Small group holidays & retreats

Small group art workshop holidays, creative retreats & art cruises in Scotland

Our immersive creative experiences combine art workshops with handpicked accommodation and eateries, visits to galleries and exhibitions, and more. Develop your art skills in Scotland’s dramatic landscapes, in the company of like-hearted creative travelers. Smell the sea breeze and wildflowers, learn about our rich history, explore the Highlands and islands….the winding streets of ancient villages and the buzz in our cities. Let them all inspire your art!

Every year we organise a programme of carefully curated creative experiences for small groups of 10-12 guests. All our tours are created with love and much attention to detail and perfect for solo travelers looking to connect with like-minded creatives from all over the world.

We are part of the Responsible Travel community and believe that with the right vision and values tourism can make a positive difference to local communities, economies and environments.

Click on the links below to find out more about our friendly small group experiences. You can also sign up for our mailing list if you’d like to receive the newsletter we send out once a month or so – sign up here.

2025 Programme of art holidays and creative retreats

Below is our programme of hand-crafted small-group creative experiences in different locations. For photos and feedback from past experiences click here.

Skye Textile Experience
Dates: 9-18 April 2025 fully booked – waitlist only
Location: Isle of Skye, Scotland
Tutors: various (see description)
Activities: Weaving, Spinning, Felting, Dorset Button Making
Suitable for all creative skills levels; max. group size: 10

Fabric of an Island ~ Drawing, painting & walking on the Isle of Iona
Dates: 4-11 May 2025 fully booked – waitlist only
Location: Isle of Iona, Inner Hebrides, Scotland
Tutor: Janet Melrose
Activity: drawing & painting (mixed media)
Suitable for all skills levels; max. group size: 11

Argyll Impressions – Creative retreat on Argyll’s Secret Coast New!
Dates: 13-22 June 2025 – fully booked – waitlist only
Location: Tighnabruaich & nearby locations in Argyll, West Coast of Scotland
Tutors: various
Activities: Screen printing on fabric, painting on fabric, cyanotype
Suitable for all skills levels; max. group size 10

Galloway in Summer – Oil Painting Week in South West Scotland
Dates: 14-21 June 2025 fully booked – waitlist only
Location: near Kirkcudbright, Galloway, South West of Scotland
Tutor: Elizabeth Gilbey
Activity: oil painting
Suitable for all skills levels; max group size: 8
Operated by Rusko Art

Sense of Place – Drawing & painting in the Outer Hebrides
Dates: 22-31 August 2025 fully booked – waitlist only
Location: Lewis & Harris, Outer Hebrides
Tutor: Nicky Sanderson
Activity: Drawing & Painting. Medium: mainly watercolour, inks, charcoal, pencil, graphite
Suitable for all skills levels; max group size: 10

Fabric of an Island ~ Drawing, painting & walking on the Isle of Iona
Dates: 13-20 September 2025 fully booked – waitlist only
Location: Isle of Iona, Inner Hebrides, Scotland
Tutor: Janet Melrose
Activity: drawing & painting (mixed media)
Suitable for all skills levels; max. group size: 10

2026 Programme

Please contact us if you wish to register your interest for a trip that is not yet open for booking:

Elemental Skye – Drawing & Painting on the Isle of Skye
Dates: 13-20 March 2026 fully booked – waitlist only
Location: Isle of Skye
Tutor: Liz Myhill
Activity: drawing & painting (mixed media)
Suitable for all skills levels; max group size: 12

Skye Textile Experience
Dates: 8-17 April 2026 3 places left
Location: Isle of Skye, Scotland
Tutors: various (see description)
Activities: Weaving, Spinning, Felting, Dorset Button Making
Suitable for all creative skills levels; max. group size: 10

Fabric of an Island ~ Drawing, painting & walking on the Isle of Iona
Dates: 2-9 May 2026 fully booked – waitlist only
Location: Isle of Iona, Inner Hebrides, Scotland
Tutor: Janet Melrose
Activity: drawing & painting (mixed media)
Suitable for all skills levels; max. group size: 10

Sacred Geometry & the Scottish Landscape
Dates: 8-16 June 2026 2 places left
Location: Glasgow & Argyll
Tutors: Melissa Hilliard Potter & Reni Gower
Activity: monoprint & collage
Suitable for all skills levels; max. group size: 12

Sense of Place – Drawing & painting in the Outer Hebrides
Dates: 21-30 August 2026 fully booked – waitlist only
Location: Lewis & Harris, Outer Hebrides
Tutor: Nicky Sanderson
Activity: Drawing & Painting. Medium: mainly watercolour, inks, charcoal, pencil, graphite
Suitable for all skills levels; max group size: 11

Immersive Textile Travels – Edinburgh & the Scottish Borders
Dates: 13-22 September 2026 fully booked – waitlist only
Location: Edinburgh & Melrose, Scottish Borders
Tutors: various
Activities: Weaving, Knitting, Stitching, Spinning, Dyeing, Bookbinding
Suitable for all skills levels; max. group size: 12