Ever wondered where David Bowie might have ended up if he never became Ziggy Stardust? Well, he might well have become a Buddhist monk in rural Scotland, apparently. As well as the likes of Leonard Cohen, the singer was briefly a student at Samye Ling, Scotland's first Buddhist monastery and the first Tibetan temple in Europe. And now you can follow in their footsteps.
Samye Ling, which sits in the village of Eskdalemuir in Dumfries and Galloway, offers overnight stays for people seeking a bit of zen. Founded in 1967 by two lamas exiled from Tibet, it has had quite a turbulent history. One of its co-founders, Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche, led a somewhat controversial lifestyle at the monastery before leaving in 1970, whilst in 2013 the other founder Akong Rinpoche was murdered in China. Yikes. But don’t let that put you off visiting Samye Ling. A recent review by the Telegraph called it a ‘magical’ and ‘tranquil’ retreat.
Before you ask: no, you don’t have to shave your head and sign your life away to Buddhism. However, the site does ask that guests abide by five golden rules: to protect life and refrain from killing; to respect others property and refrain from stealing; to speak the truth and refrain from lying; to embrace health and refrain from intoxicants and to respect others and refrain from harmful sexual activity. All very reasonable requests, to be fair.
The site is decorated with prayer wheels and intricate artworks depicting Tibetan mythology. It has a daily timetable of prayers and meditation led by the resident monks and nuns that guests are invited to join if they wish. There are also courses and workshops taking place on Fridays and across the weekend, many of which are included in the accommodation prices.
For a bargain, you can opt to stay in a dormitory bed with shared facilities for £35 per night. For a little more luxury, choose a ‘superior’ twin room with an en-suite and wifi for £120. Prices also include supper, breakfast and lunch. Admission is free if you’d just like to visit for a day. You can find out more and book here.
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