Scottish Canal Art Experience

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.