Argyll Impressions – Textile printing inspired by nature

An experimental creative retreat with workshops, talks, visits & exclusive private tours
Dates: 13-22 June 2025 fully booked – waitlist only
Tutors: Various
Activities: Screen printing on fabric, painting on fabric, cyanotype printing on fabric and paper
Location: Tighnabruaich & nearby locations in Argyll, West Coast of Scotland
Price: From GBP 3890
Suitable for all creative skill levels

This artfully curated retreat takes you to Argyll on the scenic Scottish West Coast. Immerse yourself in the tradition and culture of this land in creative workshops inspired by nature and a sense of place, in the company of like-minded travellers. Workshops offer small group opportunity to learn traditional fabric printing techniques along with their contemporary application from skilled and knowledgeable tutors. A real treat for textile lovers!

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What to expect

This 10-day creative retreat combines a series of workshops led by local makers with exploring inspiring locations and learning about the ancient history and heritage of the area.

The experience starts off in Glasgow with a welcome reception, lunch and private tour at the Charles Rennie Mackintosh designed Glasgow Art Club, before we travel to our residential location on Argyll’s Secret Coast. Accommodation is at a luxurious restored Victorian villa on the seafront in the village of Tighnabruaich – our retreat base.

This unique creative treat includes:

Full-day screen printing workshop with textile artist Eve Campbell
> 2-day workshop with “Outlander” textile artist Helen Gallogly
> Several sessions of creative exploration and play with the cyanotype technique facilitated by retreat hosts Shirley and Ute
> Welcome reception, lunch and private tour at Glasgow Art Club
> Full day excursion to Kilmartin Glen and Dunadd Fort with visit to Kilmartin Museum
> Studio visit and talk with tapestry weaver Louise Oppenheimer
> Full day excursion to the Isle of Bute with private tour at Mount Stuart House and visit to Bute Fabrics

and for your comfort:

> 9 night stay at tasteful luxury accommodation
> Delicious meals freshly prepared by our in-house chef, using local produce where possible: 9 breakfasts (self-serve) / 6 lunches / 8 two-course evening meals
> All workshop materials
> Studio hire fees
> Transportation during day excursions
> Admission to sites we’re visiting during day tours
> Minibus transfer from Glasgow to Tighnabruaich on arrival day
> Minibus transfer back to Glasgow on departure day
> Wild at Art canvas bag
> Personalised service and detailed pre-travel information by email
> Support of host team on site

We’ll be adding further bits and pieces nearer the time to make the experience ever more amazing and unique!

Day-by-day itinerary*

Here is the prospective itinerary in summary:

Day One – Arrival & introductions / Welcome reception and lunch at the Charles Rennie Mackintosh designed Glasgow Art Club / Private and tour at Glasgow Art Club / Travel to Argyll / Welcome dinner.

Day Two – Local walk / Exploring your surroundings / Introduction to cyanotype

Day Three – Group 1: Screen-printing on fabric with Eve Campbell / Group 2: cyanotype session am & free afternoon

Day Four – Group 2: Screen-printing on fabric with Eve Campbell / Group 1: cyanotype session am & free afternoon

Day Five – Excursion to Kilmartin Glen / Exploring the exhibition at Kilmartin Museum / Visiting pre-historic sites at Kilmartin Glen / Visit to local weaver Louise Oppenheimer’s studio

Days Six & Seven – Workshop with “Outlander” textile artist Helen Gallogly: artist talk, motif design, painting on fabric, screen-printing on fabric

Day Eight – Excursion to the Isle of Bute / Private tour of Mount Stuart House

Day Nine – Final day of creative exploration

Day Ten – Departure / Transfer to Glasgow after breakfast

The experience finishes after breakfast when we have to say goodbye :(.

*Please note: This is a prospective itinerary and may be subject to modest modifications. Nearer the time, once local events programmes are available, we may build in elements to further enrich the itinerary, such as a music night at a local pub.

Hosts & workshop leaders

Textile artist Shirley Torrance and Wild at Art director Ute Amann will be your hosts throughout the experience. Looking after your culinary needs and nutritional wellbeing, our amazing in-house chef Kate Gray will spoil you with delicious meals. We all live on the Cowal Peninsula of Argyll and use our local knowledge and connections to ensure you get as much as possible from your experience.

Eve Campbell

With an interest in creating surface pattern inspired by Scottish nature and architecture, Eve creates printed textiles, wall hangings and ceramics. She graduated in Textile Design from Glasgow School of Art in 2018 before setting up a print studio in Tighnabruaich.

In her workshop you will learn about colour mixing, sampling, design, screen exposing and pattern making. You will be taken through the paper stencilling processes Eve uses to create her designs and you get to print your own tote bags or small wall hanging.
https://www.evecampbell.co.uk/ https://www.instagram.com/evecampbelltextiles/

Helen Gallogly

Helen’s unique experience of making costume textiles for the Outlander series utilised her
skills in working with multiple surface pattern processes. Helen created original printed and painted
fabrics for many of the costumes in the series.

In her workshop, Helen will share her experiences with the Outlander series and her knowledge of
fabric printing and painting, working with participants to create their own bespoke fabric. Helen will
take you through the process of creating designs through to finished printed and painted applications.
https://www.helengallogly.com/ https://www.instagram.com/helengalloglytextiles/

Shirley Torrance

Shirley is a textile artist who employs a variety of printmaking techniques to create botanically inspired images on fabric and paper. A deep admiration for the resilience of nature and the human spirit’s connection to it inspires her work.
https://www.instagram.com/shirleytorrance/

Location & accommodation

Argyll with its rugged coastline, glittering sea lochs, islands, hills, lush forests and glens offers so much inspiration! Our base location Tighnabruaich is a quiet village tucked away on the Cowal Peninsula.

A luxurious, tastefully decorated Victorian villa right on the seashore of Tighnabruaich will be our home for the retreat. The house has been meticulously refurbished to combine sumptuous luxury with contemporary flair while celebrating the original architecture with its stained-glass windows and period features.

Only a couple of the bedrooms are available for single occupancy and we recommend you book early if you’d like a room to yourself. Almost all of the rooms are en-suite. The exception is the twin room on the top floor which shares a large bathroom with bathtub and shower with the hosts’ bedroom. En-suite rooms will be allocated on first come first served basis.

Price & other details

Cost: GBP 3890 (approx. 5130 USD) per person, based on two guests sharing (plus GBP 450 to have a double room to yourself). Prices are payable in Pounds Sterling (GBP).

Not included: International flights; transportation to and from Glasgow; meals other than those listed above (i.e. dinner on one of the nights and lunches on days 5 and 8 are not included); alcoholic drinks other than welcome drinks; gratuities.

Guests are required to take out personal travel insurance.

Group Size: 8 guests (minimum) to 10 guests (maximum).

The experience starts in Glasgow city centre at 1pm on the arrival day and we will take you back to Glasgow (city centre or airport) for around 12 noon on the departure day.

Please note: This retreat experience involves some moderate walking, uneven terrain, and stairs. While every safety accommodation will be made, it does mean a certain level of mobility is required of our guests.

The above itinerary is based on a careful selection of suppliers and locations, and is accurate at the time of publication. But should it be necessary, Wild at Art reserves the right to make alterations.

How to book

To reserve your place, please provide some details using the online form (see link below). We will then send you a welcome email and issue an invoice for the deposit payment. A non-refundable deposit of GBP 600 secures your place and the balance payment will be due 10 weeks before the retreat starts. Feel free to contact us anytime if you have questions.