Paint Scotland: A Plein Air Retreat in the Highlands
October 11–17, 2026
📍 Inveraray, Scotland | Loch Fyne & Beyond
Pack your painting gear and step into a storybook plein air retreat and paint Scotland! Join world-renowned artist Lori McNee for a plein air retreat in one of the most picturesque corners of Scotland. Based in the charming lochside village of Inveraray, this workshop offers four full days of immersive painting, six nights of cozy accommodations, and guided excursions to some of the most stunning and historic sites in the Highlands.
Here's the backstory on how it all came to be...A Highland Homecoming: Announcing My 2026 Plein Air Retreat!
This will be the ultimate way to paint Scotland, from castles and ancient churches to quaint harbors and misty hills, each location is carefully chosen to inspire. There's also plenty of time for independent exploration, sketching, and connecting with fellow creatives over Highland meals and music.
**All mediums are welcome, I will demo in oil and gouache.
Sample Itinerary
(Subject to change depending on weather and light)
Sunday, October 11
Arrive in Inveraray, settle in at the historical George Hotel, and breathe in the Highland air. Optional welcome walk or pub meetup.
Monday, October 12 – Loch Fyne Dock
10am – Painting demo by the loch
12–4pm – Individual instruction at student easels
Tuesday, October 13 – Saint Conan’s Kirk + Artist Dinner
10am – Painting demo in the atmospheric church grounds
12–4pm – Painting session
Evening – Optional Dutch treat dinner & artist social at The George Hotel
Wednesday, October 14 – Auchindrain Historic Village
10am – Painting demo among thatched croft buildings
12–4pm – Individual instruction and open sketching
Thursday, October 15 – Loch Fyne, Northern Viewpoint
10am – Painting demo with sweeping loch views
12–4pm – Individual instruction
Optional hike to Dun na Cuaiche overlook above Inveraray Castle
Friday, October 16 – Free Day
Paint independently, explore nearby castles, or simply relax
7pm – Optional farewell dinner & music at The George Hotel
Saturday, October 17
Farewell hugs, sketchbook swaps, and safe travels home
Retreat Highlights & Painting Locations
🏰 Inveraray Village – A planned Georgian town from 1745, rich with 18th-century charm and lochside elegance.
🖼️ Loch Fyne Dock – A historic harbor dating back to the 1700s, perfect for capturing light, boats, and reflective waters.
⛪ Saint Conan’s Kirk – Built 1881–1930, using stones from Iona Abbey (founded 563 AD). Mystical, moody, and timeless.
🛖 Auchindrain Historic Village – Inhabited since the 1500s, with original crofts and cottages preserved from the 17th–19th centuries.
🌄 Loch Fyne – Northern Viewpoint – Sweeping vistas and ever-changing light. A peaceful setting full of natural drama.
🥾 Optional Hike: Dun na Cuaiche Overlook – A scenic trail to an 18th-century folly with panoramic views over Inveraray Castle, the loch, and the valley.
🏰 Inveraray Castle (1746–1789) – Built on the site of a 15th-century fortress, and still home to the Duke of Argyll. Optional excursion.
🏯 Kilchurn Castle (circa 1450) – A hauntingly beautiful ruin on Loch Awe, perfect for dramatic compositions and moody skies.
Workshop Details
- 6 nights lodging (Sunday–Saturday)
- 4 full days of painting demos and instruction
- Optional artist dinners & local events
Rates:
- $2295 double occupancy
- $2995 single occupancy
- $1850 non-painter (shared)
- $200 deposit holds your spot
🖌️ Limited space – already half full!
To Reserve Your Spot:
- Email Lori at lori@lorimcnee.com to check current availability.
- Once confirmed, mail your $200 deposit (or full payment) by check to:
Elaine K. Miller
Workshop Organizer
46 Dudley Rd.
Brentwood, NH 03833
Make checks payable to: Elaine K. Miller
Painting in Scotland: Capturing the Highlands with a Limited Palette
This October, I joined a group to paint the Scottish Highlands. Scotland’s beauty is raw and mysterious, filled with vibrance, subtlety, melancholy, and magic.
To capture the dramatic landscape and unique atmosphere, I used a limited palette of colors.
Our home base was the picturesque town of Inveraray on Loch Fyne The tour was led by renowned tonalist, and fellow artist, John MacDonald.
Each day was full of painting, rain, sunshine, ancient castles, and great company. We soaked up Scottish culture, from Cullen Skink and haggis to bagpipes, sheep-dotted hills and historic landscapes.
We even enjoyed the sound of bagpipes, the sight of fuzzy sheep, and the company of friends sharing great conversations and laughter.
I used a limited palette from my Lori McNee Signature Set by Royal Talens, with just six colors: Titanium White, Cadmium Lemon, Ultramarine Blue, Permanent Green Deep, Madder Lake, and Transparent Oxide Red.
To my surprise, this limited palette captured Scotland’s moody skies, lush greens, and earthy tones with ease.
Using a limited palette was pleasingly versatile which allowed me to quickly capture the shifting light and textures of Scotland’s landscapes.
Painting in Scotland felt especially meaningful because of my Scottish heritage. Immersed in these landscapes I felt a deep connection to my Celtic roots and my ancestors.
On rainy days, I worked from photos, especially for Kilchurn Castle, but the rest of my paintings were created en plein air to reflect Scotland’s shifting light.
Each finished piece holds a memory of both place and experience—a small study that retells the story of this inspiring journey.
I’m excited to announce that I’ll be leading my own painting retreat in Scotland soon!
And for those interested in the English countryside, I’ll also be hosting a plein air experience in the the Cotswolds in May 2025. Stay tuned for more details—I’d love to have you join me!
I’d be delighted to have you join me on these unforgettable adventures.
https://lorimcnee.com/events/paint-scotland-a-plein-air-retreat-in-the-highlands/
If you’d love to explore these breathtaking landscapes through an artist’s eyes, stay tuned—I’d be delighted to have you join me on these unforgettable adventures.
***Email me for more information: lori@lorimcnee.com
View this post on Instagram