Pictou Island Yurts

10/11/2026

https://islandswithin.substack.com/p/the-things-we-let-stand

On the quiet cost of not rocking the boat

09/20/2026

If you’ve been feeling like you need more than another weekend spent catching up, WILD ReSET may be worth a look.
The details are at https://www.pictouislandyurts.com/wild-resetretreat

09/20/2026

The solar array at the farmhouse is whole again. ☀️

When we moved to the island full-time in 2023, we upgraded all of our solar panels.

Our first winter, a windstorm tore the cover off the generator shed hatch, and we lost one full panel. We quickly replaced it.

Last winter, severe winds took out another two panels.

So here we are, heading into another winter with every panel back in place.

Please say a little prayer to the wind gods, Father Winter and Mother Nature: just leave them alone this year. 😄🙏

People sometimes say to us, “Well, at least you don’t have a power bill.”

True.

But generating your own power certainly isn’t free.

We actually maintain two separate off-grid systems here—one for our farmhouse and another for the retreat space.

Solar panels, batteries and all the other pieces of an off-grid system are expensive to purchase and replace. There’s maintenance involved. And you need to understand your systems well enough to know what’s happening when something inevitably decides not to cooperate.

It’s one of the less-visible parts of living on an island.

We love being able to generate our own power here at Kirribilli. But living sustainably doesn’t mean things simply take care of themselves.

There’s a lot of work behind the scenes to keep this place running.

And, apparently, a little negotiating with the wind gods. 😉

09/19/2026

We see the Great Blue Herons flying overhead going back to their nesting grounds on island every night, but I've never seen this perspective of them...

09/19/2026

All in a day of island life.

Left the island by Cetacean Search (island passenger ferry), had lunch in a small town, new batteries for our off-grid system delivered dockside in Caribou, then finally headed back home to the island.

Thank-you to everyone on the docks for the help in managing those beasts! Getting those batteries home took a few tractor trips — and an unscheduled break when the tractor started to overheat. Apparently even the tractor knows when it’s time to rest. 😂

Not every day at Kirribilli looks like a retreat.

Sometimes it’s boats, batteries, tractors, problem-solving… and finding time for lunch together in the middle of it all.

Island life, in real life. 🤍

09/15/2026

It’s hard to put into words what this journey means to us.

We’ve both walked through seasons of life that we never would have chosen. We’ve faced cancer, uncertainty, fear, and moments when simply putting one foot in front of the other was an accomplishment in itself.
And now, we get to walk—-together.

We’re walking not because life has always been easy, but because we know just how precious it is. We’re walking for gratitude. For healing. For reflection. For the people who have walked beside us through the hardest chapters. For those who are still fighting And for those we carry in our hearts who can no longer walk beside us.

There will be long days, tired feet, probably a few tears, and moments when we wonder what we were thinking. But there will also be sunrise mornings , beautiful views, unexpected friendships, quiet moments with God, and countless reminders of how blessed we are to still be here— and to be doing this together.

For the next two weeks , we’ll be preparing our feet and our packs. But more importantly, we’ll be preparing our hearts.

09/14/2026

Maybe you don’t need to push through.

Maybe you need somewhere you can finally put things down for a few days.

WILD ReSET is a 3-night coastal island retreat for women who have been carrying more than feels sustainable—and are longing for a quieter rhythm.

From October 1–4, we’ll gather at Kirribilli EcoRetreat on Pictou Island for three unhurried nights of nourishing meals, gentle wellbeing sessions, breath awareness, time in nature, wood-fired sauna, campfires and plenty of space to simply be.

This isn’t a retreat about fixing yourself or pushing toward a breakthrough.

Everything is offered as an invitation. Nothing is required.

Come to the sessions. Walk the shoreline. Curl up with a book. Sit by the water. Take a nap.

You set the pace.

The intention is simple: to give your body and mind enough space to settle, so you can return home feeling more grounded, rested and better resourced for the season ahead.

WILD ReSET
October 1–4, 2026
Kirribilli EcoRetreat | Pictou Island, Nova Scotia

Shared yurt — $755 CAD
Private yurt — $955 CAD
Meals + round-trip boat transfers included

If you’ve been feeling the need to slow down, you can learn more here: https://www.pictouislandyurts.com/wild-resetretreat

09/12/2026

A change of plans has unexpectedly opened up our final two weekends of the 2026 season:

September 18–20
September 25–27

So we’re opening Kirribilli for something we don’t often get to offer at this time of year — a private island getaway for 2–4 couples.

Gather a few of your favourite people and have Kirribilli to yourselves.

Each couple has their own yurt, with the Pavilion as your shared gathering space — and the beach, trails and island to explore at your own pace.

Cook together. Sit around the fire. Walk the beach. Stay up talking. Sleep in.

Or do absolutely nothing.

There’s no schedule and no programming. Just time and space to enjoy the island — and each other — your way.

Couples Retreat | 2 nights / 2 days
2 couples minimum • Up to 4 couples / 8 adults
$1,100 for 2 couples | $550 per couple
Adults only • No pets

Late September is a beautiful time to be here. The island is quieter, summer is beginning to soften into fall, and life naturally moves at a different pace.

These are the last available weekends of our 2026 season.

Know exactly who you’d bring? Send them this post. 🤍

09/01/2026

08/11/2026

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61579054352717

Welcome to the Pictou Island Craft Auction. Rules are posted per year! Bid respectfully and have fun!