Welcome to
Main Character University…
AN IMMERSIVE RETREAT THAT WILL IGNITE YOUR SOUL WITH
MAGIC, ADVENTURE, WHIMSY AND CONNECTION.
SEMESTER ONE:
SEMESTER TWO:
NOVEMBER
8th - 12th,
2026
NOVEMBER
22nd - 26th,
2026
SOLD OUT
SOLD OUT
SEMESTER THREE:
MARCH
21st - 25th,
2027
SOLD OUT
WHAT CAN YOU EXPECT
from the MCU experience?
Picture the warmth of the fire in a cosy common room, donning your fighting leathers in the halls of Basgiath War College, and embracing the camaraderie of the Inner Circle at the Town House in Velaris…all woven into one unforgettable experience.
For five extraordinary days, the heart of the Scottish Highlands becomes the backdrop for your ultimate fantasy university.
This immersive retreat will ignite your soul with magic, adventure, whimsy and connection, all while crafting memories & friendships you’ll treasure forever.
You’ll dive into ancient skills like chain mail crafting and herbology, where you’ll brew your own magic from the earth.
As the day draws to an end, gather within the Drawing Room for storytelling by the fire, steeped in Scottish myth and wonder, or let loose at a lively dance in the Great Halls of Ardtornish House.
You’ll learn the art of sword fighting, embracing the strength and courage of a Valkyrie. You’ll dive into ancient skills like chain mail crafting and herbology, where you’ll brew your own magic from the earth.
You’ll dive into ancient skills like chain mail crafting and herbology, where you’ll brew your own magic from the earth.
This isn’t just a retreat, it’s the chance to become the Main Character in the world you’ve always imagined.
What’s included
at MCU?
ACCOMODATION:
Our 2026 University will be hosted exclusively at Ardtornish & Achranich House on Ardtornish Estate in the heart of the Scottish Highlands.
These incredible Victorian properties have the charm you’d expect, with a Great Hall, a Library, various drawing rooms & roaring fireplaces, spacious corridors, dormitories and original marble bathrooms with their Victorian rolltop baths, not forgetting the sauna!
Rooms are a mix of quad, triple and twin shares, with the option to book an entire room to yourself. As part of your University registration you’ll get the chance to share a bit about yourself, which helps us room you with likeminded girlies who we know will become your new MCU besties!
Read more about the 2 properties, room layout & floor plan below.
ACTIVITIES:
Your class schedule for University will be jam packed full of incredible classes. From learning to wield and fight with a sword, to crafting your own chain mail, mixing herbal tinctures & learning the art of world building by a Sunday times best selling author, each element of your fantasy self is going to be delighted with the opportunity to build your confidence across a variety of skills.
Your class timetable will also accomodate plenty of free time to frolic the halls of Ardtornish, take a dip in Loch Aline or relax by the fireplace with a book in hand.
Each evening will be full of group activities to keep the magic flowing, from fireside folklore story telling (with a dram in hand, of course) to a ghost hunt through the halls of Ardtornish to our Graduation ball on the final night - there’s so much to do at MCU!
YOUR PROFESSORS:
Get ready for a one of a kind experience with your Headmistress Gabby, the dynamic director of the MCC, and her fantastic team of professors.
We’re all set to whisk you away into a world of fantasy, friendship, and magical memories. At University, you won’t just be another face in the crowd. You’re the Main Character after all!
We’re all about creating tight-knit groups lead by incredible women to make sure every moment is personalized, exciting, and absolutely bursting with joy. So get ready to dive in, make new friends, and soak up every second of your time with us!
FOOD, GLORIOUS FOOD!
Breakfast, lunch and dinners are all provided by professional caterers at University.
Breakfasts will be continental with a mix of yoghurt, fruits, porridge, cereals, & pastries.
Lunch will include filling & delicious sandwiches, wraps, soups & more and as for dinners you’ll be well fed with hearty dishes (and dessert!)
If you fancy a snack or professionally brewed coffee, The Coal Shed cafe on the estate is open daily from 9:30-4:30pm.
Vegetarians, vegans & gluten sensitivities will be catered for too!
PHOTOGRAPHY:
Not only will your days be full of classes & general frivolity, but our time at MCU will be documented by a professional photographer & videographer.
A gallery of images will be provided after MCU for students to download and share at their leisure.
“But I don’t know how to pose for pictures?!” Never fear, kind student. For your Headmistress will be teaching Frolicking 101 - how to pose and move for photographs.
Word around campus is that there will be an opportunity for a professional portrait at one of our evening activities…
TUITION FEES:
From accommodation to activities, meals to memories, we’ve got you covered - no hidden fees, no surprise expenses. Your tuition for this 5 day enchanting experience starts at £1,350.
With just a £300 deposit, you can secure your spot and start counting down the days until the fantasy experience of your dreams. The remaining balance isn’t due until July 31st for S1&S2 / October 31st for S3 2026, giving you plenty of time to plan and prepare, with an option for payment plans too!
Please note, we limit the amount of students enrolled in MCU to ensure an immersive & unique experience.
Full tuition options & inclusions can be read below!
THE FINER DETAILS
FURTHER INFORMATION BELOW:
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Your ticket includes:
Private coach transfer to and from Edinburgh with a professional tour guide. You’ll stop along route to Uni at the Glencoe viewing point, cross a ferry and arrive on Ardnamurchan peninsula.
4 nights of accomodation in either Ardtornish House or Achranich House with linen & towels included. There are 5 bathrooms in Ardtornish House with victorian rolltop bathtubs a plenty and 3 showers.
There are 2 bathrooms with bathtubs & showers in Achranich House.
All of your meals including 3 lunches, 4 dinners and 4 breakfasts (BYO snacks!) Including options for students with dietary restrictions.
*All included and optional activities: sword fighting, chain mail creation, herbology, frolicking 101, creative writing & world building with a Sunday times Best Selling author, birds of prey handling, a folklore storytelling evening with whisky tasting, late night ghost hunts and your graduation ball!
Access to the on site sauna, snooker room, the Library, all drawing rooms and an individual lounge room per dormitory in Ardtornish House.
Use of swords, crowns, armour & other fantasy props throughout the estate to take photographs and videos at your leisure
A professional photographer & videographer to help document your experience across our week at University
A membership portal with a full registration for you to tell us more about yourself to ensure you’re grouped with students who like the same things as you! As well as a packing list, a more detailed schedule, access to meet students before we head off and a post Uni gallery of professionally shot images for you to download and share!
An incredible University welcome pack including a MCU Sweater & your personalised schedule for when you arrive - and many more MCU merch goodies
3 Professors to help enhance your university experience within your houses here at MCU!
*Some activities subject to change based on weather
There are no additional fees to be paid whilst at MCU, all of your classes, food, accommodation, optional activities and welcome pack are included in the price!
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We’re so excited to have exclusive use of both Ardtornish House and Achranich House & Annex. Take a look at the estate layout here
Ardtornish House:
Our core venue for MCU classes, meals, evening activities and bedrooms, this house is broken up into 5 different dormitories with a variety of room layout options. You can see an example of one dormitory here.
Each dormitory offers a variety of room styles, such as triple-share and solo rooms.
Ardtornish House also has an on site sauna, a snooker room, the library, the great hall and many other hidden gems to be explored.***Please read additional information about bathrooms & general house information below***
Achranich House & Annex
We also have a second property which is a 8 minute, paved walk to Ardtornish House on the estate.
Achranich House has spacious rooms, a huge expanse of gardens next to the River Rannoch and the ground floor contains a large sitting room & a cosy wood burning stove. This property has a mix of quad share, twin share & solo rooms.Students staying in Achranich House & Annex will of course have access to Ardtornish House and its facilities at all times during M.C.U, and a coach is provided to transfer students from house to house after key activities.
*please note, no classes will be hosted in this house, it’s lodgings only. Take a look at the floor plan hereChoosing your preferred property & room
When tickets go live, you’ll have the opportunity to select your preferred property & room style. But don’t forget, you won’t be spending much time in your bedrooms - there’s plenty of activities to be explored across the entire estate at M.C.U
Please note that reservations are made per person, not per room.
Whilst we can guarantee your room style & property preference, your dormitory will be assigned by the M.C.U team!
Lastly, please read the Important Information about Ardtornish House below as some rooms hold secrets 👀
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A one of a kind, magical 5 day adventure awaits you at MCU, where every moment is filled with wonder and excitement. From unforgettable classes, to cozy nights by the fire, there's something for everyone to discover.
Prices are staggered depending on your property & room preference. (Please note, there are limited spaces for each room style, so have a few options in mind should your preference sell out.)
Ardtornish HouseTriple Share (3 single beds - 1 room available) - £1,550pp
Twin share (2 single beds - 9 rooms available) - £1,750pp
Solo Room (double bed - 6 rooms available) - £1,950pp
Master Bedroom (double bed - 1 room available) - £2,350
Achranich House & Annex
Quad Share (4 single beds - 1 room available) - £1,350pp
Twin share (2 single beds - 4 rooms available) - £1,650pp
Solo Room (double bed - 3 rooms available) - £1,950pp
***PLEASE NOTE, solo rooms & the master bedroom cannot be shared***For all the incredible inclusions we've lined up (and trust us, there are plenty more surprises in store), you can secure your space at Uni with a £300 deposit with the remainder due 14 weeks prior to our first event (July 31st 2026 for S1&S2, October 31st 2026 for S3 )
We also have options for payment plans, so please get in touch with us after you’ve secured your space and we can make that happen.
Is everything included?
Yes! From your accommodation, to coach transfers from Edinburgh to Ardtornish, all meals on site & activities, you won’t be expected to spend anything else when you step on site at MCU.We cannot wait for you to join us at MCU and for the magic begin!
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Semester 1, 2 & 3 sold out in record time of 1 minute! Please join our cancellations waitlist here
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Students are responsible for arranging their own travel to and from Edinburgh.
From there, we’ll take care of the rest. Your coach transfer from Edinburgh to Ardtornish Estate and back again is included as part of your enrolment.
We recommend arriving in Edinburgh at least 24 hours before departure and departing no earlier than 24 hours after our return, to ensure plenty of time to catch the coach.
Ardtornish Estate is approximately 4.5 hours north of Edinburgh, so we strongly recommend travelling with the MCC coach transfer.
International Travellers
Please check the relevant UK government travel guidance to confirm whether you require a visa to enter the United Kingdom.
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Ardtornish House is a stunning Victorian property full of character, charm, and just a touch of mystery—perfect for an immersive fantasy experience. Its quirks only add to the magic!
When it comes to the bathrooms, here’s what you need to know: each dormitory has at least one bathroom, most featuring elegant Victorian bathtubs (without shower heads, for the full period-drama experience). If you’re more of a ‘quick rinse and go’ adventurer, fear not—there are three shower rooms scattered throughout the house for you to use.
The house itself carries the graceful wear of history, making you feel as if you've stepped into another era. And for our bravest guests, legend has it that the house has a few ghostly whispers of its own, especially in the garden dormitory (also known as the triple-share room). If you’re a spooky girlie or just love a good tale by candlelight, you’ll feel right at home.
Ardtornish House isn’t just a venue; it’s a character in this story—one that will make your Main Character University adventure even more unforgettable.
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Once your spot at MCU is secured, you’ll receive your official packing list. Most of it is comfy, casual, everyday wear, including a MCU-branded sweatshirt you’ll receive as part of your welcome pack to keep you cosy throughout the week.
The only extra items we suggest are:
A ball gown / dress / outfit that makes you feel incredible for the Graduation Ball ✨
Your “fighting leathers” (aka your favourite activewear) for adventures, training, and shenanigans
Our MC girlies have a reputation of going above and beyond, so if you want to theme your outfits throughout the week, go wild! But don’t stress about curating 100 different looks. You absolutely do not need to purchase a ton of new clothes to fully immerse yourself at MCU.
When you arrive on campus, you’ll find costume pieces, armour, swords, daggers, and more ready for you to play with, layer over your own outfits, and truly step into the MCU magic.
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Will all 3 of the semesters be the same format?
Yep! Same schedule, same houses, same classes - due to popular demand we’ve decided to host M.C.U three times across 2026/2027.Can i attend by myself?
We actually recommend you attend by yourself! A certain kind of magic happens when you take the leap into our spaces and show up as exactly who you want to be (without anyone elses pre conceived notions of who you are!) Over 95% of our attendees are solo adventurers, we challenge you be part of that 95%.Can I attend with a friend?
If you want to attend with a pal, you absolutely can and there will be an opportunity for you to let us know who you’re attending with after you’ve booked your place! We will do our best to ensure you gals are sharing a room too!
Please don’t forget this is a ladies only event, leave the boys behind for this one! 😉
Can we share a bed in a solo / master bedroom?
Room options have been carefully planned to ensure a balanced and comfortable experience for all guests. If you wish to share a room with friends, the quad, triple, or double rooms are your best options. These rooms are designed for multiple guests and are ideal for those wanting to stay together.
The solo and master rooms are strictly for one person only and cannot be shared due to overall event capacity restrictions. By booking, you acknowledge that room allocations are final and cannot be adjusted to accommodate additional guests in solo or master rooms.
How many tickets can I buy at once?We cap our ticket purchasing to 2 per person max. Due to the high popularity of our events we limit this to give everyone a fair chance at getting tickets.What if I don’t live in Edinburgh?
Attendees from all over the world are welcome to join us - in fact we often have attendees from across the globe at our events!
The coach to and from University will be departing and returning to Edinburgh. We strongly recommend you jump on the bus with us as it’s a 5 hour journey to campus, but if it makes more sense to head to Ardtornish house from where you are, please get in touch when you’ve registered and we can discuss alternatives!We also recommend you book at least 1 day prior to the event and 1 day after the event in Edinburgh, as departure and return times may change.
Whats the different between Ardtornish & Achranich House?
Ardtornish House is our core venue for all MCU activities, meals and bedrooms. Due to popular demand we added on an extra property booking to acommodate more students.
Achranich is a gorgeous property a 8 minute walk from Ardtornish, and students will still have access to all Ardtornish facilties during MCU.Are there any age restrictions?
University is an 18+ event and the majority of our attendees range between the ages of 20-40!
Will men be on site at University?
All of our students and professors at University are women, but our caterers, coach drivers and some activity providers will be men. We endeavour to bring you the BEST experience at Uni, which means hiring the best folks to work with us. These vendors are handpicked and completely understand the ethos of the MCC and add a valuable and safe energy to our events.
How physically active will uni be?
We consider ourselves lazy outdoors girlies here at the MCC. All outdoor included activities will require basic fitness, but nothing crazy! If you’re worried, please get in touch for us to clarify.
Are you LGBTQI+ friendly?
Absolutely! The Main Character Club and all of our events, photoshoots, and community spaces are fully LGBTQI+ friendly. We are passionate about creating a welcoming, inclusive, and empowering environment where everyone feels safe to express themselves and step into their main character energy.
Our events are designed as women’s-only spaces, and we warmly welcome transgender women and AFAB non-binary people who feel aligned with this kind of environment. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out—we want you to feel completely comfortable and supported!
Is the event wheelchair accessible?
Unfortunately, this event is not wheelchair accessible. However, we are committed to making our events as inclusive as possible, and many of our other gatherings do offer accessible options. We’d love for you to join us at a future event, keep an eye out for upcoming opportunities!Refunds & Cancellations
We completely understand that sometimes plans change. Your deposit is non-refundable, however if you need to cancel on or before 31st July, any remaining balance you’ve paid will be refunded in full.
After 31st July, refunds can’t be guaranteed due to commitments already made with venues and suppliers. If you do need to cancel after this date, we’ll do our very best to re-offer your place. If we’re able to fill your spot, we can then refund any balance paid (excluding the deposit), though this can’t be promised.
Our aim is always to be as fair and supportive as possible while also honouring the arrangements in place to make the experience magical for everyone.
I have another question!
Fabulous! Please get in touch with us at team@scotlandmagic.uk
