Plan your trip | Discover Scotland
Sketch Scotland II:
in Lines, Letters and Images
Note: Tour details are subject to change. However, this is our plan...
June 1-10, 2027
Sharon Zeugin makes art and teaches workshops in her Austin, Texas Studio, and throughout the USA, Canada, Italy & Spain...and now, Scotland! This tour/retreat is open to ALL levels.During our time together, we'll combine our own text with images in creating a unique "Book of Ours" Accordion book of our experiences communing with the beauty of Scotland. Each day will have a dedicated time to make art and, included, will be several online prep sessions beforehand as Sharon offered for the first Sketch Scotland tour. This tour is limited to 16 participants.
A note from Sharon:
"With sketchbooks in hand, we will quiet our minds and open our eyes to the beauty of Spring 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."
Itinerary
June 1st, Day 1: Arrive in Edinburgh, Scotland's stunning capital city with art museums, gorgeous parks and gothic architecture. We'll have a meet and greet at the hotel before dinner on your own, with lots of options in short walking distance.
June 2nd, Day 2: After breakfast, we'll board the coach for the picturesque town of Melrose to visit the Abbey ruins dating from 1136, sweet gardens and museums and spend a leisurely afternoon in this lovely village with time to gather inspiration and sketches. Back in Edinburgh, we'll have a group dinner and concert.
June 3rd, Day 3: We'll board the coach for Rosslyn Chapel then onto Dunkeld and Birnam, where we'll stay in the newly refurbished Birnam Hotel, across from the Beatrix Potter gardens. Upon arrival, we'll gather for an art session with Sharon.
June 4, Day 4: We'll stay close to home on this day and have a morning session with Sharon then free time to take a leisurely walk or find inspiration in Dunkeld and Birnam. We'll have dinner in one of the cafes in town or along the river.
June 5, Day 5: We will have a morning session with Sharon then explore the Birks of Aberfeldy or the Hermitage today with woodlands, streams and waterfalls. You'll have some afternoon sketch or free time then we will dine as a group at the hotel for dinner and be treated to a private concert.
June 6, Day 6: We'll start the day with a morning session then spend the day in Dunkeld and Birnam, where we will visit the Cathedral and ruins along the river, have a visit from a local artist and storyteller and, enjoy dinner on your own in the evening.
June 7, Day 7: After a morning session with Sharon, we'll take a trip to a nearby surprise or two. Then back in Birnam, we'll enjoy a group dinner and concert.
June 8, Day 8: We'll board the coach for Dunfermline to see the inspiring abbey and the ruins of the Palace and graveyard. You can meander through Pittencrief Park, once part of the Carnegie estate and find a hidden nook to sketch. This town is full of historic charm. In the evening, we'll gather with Sharon back in Birnam.
June 9, Day 9: We'll board the coach after a final meetup with Sharon and head back to Edinburgh for a final group dinner and sharing of memories.
June 10, Day 10: Flights back home or your continued journey
Total Price Per Person
$4,500
Single supplement rate: $1000 (We are limited to two single rooms) Contact us for availability.
Deposit of $1200 per person holds your space.
2nd payment of $1650 per person is due 6 months before departure.
The remaining balance of $1650 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 $4,400. Email me, info@tracelesstours.com for a payment link.
Included in Tour Price
Included in tour price:
9 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, guides 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
