Day 1 - Fàilte gu Scotland

Your private transfer will pick you up from 14.00 onwards, at Carlisle train station, and head off to Dabton House in Dumfries and Galloway where you can settle in, meet your host and Painting tutor, and enjoy an afternoon tea with fellow guests.

You’ll have time to unwind from your journey; unpack and explore the house and the gardens. Later on, you’ll meet up again with your fellow guests for pre-dinner drinks and a traditional Scottish dinner prepared by our chef, Scott, for the week.

Day 2 -

First day of sketching and painting.

After a leisurely breakfast, you’ll start your first session with your tutor. They will discuss with you the outline for the week along with your aims and expectations before starting your first lesson.

After lunch, you will have more time to sketch, paint or maybe just take some time to yourself. Take a walk in the surrounding countryside, just outside your house. Your tutor will be on hand to help and advise you during the afternoon.

Enjoy dinner at the house this evening with your tutor, after dinner retire to the sitting room with a dram or two.

Day 3 - Day trip to Kirkcudbright

We will head out to Kirkcudbright (historically the home of many artists) for a day trip including a pub lunch. Dinner will be at Dabton House this evening but beforehand why not take time to sit back and enjoy the view or take a stroll around the beautiful gardens.

Day 4 -

After Breakfast, a full day of painting and sketching at Dabton, and lots of time to discuss with your tutor any areas you’d like help with – busy and fulfilling, enjoyable as well to share with your fellow artists new techniques. Taking a break for lunch.

In the afternoon we continue sketching and painting or if you’d prefer to relax then there’s time to do that as well.

This evening dinner will be at Dabton House – if the weather allows – a pre-dinner ramble and drinks on the terrace.

Day 5 -

After breakfast, we will make our way to Drumlanrig Castle, which is home to the world-class “The Buccleuch Collection”- home to one of the world’s greatest private art collections. We will have a private tour of the collection.

Back to Dabton for lunch with more sketching in the afternoon.

Day 6 - Visiting somewhere?

After breakfast, we will head out in 4x4s with the estate staff to a scenic viewpoint where you will be able to sketch en-plein-air and have a picnic

Drinks with Scott and dinner at Dabton tonight.

Day 7 - Last painting day with an exhibition of artwork and farewell supper

Our last full day at Dabton House.

After breakfast, your tutor will wrap up the final session, with an exhibition of your works from the week.

Your tutor will have been helping you to develop your watercolour and drawing skills over the week so this is a great opportunity to get any last-minute concerns addressed. Lunch will be at the house.

A Scottish farewell dinner will follow your exhibition, an evening to reflect on your week and discuss your new skills with your fellow guests.

Day 8 - Departure day

Your pickup will arrive at 9 am today – so after breakfast, it’s farewell from Dabton House until we meet again.

Slainte!