In Scripture, we see that God loves to take people out of their normal, regular rhythms and into a solitary place in nature. He longs to meet with us. And by immersing ourselves in a wild, uncultivated place, we can get quiet and our hearts can hear Him more easily.
Leave your everyday normal behind and meet God in the wild
Live in awe is a hiking and wild camping ministry, which aims for all people to have the opportunity to enjoy creation and encounter a God who loves to meet with His people.
Live in Awe runs two hiking retreats each year, based out of the Seamill Centre. Our aim is that after a week immersed in God’s creation, you leave feeling refreshed and closer to Him.
We kick things off by sharing supper together and gearing up for the next five days of guided hikes. Expect three day trips to various locations and one overnight wild camp in the mountains on the Isle of Arran.
The retreat costs £400 and includes equipment, meals, transport, guidance, and accommodation. (For those actively volunteering with YWAM, please message for discounted price.)
*Adequate fitness required
Pilgrimage is a physcial way to represent the journey we go on in our hearts in our relationship with Jesus.
We kick things off Sunday by heading to the starting point of the pilgrimage, share supper together and gear up. Expect to walk from morning to afternoon each day through varying terrains including: roads, farm tracks, hills, heather moors, and sand flats.
The pilgrimage costs £700 and includes equipment, meals, transport, guidance, and accommodation. (For those actively volunteering with YWAM, please message for discounted price.)
*The ability to walk 10-16 miles a day is necessary to make this enjoyable for you!
We want to make nature accessible for the wild camper and the slow Sunday walker.
Each trip is different. Let’s design your adventure together and say yes to meeting the One who loves us.
Wild: Backpack and wild camp in places no regular campers would dare to go
Comfy: Pitch your tent on a site with facilities and adventure into the wild from the safety of your campground
Cosy: Sleep in modern-day comfort at the Seamill Centre, while journeying into nature during the day
*Cost and fitness level will be dependent on the journey we craft together.
May 2026
June 2026
September 2026
Hiking Guide | Live in Awe Founder
Simeon originally came to Seamill on Sabbatical seeking refreshment. He found the restoration he needed when meeting God in the mountains of Scotland. God’s creation filled him with an awe and wonder that brought him to worship. In the stillness of nature, he was able to quietly process, pray and read.
Simeon lives in West Kilbride with his lovely wife Jonina and their two children. He still loves to climb to the top of a mountain and camp overnight by himself with a good book. And in 2021, he began to bring others into that peace and restoration by founding Live in Awe.
Simeon has both his Hill and Moorland Leader certificate and Expeditions certificate under the UK banner of Mountain Training.
Hiking Guide | Pilgrimage Director
Jeff has a long history with YWAM Seamill, having completed his DTS in 2010 and staffed for many years. He finds being outdoors a great conduit for meeting with the Lord. He loves to show others the natural beauty Scotland has to offer while pointing them to the creator of it all!
Pilgrimage is Jeff’s speciality. He loves going on extended walks across the country as an expression of the journey we take in our hearts in growing closer to Jesus.
Jeff lives in West Kilbride with his wife and three boys who also love being outdoors! He is currently working on getting his Mountain Leader Certification under the UK banner of Mountain Training.
Do I need to be an experienced hiker?
This depends on your trip: we can tailor a trip to you and your group to be inclusive of various experience levels. If you are joining one of our retreats, however, fitness rather than experience will come in handy. Our trips are not designed to push you to the limits and we take several stops; but it’s important to know that the week will involve hills and mountains.
Where do we go on a pilgrimage?
Typically, we walk St. Cuthberts Way, a 65 mile walk from Melrose Abbey (in Scottish Borders) to the Holy Isle (in Northumberland).
Who are these trips for?
Live in Awe is for anyone. Our main goals are to enjoy creation, each other and meet with God. We can tailor each trip to the type of group that comes, fit or unfit, local or international, outdoorsy or weary of the outdoors. If you are willing to give it a go, you are welcome.
We split our main trips into 3 distinct categories: Wild, Comfy, Cosy. Please note: our retreats fall into the wild category.
Let us know if you are interested or have further questions and from there we can tailor the trip to you.
Can I book a solo trip?
We only accommodate groups and are unable to take individuals.
What do I need to bring with me?
This varies trip to trip. Once you select an adventure option, we will send you a kit list.
We provide:
Sample kit items:
What qualifications do the leaders have?
Currently, our main outdoor facilitator has his Hill and Moorland Leader certificate and Expeditions certificate under the UK banner of Mountain Training.
Where will we be going?
There are many variables to consider, such as time of year, group dynamics and budget. We often go to places such as Arran, Galloway, the Trossachs, and Ayrshire.
How much will a tailored adventure cost?
Our prices will vary depending things such as length of trip, type of trip, group restrictions and location. As a Charity, we make no profit from your group so our prices will be as low as possible. However if you wish to donate more towards the ministry and future groups who cannot afford these trips, that would be welcome!
The price will include all food, travel, guides and equipment. A breakdown of expenses will be sent to you upon the agreed trip details. (Once booked we do require a 20% deposit.)
“Then Moses disappeared into the cloud as he climbed higher up the mountain. He remained on the mountain forty days and forty nights.” Exodus 24:18
In Exodus 24:18, God gives Moses the law. That could have been a simple, quick process. But God took Moses out of the chaos, away from his responsibilities. God met with him for forty days.
The mountain, cloud, wilderness or any other physical creation isn’t the main highlight of this story. The highlight is God’s unceasing desire to meet with us. He longs to call us to just be away with Him sometimes. So Just as Moses was called out of the chaos, the responsibilities and some of the luxuries, we call you to come away and meet with God.
A change of pace and place almost always equals a change of perspective. No matter who you are or where you are with Jesus, we want to help you find peace, perspective and God’s presence out in creation.
