Welcome to KnoydART Skye Retreat, a series of immersive residential painting holidays, hosted by Julia Christie, where artists are encouraged, equipped and inspired to take their painting skills to the next level – so that ‘Skye is not the limit, just the beginning!’
Julia’s aim is to offer artists of all ages and abilities valuable hands-on tuition and encouragement in a totally relaxed and friendly environment on the Isle of Skye. With its beautiful mountain scenery, seacoasts, geology and wildlife, the Isle of Skye is a truly picturesque island, just off the west of Scotland. It is home to red deer, Scottish wildcats, pine martens and mountain hares, not to mention seabirds, seals, otters, dolphins as well as Sea and Golden Eagles.
The island is the largest of the Inner Hebrides. Its landscape is both moody and dramatic, with distinctive Highland characteristics and towering jagged peaks such as The Black Cuillin which challenges the bravest of climbers. In addition, swimmers and hill walkers are attracted to the Faerie Pools of Glenbrittle and other memorable locations for their beautiful clear waters and breath-taking surroundings.
In terms of natural inspiration, Skye has it all – especially for aspiring artists, who will find it hard to do anything but try and capture the tremendous beauty, drama and ever-changing light of this extraordinary part of the world. Artist or not, when anyone leaves Skye they do so uplifted, energised and refreshed.
At KnoydART, Julia has partnered up with her very good friend Sara Taylor (pictured left) to co-host these retreats and create a very special experience.
Sara, a local hobbyist photographer and manager of the Skye Bridge Studios123 in Kyle of Lochalsh, with a background in the arts and education, has a long-standing connection with the Isle of Skye.
Sara will be on hand for the week to provide delicious breakfasts and beautiful lunches as well as local knowledge and support for the retreat.
KnoydART Skye Retreats
2024 Dates
June 24 – 29
July 15 – 20
July 29 – August 3
August 19 – 24
September 16 – 21
Booking
To book a place on one of these retreats please email julia@juliachristie.co.uk with your request. A 50% deposit is required at this point (see ‘Booking and Payment’ below for further details) which can be paid by either bank transfer or cheque.
Prices
Per retreat attendee: £1600
Deposit: £800 (non-refundable and payable at time of booking)
Retreat prices are inclusive of the following:
- Four days specialist tuition from Julia Christie
- Five nights double room accommodation with en-suite
- Choice of cooked or continental breakfast daily
- Lunch, and tea/coffee and snacks when painting at the KnoydART studio
- Some art materials
Please note that for anyone who accompanies a painting retreat partner, sharing their accommodation but not in receipt of any painting tuition, pricing is as follows:
Per person: £580 (includes choice of cooked or continental breakfast daily)
Deposit: £290
A KnoydART Retreat Day
A typical KnoydART painting retreat day will feature demonstrations by Julia, a combination of studio work and, weather permitting, en plein air painting at one of the many inspiring sites in the local area. In addition, visits to meet a small selection of other well-established local artists and to see their inspiring work will be included.
The outline plan for each KnoydART retreat day is as follows:
Breakfast: 8.30 a.m. – 9.00 a.m.
Morning Session: 10.00 a.m. – 1.00 p.m.
Lunch: 1.00 p.m. – 2.00 p.m.
Afternoon Session: 2.00 p.m. – 5.00 p.m.
Celebration of the Day’s Work: 6.30 p.m.
Dinner: A number of dining options are available locally.
(Please note that dinner costs are at attendees’ expense. Further advice and assistance in booking will be available).
If you are interested in booking a place on a KnoydART Skye retreat then please email Julia.
Julia will phone to have a chat with you about your expectations and any requirements for your stay. This gives the opportunity for you to get to know each other a little, and also to ask any other questions you may have about the retreat, or your time on Skye.
Location
Conveniently situated for visitors, KnoydART is a 5 minute drive from the Mallaig/Armadale ferry terminal and only 30 minutes by car from the Skye Bridge.
Meals and Refreshments
A choice of either a cooked or continental breakfast is available daily and is served in KnoydART’s breakfast room which overlooks memorable, panoramic views of the Sound of Sleat and the mountains of Knoydart beyond. Additionally, on studio-based days, tea or coffee and snacks, as well as a delicious lunch, will be provided. For evening dinners, the Ardvasar Hotel is only a few minutes’ walk away. Then, on the retreat’s last night, refreshments will be served in the studio, where there will be the chance to enjoy a celebratory drink and discuss the week’s artwork on display before heading to a special close-of-retreat dinner.
Accommodation
Each KnoydART Skye painting retreat features luxury en-suite accommodation. See the rooms available, take a virtual tour of KnoydART and its elegant grounds, and see some wonderful views of the area at hand.
Non-Painting Partners
Julia also warmly welcomes non-painting partners to stay and relax at KnoydART.
Not far away is an abundant choice of local activities, amongst them mountain climbing, hillwalking, fishing, cycling, and photography. Guides from the locale can also be booked to take non-painting partners on outings which can include eagle and otter spotting, and there are other adventurous trips and excursions available on both land and sea. Julia and Sara will be happy to assist, as needed, with an alternative itinerary to suit non-painting partners’ individual needs and interests. Please contact Julia for further details.
An Art Retreat Experience to Savour and Remember
Come and share a truly memorable, inspirational and relaxing artistic retreat experience with Julia on the Isle of Skye!
Testimonial
“We can’t quite put our painting fingers on why a week’s retreat with Julia is so amazing. Maybe, it’s immersion in the inspirational landscape to which Julia opens your eyes. Perhaps it’s her infectious enthusiasm which stimulates, challenges and motivates you to levels you didn’t know you had. It could be the rich techniques she shares to create effects which gift so many more new possibilities. Or it could be the fantastic food, great craic and perfect accommodation. We don’t know. So, we’re coming back to find out. And we can’t wait.”
Elizabeth & Stephen T
Terms and Conditions
Prices
All prices quoted are in GB Pounds. Prices do not include the cost of any transfers or journey costs; however, local transportation to and from nearby painting locations is included in the price of the retreat. Prices do not include any activities for non-painting partners. All attendees are required to pay for their evening meals and drinks, to include the close-of-retreat dinner.
Booking and Payment
The 50% deposit required for all KnoydART Skye retreats is non-refundable and is payable at the point of booking. Upon receipt of this payment, bookings will be confirmed by email.
Payment in full of the remaining balance is due from all attendees one month before the start of the selected retreat. At this time, if this balance has not already been received from an attendee, a payment reminder email will be sent. In all cases, further details of the event and travel advice will be provided by email at this time.
Late Bookings
Applications to attend a retreat within 1 month of its start date must be paid in full at the time of booking.
Cancellations
It is regretted that deposits cannot be refunded. If, however, due to any unforeseen circumstance a retreat has to be cancelled by KnoydART Skye Retreat, then deposits will be refunded in full.
Disclaimer
Please note that KnoydART Skye Retreat cannot take responsibility for
personal injury, the loss or damage to personal property or to any vehicles. It is therefore recommended that all attendees obtain travel insurance to cover any such exigencies.