for 4 nights. Arrival on Wednesday before dinner and leaving Sunday after lunch. There is no option to stay at the venue before or after the gathering.
Price includes:
• 4 nights
• 3 meals per day
• Tea/coffee/water
• Bed linen and towels
The venue can accommodate a maximum of 31 guests.
The venue can cater meals for 35 people, meaning a further 4 people can stay outside the venue and attend as day-guests – cost £140 (approx. €164) per person lunch/dinner/coffee/tea).
There are various hotels / apartments nearby or in central Perth. PLEASE NOTE that the closest hotel to the venue, the Travelodge Perth Central (18 Dundee Rd) IS NOT RECOMMENDED.
MEALS
08.30: Light breakfast – cereal, toast, fruit, fruit juice
13.00: Lunch – two courses, usually soup plus a main course
19.00: Light supper – one course plus a salad bar
Tea/coffee is served morning and afternoon
Special dietary requirements are catered for. You can enter any needs on the registration form.
There are fridges available if guests want to store drinks including alcohol (no alcohol is available for sale in the monastery).
ADDITIONAL COST
€80 per person in cash for general costs. Payment of this will be requested from EFA. Please note that as EFA is not a legal entity with a business bank account it is not possible to provide receipts for this payment for tax purposes. (Receipts for accommodation costs can be provided by the venue on site.)
HOW TO GET TO THE VENUE?
We recommend ‘the Man in Seat 61’ website to help with plans to travel overland from Europe to London, and also to use trains within the UK. Please note that if you are travelling by train from London to Scotland, the cheapest fares are available 8-10 weeks before you travel (don’t book too early or too late)!
Perth is in central Scotland within convenient reach of Edinburgh and Glasgow airports (about 1.5 hrs by bus or train). You can also reach it via train from London if travelling via the Eurostar train, and via bus + train or driving from the Ijmuiden to Newcastle ferry.
The venue is a half-hour walk from Perth railway station, around £10 for a taxi. The centre of Perth is about a 20-minute walk.
The address is: St Mary’s Monastery, Hatton Road, Kinnoull, Perth PH2 7BP, Scotland
HOW TO REGISTER?
Registration goes through EFA. We will provide bank details to make payment later on, with which you will pay directly to the venue via international bank transfer.
Registration as from March 1st.
Please note that European Focusing Association (EFA) is not a legal entity, and the Annual Gathering is not a formal event, but a coming together of a group of people with a shared interest. Anyone attending the Gathering does so at their own risk.
If you have any questions, please contact lucyhyde(at)protonmail.com, riavanhage(at)gmail.com .
We’d love to see you in Scotland! You’re warmly welcome.
OUR 2027 EFA GATHERING
Will be held in Ireland, 2-2.5 hours away from Dublin Airport
Mark your calendar: Wed 13th to Sun 17th October 2027
Here the lovely venue: Teach Bhríde