CHRISTIAN CONFERENCE AND TRAINING EVENT VENUE

Your home away from home in Ayrshire

Plan your next event with us

Comfortable, flexible accommodation and facilities

Get in touch with us

Christian Conference & Training Event Venue in Scotland

Gowanbank, SU Scotland‘s residential conference centre based in East Ayrshire, provides a peaceful, fully-equipped venue for Christian conferences, leadership retreats, and ministry training events. Set in the beautiful countryside, with excellent transport access via the A71, we offer a warm, homely environment for groups to rest, refocus and connect with God together.

Many Christian organisations choose Gowanbank for our balance of comfort, practicality, and spiritual focus. Leadership teams come to plan and pray. Ministry teams come to grow together. Mission organisations use the space for training, equipping and encouragement.

Image of a large bedroom at Gowanbank, with cream carpet, ornate red curtains framing a large bay window, and a mixture of bunk beds and single beds with red beding. In the bay window is a set of two armchairs.

Facilities include:

  • Well-equipped, large meeting room with screen, AV equipment and space for up to 50-70 guests
  • Breakout spaces for smaller group discussions, or workshops
  • Comfortable en-suite accommodation for up to 50 guests across 10 en-suite bedrooms
  • Self-catering or fully-catered options available depending on your needs and budget
  • Option to include outdoor activities run by our instructors as part of your stay to add some team-building fun to your programme
  • Midweek or weekend availability

We’d love to host your next event. For availability and pricing, enquire online here or contact us at gowanbank@suscotland.org.uk or 01560 323 370.

FAQs

Can I book Gowanbank for a conference?

Gowanbank is a great venue for conferences. Many churches and Christian organisations use us for conferences, training events and retreats.

We have a well-equipped meeting room with AV equipment, breakout spaces and comfortable en-suite accommodation.

We’d love to host your next event. For availability and pricing, enquire online here or contact us at gowanbank@suscotland.org.uk or 01560 323 370.

I’m organising a retreat for my leadership team. Can I use Gowanbank?

Yes, we’d love to welcome you and your team. Get in touch to enquire about availability.

Can I book Gowanbank for a meeting during the day?

Gowanbank can be booked for meetings, either in a meeting space within the centre, or in our multi-purpose meeting space in our outer building. We have limited availability at busier times of year so get in touch to check availability and prices for venue hire. We can also provide refreshments and/or lunch for your meeting.

What month is best for a church retreat weekend at Gowanbank?

We are open all year round! Our weekends tend to book up around 6-12 months in advance, especially for busier periods of the year like spring/summer so get in touch as soon as you have dates in mind to book your church retreat weekend.

Do you have single/double bedrooms available?

We have 10 en-suite bedrooms in the centre, sleeping between 2-7 in each room, with a mix of single beds and bunk beds. You can see our full bedroom layout here.

Will we have exclusive use of the building and activities?

Groups staying at the centre will have exclusive use of the building for the duration of your stay.

Sometimes, we will have an activity day happening alongside a residential event and so there may be other groups on-site taking part in activities outside. Our team will let you know if we're expecting any other groups on-site at the same time as you.

  • We enjoyed another excellent time at Gowanbank. The staff were amazing and created such a hospitable environment. Gowanbank feels like such a 'thin place' and we always come away from our time there feeling that we have met with God.

    Baptist Union of Scotland - INVEST

  • We were warmly welcomed and the staff could not have been more helpful. The accommodation was warm and comfortable and the food excellent! We would definitely use Gowanbank again for our gathering of people from around the world.

    Timelanders Writers Team, SU International

  • The facilities were great, and having a separate lounge as well as a meeting room was so helpful.
    I loved that you have ensuite bathrooms in every room. Your volunteers and staff are also excellent and nothing was too difficult for you. It was a pleasure to be there.

    Blessed To Be A Blessing Retreat

  • We had a wonderful time at Gowanbank. Incredible customer service and help with booking and prep, warm welcome on site. All staff were friendly, helpful and accommodating. Thank you!

    Staff Away Day, St Silas Church, 2024

  • Just a beautiful place and great value for money. Food was outstanding and staff couldn't have been nicer.

    Cross Training Ministries, 2024