Castle-based painting week in Stirlingshire

Drawing and painting vacation with Ewen Duncan, near Loch Lomond with accommodation at Culcreuch Castle, 12-17 July 2020

Sorry, this art holiday is no longer available due to Culcreuch Castle closing down. But maybe one of our other trips fits with your plans? – check them out here

Imagine developing your drawing and painting skills in Scotland in the company of like-minded art lovers, and staying at a 14th century Scottish castle! In partnership with art school art4you we’ve created an art vacation that includes a 5-day summer course with artist and art lecturer Ewen Duncan and accommodation at the beautiful Culcreuch Castle in Stirlingshire. There is no single supplement to the price and all meals are included!

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The drawing & painting experience

Your tutor Ewen Duncan is an experienced artist and art lecturer. Together with his wife Claudia he’s been running a successful art school close to Loch Lomond National Park since 2010. Find out more about Ewen and see examples of his work on his profile page.

Treat yourself to a week of art and enjoy drawing and painting in a relaxed, creative atmosphere in Ewen and Claudia’s bright and spacious country studio. Throughout the workshop Ewen will work with artists at any skills level, from complete beginners to experienced artists. The week covers different drawing & painting techniques using a variety of mediums and encourages developing your own artistic style. The small group size ensures a high level of personal attention throughout. All materials are provided.

Culcreuch Castle & surroundings

Culcreuch Castle is a fine imposing former fortalice located in an impressive setting in the Campsie Fells near Stirling. Overlooking the larger of its private lochs, surrounded by parkland grounds and exotic trees and with the steeply wooded hillside behind, it has stood for the first four centuries of its life as the ancestral home of the Clan Galbraith. The main part of the Castle comprises a medieval tower with a Georgian wing added later. The walls are over 5′ 6″ thick in places.

Culcreuch Castle has many fine features, including a remarkable Bottle Dungeon, so called as the bottle shape meant a prisoner could not lie down, an Aumbry (normally only seen in ancient monasteries) and in the Chinese Bird Room hand painted oriental wall paper that dates from 1723.

The castle’s central location makes so many attractive things to do and see in your free time very accessible that making a choice will be tricky – walking by the gorgeous Loch Lomond National Park, hiking in the Campsie Fells, visiting Glengoyne Distillery, and much more. We’ll give you plenty of recommendations!

What to expect

Day 1

Check in at Culcreuch Castle is from 2 pm. In the evening we’ll meet in the drawing room for a welcome reception and introduction to the week. Then a private Scottish-themed dining experience awaits us at the Laird’s Hall. We dine in style at the castle!

Days 2 – 5

The art workshop runs from 10am to 4pm. Lunch, refreshments and all materials are provided. If you don’t bring your own transport we will organise taxi transfers between the castle and the studio. The evenings are free for you to explore the beautiful surroundings or just relax. We will offer plenty suggestions for things to do and we often organise group outings to local events nearer the time, such as folk music nights.

Day 6

We check out of the hotel in the morning before travelling to the art studio. The art workshop finishes at 4pm. You’ll be travelling home feeling relaxed and inspired!

We’ll be happy to advise you on travel options and help arranging additional accommodation nights near your departure airport.

Cost & inclusions

Cost: £1650 per person – no single supplement! A non-refundable deposit of £400 will secure your place.

This includes:

5 full days of art tuition (10am – 4pm)
5 nights accommodation at historic Culcreuch Castle
5 full Scottish breakfasts
5 lunches and refreshments during workshop days
Welcome drinks and private Scottish-themed dining experience on arrival night
4 further evening meals at the Dungeon Restaurant at Culcreuch Castle
All art materials
Transport between Culcreuch Castle and art studio (in Killearn, 8.9 miles from the castle)
Detailed pre-travel information (by email)
Support from the Wild at Art team to ensure everything goes smoothly and you’re well looked after.

The holiday starts at Culcreuch Castle and finishes at the art4you studio in nearby Killearn. We can help with travel arrangements for getting there from your arrival airport (Glasgow or Edinburgh). All payments to Wild at Art art protected. All guests are required to take out personal travel insurance.