New Year's Eve travel solutions
From meditation in Scotland to yoga in Sri Lanka Time Out finds alternative ways to see in the new year
The peaceful option
Kagyu Samyé Ling Buddhist Monastery and Tibetan Centre, Scotland
Boozing, dancing and partying is great fun, but by New Year you may just have had enough. If you’d prefer some peace and quiet instead, as well as a little spiritual guidance and surroundings to soothe the soul, consider Kagyu Samyé Ling Buddhist Monastery and Tibetan Centre in Scotland. Nestling in the Esk Valley, it’s the largest Buddhism centre in the west with a spectacular temple and stupa. As well as its Peace
Garden and Kitchen Garden, it has 150 acres of wild Scottish borderlands to explore.
From December 23 to January 2, Samyé Ling will be holding a New Year Retreat. Each morning, Lama Yeshe Rimpoche will lead morning meditation sessions and give talks on how to experience more joy in life and how to let go of stress. Additional sessions with Ken Holmes, Samyé Ling’s director of studies, will focus on the concept of mindfulness. The course is open to anyone from any faith – you just have to have an interest in meditation. On New Year’s Eve, guests at Samyé Ling will be invited to attend prayers and, at the strike of midnight, 1,000 butter lamps will be lit in dedication to world peace and happiness.
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Samyé Ling is an incredibly inspiring place, where you can get involved as much or as little as you like. And, if you just want to find tranquillity for a few hours, you can stop by as a day visitor.
Kagyu Samyé Ling Monastery and Tibetan Centre, Eskdalemuir, Langholm, Dumfriesshire, DG13 0QL (013873 73232/www.samyeling.org). Suggested donation for New Year retreat £150; dormitory, twin and single rooms cost from £22.50 per person, including full board vegetarian meals. The nearest train station is Lockerbie, from where a taxi to Samye Ling costs £15-£20.
