Plan your trip | Discover Scotland
Sketch Scotland:
Art Tour with Sharon Zeugin
Sept 14-24, 2025
Sharon Zeugin makes art and teaches workshops in her Austin, Texas Studio, and throughout the USA, Canada and Italy & Spain...and now, Scotland!
A note from Sharon:
"With sketchbooks in hand, we will quiet our minds and open our eyes to the beauty of Fall in Scotland. Whether sitting in a cafe, or taking in the beauty of the countryside—or visiting ancient castles and ruins--our approach to art-making will be one of curiosity and discovery. As Georgia O'Keeffe remarked: "no one sees a flower because we haven't the time, and to see takes time.” Here we will have the opportunity to take the time to really SEE with our paintbrushes and pencils. The invitation is to be mindful as we sketch, paint, write what personally compels us, engaging with our surroundings as participants, not simply tourists. There are no prerequisites for this course other than an open mind and heart. No experience? No problem! All levels of art experience are welcome! The pace will be relaxed, with daily prompts for sketching our surroundings in letters lines and images. This includes using collage, abstracting the landscape, as well as what I like to call taking a “magical realism”( rather than simply a “realistic)” approach where we combine disparate elements to create uniquely personal pages."
Note: Our tour starts the morning of the 14th so you'll want to get to Edinburgh no later than the 13th. That night is on your own. However, you may choose to stay at the Radisson Blu, where our coach will pick us up the following morning. Email Sarah: sarah.cowan@radissonhotels.com, and tell her you're with the Raven Sinclaire group, and she will give you a quote and book if you like.
Sept 14th, Day 1: Our coach picks us up for the Borders, a rich and beautiful area of Scotland. We'll start with a stop at the enigmatic Rosslyn Chapel and Glen, then on to Peebles, a stunning village on the River Tweed, where we will stay for three nights.
Sept 15th, Day 2: After breakfast, we'll board the coach for the picturesque town of Melrose, where we'll visit the Abbey ruins dating from 1136, then on to Floors Castle, where we will spend a leisurely afternoon.
Sept 16th, Day 3: We'll stay close to home today while visiting gardens and sites around Peebles. In the evening, we'll enjoy a group dinner and concert.
Sept 17, Day 4: Board the coach to head toward Dunkeld, a lovely village on the River Tay, with some scenic stops along the way.
Sept 18, Day 5: We will explore the Birks of Aberfeldy and the Hermitage today with woodlands, streams and waterfalls. We will dine as a group at the hotel for dinner and be treated to a private concert.
Sept 19, Day 6: We'll spend the day in Dunkeld and Birnam, where we will visit the Cathedral and ruins along the river, Birnam wood (famous from Shakespeare's Macbeth), and see some of the inspirations for Beatrix Potter, who wrote the Tales of Peter Rabbit here. In the evening, we'll gather round a fire down by the river and invite some of our local friends to stop by.
Sept 20, Day 7: Off to Inverness, with some stops along the way. Then we'll settle in to our hotel for a relaxing evening or a coach run into town if you choose.
Sept 21, Day 8: We'll take a drive to Loch Ness and the scenic village of Beauly for lunch, sketching and meandering. We'll have some time in the evening for a visit to Inverness city centre and dinner.
Sept 22nd, Day 9: We'll visit a nearby beach and waterfall then return to see the sights around Inverness later in the day. You'll be treated to a private concert at the hotel.
Sept 23rd, Day 10: Return to overnight in Edinburgh with some lovely stops along the way. This evening, we will gather for a group dinner and sharing.
Sept 24th, Day 11: Flights back home or your continued journey
Total price per person: $3,900
Single supplement rate: $900 (We are limited to two single rooms) Contact us for availability.
Deposit of $900 per person holds your space.
2nd payment of $1500 per person is due 6 months before departure.
The remaining balance of $1500 per person is due 90 days before departure.
NOTE: If you would like to pay in full, there is a $200 discount so your total would be $3,700. Email me for a payment link.
Included in tour price:
10 nights accommodations at 4 star eco-friendly hotels when available
4 group dinners
breakfast each day
site entrance fees
ground transportation
Art guidance*
Private concerts
Gratuities for venues and group dinners
Note: due to the varying arrival and departure times, we will not provide airport shuttle. Taxis, uber or lyft are available and we can help you as needed.
*Informal class instruction will include introduction to sketching and watercolor painting, focused on integrating sketching/drawing and watercolor painting with handwriting and informal calligraphy. Participants will have the opportunity to meet ahead of the trip in an online zoom class to go over tools, materials and some simple “getting started” art exercises. Whatever one’s level of experience, we can create beauty on the page with a few simple techniques. A visual journal will be portal for discovering your own artistic voice while taking in the beauty of Scotland.
Not Included in tour price:
Art supplies (you'll be sent a list of supplies needed upon booking or email to request it)
Meals and extras not mentioned above
Airfare to and from Scotland
Transportation to and from the airport
Travel insurance
Please see FAQs for details.