Blackcraig Castle, surrounded by towering trees from around the world, is located in Perthshire, near Pitlochry, Scotland. It is about 2 hours due north of Edinburgh, and from Pitlochry, a 45 minute drive south. Inverness is a further 3 hour drive.

A family owned and operated castle, Blackcraig was built in 1856 by an artist, Patrick Allen Fraser. The 5-story stone and wood castle is situated besides the River Ardle. Yes, fishing rights (no license required) are included in your stay. The castle is an ideal artists' retreat. The accommodations are cozy and comfortable, like being at home. Fireweed grows in the walls, moss and ferns too. With a wee bit of imagination you could put yourself back into another time; of knights, chivalry, and kilted men!

Summer flowers, plenty of green grass and juicy raspberries await you at Lady Jill's Blackcraig Travel Book and Watercolor Workshop in bonnie Scotland! Join us and enjoy the inspiring watercolor setting of Blackcraig Castle.

Settle into a week's stay in the ancient stone castle built beside the meandering River Ardle. You will savor traditional Scottish Country cooking. Relax and socialize by the lively fire in Blackcraig's homey, wood-paneled "parlour", ribbed with beautiful, wooden arches and bay windows, or repose in your own cozy, antiqued room, featuring inset windows and old style wash basins.

Explore the quiet countryside afoot, and discover the "big tree garden" and the "hidden garden", the charming turrets and the thick woods beyond the castle grounds.

Watercolor Classes
Instruction in traditional transparent watercolor with an impressionistic flair begins the first day out. Held at the castle, this structured class teaches techniques imperative to the Scotland landscape - the magical light, mist, water, trees, heather-covered hills. Clouds and skies, as well as rendering stonework and perspective.

Thereafter, classes will be in the field at such places as rustic Deeside, the quaint, mountain town of Braemar, St. Andrew's Cathedral, Arbroath, Glen Isla, Loch Tummel, and, of course, around Blackcraig Castle itself.

Beginners are welcome! A materials list will be sent upon receipt of registration.

Click here for additional information on Blackcraig!

Click Here for the tentative Itinerary 2008.

Costs: The total cost for the Scotland Workshop is $1495 for students and $1395 for non-painting guests ( based on double occupancy – single supplement is $ 350 )
After the $ 550 deposit ( includes a $ 25 non-refundable registration fee ) the balance due in 2 installments of $522.50  ($472.50 for non-painting guests) on April 10, and June 10, 2008. For early sign-ups discount will be deducted on last payment.

CANCELLATION AND REFUND POLICY FOR THIS YEAR

CANCELLATIONS: Prior to April 1, 2008 a refund will be made less a $ 300 cancellation fee. We are sorry for the inconvenience but thereafter there will be no refunds unless your spot is filled with a paid in full guest, at which time the cancellation fee drops to $ 100. Lady Jill's Fine Arts strongly recommends travel insurance through your travel agent. This will enable you to recover all deposits and payments if you need to cancel for emergency reasons.  No partial refunds will be given under any circumstances for unused rooms and /or meals at Blackcraig Castle.

Please contact Lady Jill at:
1-877-700-7769

LADY JILL RECOMMENDS THE FOLLOWING ART BOOKS:
FOR SCOTLAND CLASSES:
A Trail Through Leaves by Hannah Hinchman
A Sierra Club Guide to Sketching in Nature by Cathy Johnson
FOR WATERCOLOR / GENERAL ART:
Carlson's Guide to Landscape Painting by John F. Carlson
Composition by Edgar Payne
Hawthorne on Painting by Mrs. Charles Hawthorne
Joy of Watercolor by David Millard
More Joy of Watercolor by David Millard
The Art of Landscape Painting by Paul Strisik
The Art Spirit By Robert Henri
Watercolor by John Pike
The Wilcox Guide to the Best Watercolor Paints by Michael Wilcox

Lady Jill recommends this site for art books and books about Scotland :


Contact Lady Jill's Fine Arts for Registration Information!