23-29 September 2021 :: Drawing & painting tour at the Union Canal, Linlithgow
According to Wikipedia, a gongoozler is “a person who enjoys watching activity on the canals of the United Kingdom” and “the creation of canal related artwork is a common pastime amongst gongoozlers”. We invite you to become a gongoozler on one of the most beautiful waterways right in the heart of Scotland, the Union Canal. Your tutor will be no other than Scottish artist Lesley Banks, who as artist-in-residence at Scottish Canals spent a year walking and painting along the entire 137 miles of the canal network.
With Lesley’s guidance we will explore the canal and its surroundings on and off the boat with our paints and pencils. Our partners Linlithgow Union Canal Society (LUCS) will take us to the plein air painting locations by boat and the journeys will be used for quick sketching. Back at the canal centre we have our indoor studio space for some more in-depth work. Each workshop day will have a specific artistic theme.
As a special treat, herbalist Anna Canning will take us on a herbal walk along the canal banks and teach us how to use what grows there to make our own natural balms and lotions. The base location is the beautiful historic town of Linlithgow, where Mary Queen of Scots was born at Linlithgow Palace in 1542.
The workshop runs from 10am to 4pm and we will build in lunch stops at a local cafe or have a picnic (weather allowing).
Our accommodation is the Champany Inn - a small family-run hotel in Linlithgow with an award winning restaurant.
Day 1 – Arrival in Linlithgow (by Edinburgh)
Arrival at hotel in Linlithgow.
Welcome reception, introduction to the art holiday & welcome dinner
Day 2 – Workshop day
Introduction to the Union Canal and its history
Introduction to the art workshop
Boat trip westwards to Avon Aqueduct and a nearby marina
Plein air art session (with lunch break)
Free time in town before returning to the hotel
Day 3 – Workshop day
Introduction to the workshop day
Boat trip eastwards
Plein air art session (with lunch break)
Free time in town before returning to the hotel (possibly gallery visit)
Day 4 – Workshop day
Herbal walk along the canal with Anna Canning from Floramedica
Herbalist session at the studio
Lunch at a local cafe
Drawing and painting plants collected during the herbal walk
Free time in town
Day 5 – Workshop day
Drawing and painting at Linlithgow Palace and/ or Linlithgow Loch
Lunch at a local cafe
Afternoon art session in the studio
Review of guests’ work
Farewell dinner
Day 6 – Departure
After breakfast we way goodbye – and no doubt you’ll want to come back 😉
Flights and travel to/from Linlithgow for this vacation are not included, as are meals other than those listed above. Personal travel insurance is required.
Are you an artist looking to develop your skills, with the stunning Scottish scenery, colours and light as inspiration? Or maybe you’ve always wanted to learn how to draw, paint, take fine art photographs, make your own silver jewellery – why not do it while on holidays in Scotland? Experience Scotland differently with Wild at Art, with guidance from some of the best Scottish artists: Art vacations / Kreativurlaub / painting / drawing / stonecarving / jewellery / silversmithing / singing / printmaking / creative writing / knitting / pottery / photography / weaving