Tailored Printmaking Retreats on The Isle of Bute, Scotland
If you’re ready to go deeper into your printmaking practice, a tailored retreat gives you the time, space and one-to-one attention to do exactly that. Based in my garden studio in Rothesay - with Rothesay Bay right outside the window - these retreats are designed around you, your techniques, your pace, and your creative goals.
“I enjoyed Carol’s tuition immensely - loads of ideas, great, very clear tuition...and still room to experiment!”
Who Is This For?
These retreats are particularly well suited to:
Printmakers wanting to develop their monotype or collagraph work beyond the introductory stage
Artists working in other media who want to explore printmaking more seriously
Anyone who'd like to combine focused studio time with the inspiration of an island setting
Solo travellers or small groups of up to four (family or friends) looking for a fun activity to do for a day or two.
Whether you're looking for a weekend intensive or a week-long immersive stay, we'll agree a programme that works for you before you arrive.
The Studio & Setting
The studio is professionally equipped with a Hawthorn 545 etching press, a full range of inks, and everything you need to work across multiple techniques. It sits in my garden in Rothesay, overlooking the Pavilion and Rothesay Bay — a setting that finds its way into a lot of the work made here.
Groups are small — a maximum of four, with three being the sweet spot — which means the tuition is genuinely personal and the pace is set by you, not the group.
What We'll Work On
My specialist areas are monotype and collagraph, and these form the heart of most tailored retreats. Depending on your interests and experience, we can also bring in elements of linocut, gelli plate printing, or drypoint — including how these techniques can be integrated with monotype or collagraph work to create something genuinely layered and personal.
Your tuition is shaped around what you want to achieve. Some participants arrive with a specific project in mind; others come with curiosity and openness. Both are completely fine.
The Island As Your Raw Material
Bute is a genuinely inspiring island to be on. If you'd like to get out and sketch or photograph locations to work from, I can point you towards the places that tend to spark something: the ancient ruins at St. Blane's Church, the seals and seabirds at Scalpsie Beach, the standing stones and rock art scattered across the island, and quieter spots like St. Ninian's at the Straad and the Bute Community Forest.
A retreat can take whatever shape makes sense for you. Spend a day or two out on the island first — sketching, photographing, picking up textures — and then bring that material into the studio. Or start with tuition and use what you learn to look at the landscape differently when you head out to gather reference. Most people loop between studio and island as the work develops. Think of it more like a short artist's residency, with a knowledgeable local to guide you.
I know this island well. I’m happy to show you some spots depending on your interests or offer advice and some directions to help you find the places worth finding as you go exploring on your own.
Places Worth Finding
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A medieval chapel in a sheltered hollow near the southern tip of the island, with Iron Age earthworks and the ruins of a 6th-century monastery. Dramatic, atmospheric, and rarely busy.
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One of the best places on Bute to watch seals hauled out on the rocks, with wide views across to Arran. Good for quiet observation and slow sketching. Lots of seabirds at low tide especially on the southern end of the beach.
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Scattered across the island in unexpected places. Several sites have cup-marked stones that have been here for five thousand years. Worth seeking out.
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A peaceful shallow tidal bay on the west coast, with the remains of a medieval chapel and a quality of light that changes completely with the weather. Check the tide times before setting off to look for the chapel on the far side of the bay.
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Temperate rain forest woodland walks with a more enclosed, textural feel — useful counterpoint to the open coastal views elsewhere on the island. There’s a path to The Maids of Bute, two stone maidens sit quietly on the northern tip of the Isle of Bute staring out to sea.
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Roofless stone settlements that you can stumble across on hillside walks, with long views down to the water.
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If wild seabirds are your bag or even just observing the seascape and landscape with shelter there are various bird hides at Loch Quien, Loch Fad, Kirk Dam, Loch Ascog, Greenan Loch and Etterick Bay (south end). You can sit out of the wind and rain.
Designing Your Retreat
Every retreat is different, and that's the point.
We'll talk through what you want to achieve before you arrive and I'll put together a written estimate based on your plans. Here's how the costs break down:
Studio tuition — £100 per person per day, including inks, cleaning materials, and a basic paper allowance. This is the core of any retreat, and most people build in one to two days of focussed tuition to start.
Island guiding — £45 per person for a half day, £65 for a full day if you'd like me to come with you.
Independent studio time — £25 per person per half day if you'd like to work independently in the studio with me available for the occasional question or bit of input. If you want the space entirely to yourself, standard studio hire rates apply (£10 per half day, £20 per full day).
Printmaking papers — A basic paper selection is included in your tuition days. If you'd like to work on heavier or specialist papers — which can make a real difference to collagraph work in particular — these are available to purchase in the studio, or I can order specific papers in advance if you let me know what you're after.
So a typical two-day retreat — two days of tuition, materials included — comes to £200 per person. A four-day stay — two days tuition plus a day out on the island and a day of independent studio time — typically comes to £285 to £400 per person depending on how you structure it. A 5-day week-long stay, mixing tuition, guiding and independent working, would typically fall in the range of £340–£415 per person plus materials and any additional paper you wish to purchase.
A deposit is required to confirm your booking, with the balance settled at the end of your stay based on actual time and materials. We'll agree an estimate before you arrive so there are no surprises.
Pricing Structure Summary
Studio tuition -
£100 per person per day
Island guiding -
half day (up to 3 hours) - £45 per person per day
full day (up to 6 hours) - £65 per person per day
Independent studio time with occasional input
£25 per half day per person
Independent studio time with no input
£10 per half day -£20 per full day
Inks and materials
Included in tuition days - £5 per person per day during independent work sessions as part of a retreat or on studio hire days
Basic paper allowance
Included in core and extended tuition days
Additional papers
Charged at cost during extended (no tuition - (with or without input) days or during studio hire.
Papers and materials ordered in advance
Charged at cost, arranged during planning and paid for at the time of booking
Worked Examples -
These examples can be adapted.
It may also be possible to offer longer retreats if you want an even fuller immersive experience.
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One-off half day -
£65 per person
2 half day sessions -
£60 per day = £120 per person
3 + half day sessions -
£55 per day = from £165 per person.
If you are a subscriber to Carol’s mailing list - £150 (£50 per day) for 3 or more sessions.
One full day introductory session-
£100 per person
2 day core tuition printmaking retreats -
£200 per person
Materials and paper are included in all the above options.
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2 Days Core Tuition + 1 Day independent consolidation printing with guidance in the studio
£250 per person
£5 for materials + your paper choices on day 3.
Two Days Core Tuition + 1 Day In Depth Tuition.
This can be an additional day to explore your chosen medium in more depth with additional techniques taught. What this covers can be planned and booked in advance, or lead by where you wish to take your learning based on where you’re at after the first two days.£300 per person
Materials and a basic paper allowance are included in this option
Other papers are charged at cost
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2 Days Tuition + 1 Day Island Guiding + 1 independent Studio Day
Without input -
£285 per personWith input -
£290 per person assuming Carol’s input is only required in the morning or afternoon£315 per person assuming Carol’s input is required at times during morning and afternoon
Materials and a basic paper allowance are included in days 1 and 2
+ £5 materials
+ Paper (sold by the full sheet) is charged at cost on an independent studio day that doesn’t include tuition.
3 Days Tuition + 1 day Independent Studio Time
Without input - £320 per person
With input as needed - £325 per person assuming Carol’s input is only required morning or afternoon
£350 per person assuming Carol’s input is required at times during the whole day
Materials and a basic paper allowance are included in days 1, 2 and 3
+ £5 materials
+ Paper (sold by the full sheet) is charged at cost on an independent studio day that doesn’t include tuition.
2 Days Course Tuition + 2 Half Days Island Guiding + 2 Half Days Independent Studio Time
Without input - £285 per person
With input - £340 per person
Materials and a basic paper allowance are included in days 1 and 2
+ £10 materials for 2 half days
+ Paper (sold by the full sheet) is charged at cost on an independent studio day that doesn’t include tuition.
2 Days Core Tuition + 2 Days In Depth Tuition
The additional days tuition will explore other techniques your chosen printmaking medium or could be an opportunity to combine the core tuition medium with other printmaking media.
£400 per person
Materials and a basic paper allowance are included in this option on all days
SHould you wish to use other papers in stock it is sold by the full sheet and charged at cost.
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2 Days Core Tuition + 1 In Depth Tuition Day + 2 Independent Studio Days
Without input - £340 per person
With input - £400 per person
Materials and a basic paper allowance are included in days 1, 2 and 3.
+ £10 materials for days 4 and 5
+ £X for paper days 4 and 5
2 Days Core Tuition + 1 In Depth Tuition Day + 1 Day Island Guiding + 1 Independent Studio Day
Without input - £ 385 per person
With input - £415 per person
Materials and a basic paper allowance are included in days 1, 2 and 3
+ £5 materials
+ £X for paper on last studio day
A note on independent working
I'm happy for confident, experienced printmakers to work independently without ongoing input from me — and the rates reflect that. However, I do reserve the right to assess this on the day. If I feel that someone would benefit from more guidance — whether for safety reasons or to get the best out of their session — I'll always have that conversation kindly and honestly.
My priority is that everyone leaves having had a productive and enjoyable experience, and sometimes that means a little more involvement from me than was originally planned is required. Any adjustment to the session cost will always be discussed and agreed before it's applied.
Getting Here and Making The Most of Your Stay
The Isle of Bute is just 35 minutes from the Scottish west coast mainland by CalMac ferry from Wemyss Bay. If you are travelling around Scotland and coming down the west coast from Oban, you can also access the north end of the island by a 5 minute Calmac ferry from Colintraive.
I'm happy to share recommendations for accommodation, places to eat, and getting around the island, whether you're driving, bike, or bus. E-bikes are available to hire. I’ve written a blog post - Your Complete Guide to Visiting the Isle of Bute — From the Ferry to the Studio and Beyond to help you plan your trip.
Travel Considerations To Bear In Mind In Autumn/Winter
Thinking of visiting in autumn or winter?
The island is quieter, the light is more dramatic, and the studio is warm. Ferry services can occasionally be disrupted by high winds, so I would build in flexibility into off-season bookings, and cosy studio days in challenging weather often produce some of the most interesting work.
A Note on Travel Insurance
I’d strongly recommend you take out travel insurance when you book. A good policy will cover your retreat fee if you need to cancel, as well as any accommodation costs and additional expenses if the ferry is disrupted by bad weather - something worth bearing in mind particularly for off-season visits. It’s a small thing that means both of us can relax and focus on the creative work rather than worrying about what might happen.
Full details of my booking and cancellation policy are on the Booking and Cancellation Policy page - worth a read before you confirm your dates.
Let’s Talk About What You Have in Mind
Tailored retreats are arranged by conversation, not through an online booking form. Drop me an email with a rough idea of what you have in mind — your experience level, any techniques you'd like to focus on, and when you're thinking of coming — and we'll take it from there.