# Watercolor Journey Through the Highlands Retreat with Artist Karen Rice in Scotland Join artist Karen Rice for an unforgettable watercolor journey in the gorgeous countryside of Scotland. Explore the limitless world of watercolor, guided by the expertise and tailored feedback of your instructor. Explore various painting techniques, gain more confidence in your creative choices, and bond with a supportive community of 16 other artists. Benefit from Karen's invaluable guidance throughout the process, from the first brushstroke to the final masterpiece.Stay at a vast countryside estate, delight in chef-made meals, and explore Scottish culture with trips to the historic city of Stirling, the fascinating Loch Lomond, and the quaint village of Buchlyvie. Develop an inspiring watercolor collection of your own and make unforgettable memories. ## Details - **Dates:** July 8 - 15, 2026 - **Location:** Buchlyvie, Scotland, UK - **Starting Price:** $4,550 - **Category:** Painting ## Program ### Scottish Watercolor Art Retreat Join artist Karen Rice for a life-changing art retreat in Scotland's serene countryside. During this weeklong experience, you will learn from your favorite artist through daily classes and extensive demos, receive tailored feedback, and explore the beauty of Scotland through two exciting art trips. You'll sketch and paint during visits to Stirling, a historic city; Loch Lomond, a stunning lake bordering the Scottish Highlands; and the nearby village of Buchlyvie. Discover the wonderful world of watercolors under Karen's expert guidance and create loose, expressive artwork. You'll cover a wide variety of techniques and experiment, discovering your style and unique strengths during your daily classes. Most importantly, you'll bond with a supportive community of 17 artists. By the end of the art retreat, you'll have created a beautiful collection of watercolor paintings that portray Scotland's natural surroundings. Some topics covered in the classes include:Watercolor basics: wet-on-wet, wet-on-dry, damp into wet, damp into dampUniform washesLifting off methodPlastic card techniqueSpattering techniqueEmbracing the happy accidentHow to make your paintings look more 3D by using color, tonal values, texture, mark-making, and sizeCapturing great reference photos and transposing them into paintingsExploring abstracts, florals, and landscapesDiscovering your style...and many more. Your venue for this art retreat is a holiday estate nestled in the peaceful Scottish countryside, surrounded by breathtaking landscapes. Enjoy lavish accommodation spaces, bespoke design, a spacious art studio, and electrically heated outdoor hot tubs. Immerse yourself in Scottish history and culture with delicious meals prepared by a private chef, a whiskey-tasting event, and a camp fire with Scottish (Ceilidh) dancing and music. ### Days 1: Arrival Get transferred from Edinburgh Airport (EDI) at 3:00 PM and arrive at your venue at around 4:00 PM, a stunning countryside estate with gorgeous views of the Highlands. Unwind in your well-appointed room, freshen up, and gather with your art group for a pleasant orientation tour. Discover the stately accommodation spaces, the spacious art studio in the barn, the hot tubs, and the gardens. Enjoy a special welcome dinner prepared by the in-house chef to kickstart the retreat. Discuss the upcoming week with your fellow artists over delicious wine. ### Day 2: Art at the venue Start your first morning with a tasty breakfast, then join Karen and your fellow artists for a check-in over coffee. Discover the day's schedule, then get ready for your first class.Begin your watercolor exploration by getting familiar with your art materials. Karen will introduce you to a couple of basic techniques, such as wet-on-dry, wet into wet, or damp into damp. Follow along with her demonstrations and practice these essential techniques. After warming up, move on to playing with washes and different effects, like spattering, spritzing, tilting, using plastic cards or salt, and more. Towards the end of the class, practice these techniques with some simple landscape watercolor studies.Enjoy a hearty lunch, then regroup for your afternoon class. Karen will demonstrate a loose step by step Scottish landscape for you to paint. She will encourage you to use techniques practiced in the morning’s session. Karen will be available for tailored feedback and advice.Relax after your class, then enjoy a delicious dinner prepared by your private chef and paired with wine. ### Day 3: Trip to Loch Lomond Enjoy a delicious breakfast, then embark on your first adventure: an art trip to the famed Loch Lomond, nestled within the stunning landscapes of the Trossachs National Park.You'll reach your destination after a scenic 1-hour drive. Loch Lomond's breathtaking vistas encompass a variety of scenes, from the tranquil waters of the loch itself to the rugged outlines of distant mountains. Keep your sketchbook nearby as you quickly capture the mesmerizing views. Karen will teach you how to snap reference photos of the beautiful Scottish scenery. If you're lucky, you may even hear the music of bagpipes echoing over the valley.You'll return to the venue for a tasty lunch, with plenty of time to spare for an afternoon art session. Learn how to transform your photos and sketches into beautiful watercolor paintings. Karen will show you how to choose the perfect layout for your piece and plan a sketch using the photos you took during your trip. Play with the techniques you've learned so far and let your creativity flow.The day ends with a three-course dinner, complemented by a glass of wine. Discuss today's adventure with your fellow artists as night falls. ### Day 4: Art at the venue Greet the morning with a refreshing breakfast, then check in with Karen and your fellow artists.Karen will guide you through the planning and painting of a landscape, focusing on the following elements: size, detail, tone, color, and contrast. Using the surrounding Scottish countryside as a source of inspiration. She’ll encourage you to experiment with a variety of techniques, such as tilting the paper to experiment with washes and using spattering, salt and plastic card techniques to enhance depth, details and texture in your watercolor paintings. Take a break with a refreshing lunch, followed by an afternoon art session. You will have the opportunity to practice and refine your watercolor skills and develop your paintings, benefiting from Karen's demonstrations and one-to-one feedback. You will start to gain confidence in watercolor by practicing techniques and washes. You will also learn the importance of tonal values and color mixing to create atmosphere and depth in your paintings.Relax with a soak in the hot tub, then, as night falls, delight in a chef-prepared dinner, washed down with a glass of wine. Unwind and share impressions with your art group. ### Day 5: Trip to Stirling Day five of the retreat begins with a delightful breakfast, followed by another outing. You'll visit the historic town of Stirling and its majestic castle, arriving at your destination after a short 30-minute drive. Stirling lies at the heart of Scotland, where the untamed Highlands embrace the rolling hills of the Lowlands.Your first stop is the Stirling Castle, the crown jewel of the region. First built in the 12th century, it served as the seat of power for many Scottish royals (including Mary, Queen of Scots). Today, it stands as an emblem of Scottish independence and one of the best-preserved castles in Europe. Sketch and take reference photos as you explore this stunning piece of history.After the castle visit, the next stop is the city of Stirling. Once the capital of Scotland, Stirling's rich heritage is reflected in its diverse mix of 17th-century townhouses, modern shopping arcades, and typical tall and narrow burghs. Enjoy lunch on your own at one of the many pubs in the center, then explore the town or shop for souvenirs at your leisure.Lastly, your shuttle will take you to the Wallace Monument, an outstanding architectural landmark commemorating the national hero of the same name. You'll be able to sketch and photograph the monument from its outdoor grounds.You'll be transferred back to the venue just in time for dinner. Savor a three-course meal prepared by the private chef and chat about the day's trip with your art group. ### Day 6: Walk to Buchlyvie & surrounding countryside Start the day with a nourishing breakfast, then embark on a leisurely 15-minute walk to charming Buchlyvie.This village, featuring plenty of pubs, shops, and cafes, is a snapshot of the tranquil Scottish way of life. The short trek is well worth it for the views of the nearby countryside. Explore the village, find a quiet spot to sketch the surrounding landscape or the terraced houses, or shop for souvenirs. The Buchlyvie Pottery Shop is a good spot for beautifully crafted pottery by local artisans.Return to the venue in time for lunch, followed by an afternoon class. Focus on transforming the sketches and reference photos you’ve gathered so far into your own watercolor paintings. Karen will walk you through selecting the best compositions for your paintings, using your own sketches. She will encourage you to experiment and practice the techniques you've learned so far, allowing you the opportunity to free up and begin to develop your own style.In the late afternoon, gather for a special gin tasting featuring local varieties that reflect the character of the region. As evening settles, enjoying a generous chef-prepared dinner and the company of your fellow artists. ### Day 7: Art at the venue The last day of the retreat starts with a scrumptious breakfast and continues with a coffee check-in, reflecting on your journey thus far in the company of Karen and your fellow artists.During your final art class, you will focus on your personal artistic growth. This session is an ideal time to address any lingering questions and gain valuable advice on how to continue your watercolor journey when you return home. Karen will offer guidance on enhancing your paintings, helping you bring them to completion with confidence. Take a break with one last delicious lunch and get ready for a special event: the mini-exhibition - showcasing the work you’ve created throughout the week. While participation is optional, it’s a wonderful opportunity to display your achievements, exchange constructive feedback, and celebrate the progress made during the retreat in a supportive environment.End the retreat with a special farewell dinner accompanied by a glass of wine and a camp fire with Scottish (Ceilidh) dancing and music. ### Day 8: Departure Enjoy breakfast and get ready for your transfer to Edinburgh Airport (EDI). Check-out is at 10:00 AM, and you'll arrive at the airport at around 11:00 AM. ## Instructors - **Karen Rice** - Watercolor artist and teacher ## Accommodation ### Scottish farm estate ### Shared standard room (female only) ### Shared superior ensuite room ### Shared bathroom - single room (female only) ### Single standard room - external bathroom ### Single superior room - adjacent bathroom ### Single standard ensuite room ### Single superior ensuite room ### Deluxe ensuite room ### Deluxe private villa ## Book This Retreat Visit [https://uptrek.com/retreat/watercolor-journey-through-highlands-retreat-artist-karen-rice-scotland](https://uptrek.com/retreat/watercolor-journey-through-highlands-retreat-artist-karen-rice-scotland) to make a reservation. *Provided by [UpTrek](https://uptrek.com)*