The Creative Retreat, Painting Retreat in Aberdeenshire - Scotland

Our two delightful 18th century seaside holiday cottages make the perfect place for a rural retreat or creative holiday. Experience wild beaches, wonderful sunsets and some of the best fresh food Scotland has to offer. Then come inside to wood burning fires, fabulous sofas and just relax in a self catering cottage designed with your comfort in mind, or use our unique studio spaces to explore your own creativity; you can make your own art workshop or take advantage of the art courses we offer throughout the year. The studios are also a great place for the kids to make a mess during your weekend retreat!

Our unusual venue means you can have the holiday that’s just right for you: the combination of self catering group accommodation, artists’ studios to rent and residential art courses ensure our guests return year after year to enjoy this delightful country retreat under acres and acres of sky... We offer you charming accommodation in two traditional 18th century fishermen’s houses, Stroma and Bankhead, a few minutes walk from the sea. Each interior has been designed with your relaxed comfort in mind, whilst retaining the individual character of the house. The hire of each house includes its own studio. Both houses are non-smoking.

Website: http://www.creative-retreat.co.uk

Timetable, Prices & Special Offers

We offer encouraging and inspirational tuition on a range of art holidays that will develop you as an artist, and give you an opportunity to step outside your daily life. All our courses are suitable for beginners and more experienced people, as tuition is tailored to your needs. The maximum number of places available on each week is no more than 8, (extended to 12 on the Family Art Week).

Each holiday runs from Sunday evening to Saturday morning, and the price listed includes: your own room for six nights in our comfortable self-catering houses; tuition for between four and five days (depending on the course); 24 hour access to excellent studio space full of materials and equipment; a welcome meal on the Sunday evening for all the guests on that week.

Catering: The holiday weeks are self-catered, apart from the welcome meal. Our houses will be stocked with tea, coffee, sugar, condiments and other helpful items. Gardenstown has a baker, general store and a good butcher. Supermarkets are 8 miles away in Banff - transport can be provided, but our guests find the local produce excellent.

Accommodation: You will have your own room in our houses in the old village. There are all conveniences, including central heating. Do tell us if you require a room on the ground floor. You will be allocated your room on arrival - there are no ensuite rooms, but there are ample toilet and shower facilities. Please click here for more information about our accommodation.

Painting and Drawing

Tutor: Bryan Angus DA

2009 Dates: 29 March to 4 April -- 3 to 9 May -- (7 to 13 June Fully Booked) -- 21 to 27 June -- 2 to 8 August -- 16 to 22 August -- 27 September to 3 October -- 25 to 31 October

Cost: £295 High season (August) £325. (Non-painting partners £200)

Includes 6 nights' accommodation, 24 hour access to studios, tuition, materials and equipment, and a welcome meal.

Explore Yourself Through Art

Tutor: Carla Angus BA

Dates: (12 to 18 April FULL)-- 4 to 10 October

Cost: £325 (Women Only)

Includes 6 nights accommodation, tuition, 24 hour access to studios and materials and welcome meal.

Family Art Challenge

Tutors: Carla and Bryan Angus

Dates: 9 to 15 August -- 23 to 29 August 2009

Cost: Adults £295 Children £160 (non-participating partners £200)

Textiles Art and Mixed Media

Tutor: Carla Angus BA

Date: 20 to 26 September

Cost: £325(non-participating partners £200)

Includes 6 night accommodation, tuition, all materials and welcome meal.

Abstract Painting

Tutor: Anne Smart MA

2009 Dates: 19 to 25 April -- August 30 to 5 September

Please note - with a lot of enquiries it may be possible for us to add another week.

Abstract Advanced - by popular request we are offering an additional week for those who have already attended one of Anne's Abstract Painting courses; May 10th - 16th 2009. Cost: £325 (non-participating partners £200)

Includes 6 nights accommodation, tuition, materials, welcome meal.

Understanding Painting

Tutor: Anne Smart MA

Date: 14 to 20 June

Cost: £325 (Non-participating partners £200)

Includes 6 nights accommodation, tuition, welcome meal, all materials and entry to Duff House.

Travel

By Air

Cheap flights are easily available, (we recently bought flights from Aberdeen to London for as little as £25). There are regular flights between southern airports and Aberdeen and Inverness, which are just over 1hr and 2hrs away respectively from the Creative Retreat. Luton to Aberdeen, Luton to Inverness
Stanstead to Aberdeen and Inverness
www.easyjet.com BA (as Brymon); Heathrow to Aberdeen, Gatwick to Aberdeen and Gatwick to Inverness. (As Loganair); Edinburgh to Inverness and Glasgow to Inverness.
www.britishairways.com Travel time by air: from London area to Aberdeen - 1hr 30mins (approx).

By Train

The nearest station to us is Huntly, about 15 miles south of Banff. We can organise transport from there or from Aberdeen.
www.thetrainline.com Travel time by train: Edinburgh to Aberdeen 2hrs 30mins.
London to Aberdeen 12hrs plus.

Car Travel

The most direct route from Aberdeen is the A947, and from Inverness is the A98 to Banff. On reaching Banff, follow the signs for Fraserburgh (A98), which will take you through Macduff. After leaving Macduff take the first turning on the left to Gardenstown, (B9031).

Car Hire - Aberdeen Airport
www.skycars.com | www.avis.co.uk Car Hire - Inverness Airport
www.autoreservations.com | www.avis.co.uk Travel time by car: Edinburgh to Banff 3hrs to 3hrs 30mins. London to Banff 12hrs to 14hrs (approx).

Pick-ups: Transfers are available from Aberdeen and Inverness airports and from Huntly rail station. We can also pick you up at the 305 Stagecoach bus stop in Banff, (buses from Inverness and Aberdeen go through Banff), if the bus connection to Gardenstown isn't convenient. Contact us for pick up prices and for help with timetables.

Bus Travel

The number 305 goes from Aberdeen to Elgin, via Banff every hour, (journey time 80 - 90 minutes). There is a limited bus service from Banff to Gardenstown, but we can transport you ourselves. Aberdeen's bus station is next to the rail station.
www.stagecoachbus.com Aberdeen office 01224 212266
Inverness office 01463 239292 Travel time by bus: Aberdeen to Banff 1hr 50mins.

Additional Information

Enquiries and office address: 5 St Anne's Terrace Banff Aberdeenshire Scotland AB45 1AW

carla@creative-retreat.co.uk 01261 812276