by Pam Lines






Have you ever wondered about doing an artist residency? A time when you can immerse yourself in your art, with nothing else to worry about? To become one with your surroundings?

I love that idea and will often surf the internet to see what residencies are out there. At the beginning of 2023 I was doing just that when up popped a trust who were calling for applications for their summer programme - The Cromarty Arts Trust.

Cromarty is a little fishing village of 900 people on the Black Isle north of Inverness. Doesn't that look gorgeous? I thought so too, so I applied! Three weeks later I got an email to say my application was successful and they offered me two weeks in August. We tagged on other weeks, as you do when you go to the northern hemisphere and had a total of two months away.

The trust provided accommodation (we paid a stipend) of bedroom, ensuite and living area, with shared kitchen and laundry facilities, in a beautiful Georgian house. They also provided studio space at the restored historic Stables building, also owned by the trust. The studio spaces were the horse boxes.

There were no expectations from the trust. I was able to come and go as I liked and enjoy Scotland, which we did. They did suggest that if you wished you could leave a painting with them for their collection.

I really enjoyed my time at Cromarty in Scotland and encourage anyone interested in an art residency to give it a go. They are available anywhere in the world.

As part of this residency I wrote a daily blog on my website, which gives an account of my experiences: pamlines.com