# Ethereal Landscapes Watercolor Retreat with Artist Kolbie Blume in Scotland Join artist Kolbie Blume for a watercolor retreat in the breathtaking countryside of Scotland. Embrace self-compassion throughout your artistic process and discover joy in every step of your growth. With the support of fellow artists and Kolbie’s clear, encouraging guidance, you will strengthen your creative mindset while exploring watercolor basics, mark-making, and plein-air sketching. Inspiration will flow from the surrounding hills, gardens, orchards, and the serene beauty of the Scottish landscape.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. By the end of the retreat, you will have created an inspiring watercolor collection of your own and formed memories that will stay with you long after your time in Scotland! ## Details - **Dates:** August 30 - September 6, 2026 - **Location:** Buchlyvie, Scotland, UK - **Starting Price:** $4,550 - **Category:** Painting ## Program ### Ethereal Landscapes Watercolor Retreat Join artist Kolbie Blume in the Scottish countryside for a watercolor retreat that inspires and nurtures your inner artist. Slow your pace, breathe in the fresh air, and enjoy the company of others who love to create. With Kolbie’s gentle guidance, you will paint with freedom, set aside limiting beliefs, and grow in self-compassion. Small steps will turn into discoveries, and each brushstroke will bring more joy to your journey.Through live demonstrations and personal support, you will gain courage to face challenges and loosen the grip of perfectionism. This retreat opens its doors to beginners as well as those with experience. Scotland itself becomes part of the inspiration, with days that lead you to Stirling and its winding streets, to the waters of Loch Lomond with Highland hills rising beyond, and to Buchlyvie, where the countryside folds around the village. Sketch during the trips if you feel called to do so, paint if the mood takes you, or simply take in the beauty.All supplies will be waiting for you, from brushes to paper to paint. Simply bring a bag to carry your materials during the art trips, and add any personal favorites if you’d like! Some topics covered in the classes include:Beginner watercolor techniquesBeginner landscape techniquesIntroduction to plein-air paintingBuilding courage through a creative mindsetCreating a sustainable creative practice...and many more. Your venue for this art retreat is a premium 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 gin-tasting event, and a night of traditional Gaelic dancing. ### 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 Kolbie Blume and your fellow artists over delicious wine. ### Day 2: Art at the venue Start your day at the estate with a hearty breakfast and a warm cup of coffee. Afterward, gather with your fellow artists for a relaxed check-in to ease into the rhythm of the retreat and set the tone for your creative path ahead.The morning unfolds with an open group conversation where Kolbie introduces the flow of the course and invites you to set intentions. You might choose to name a goal or simply stay open to whatever the week brings. A few playful warm-ups will help loosen your hand and shift your mindset into creative mode. Kolbie will then introduce watercolor landscapes through a hands-on overview of supplies and techniques. With encouragement to stay curious, you’ll begin your painting journey grounded in attention and presence.After a refreshing lunch, return to your sketchbook and paints for an afternoon of exploration. Learn about glazing, brushwork, and composition, being encouraged to become more familiar with your materials. Practice water control using wet-on-wet, wet-on-dry, and dry brush techniques. Look at color through a new lens and learn to break down the Scottish landscape into approachable shapes. Kolbie will encourage you to approach your work with curiosity and playfulness. After class, take time to relax. In the evening, relax with a nourishing dinner paired with wine, shared in good company as the sky softens over the hills. ### Day 3: Trip to Loch Lomond Enjoy a delicious breakfast before setting off for your first art trip to Loch Lomond, surrounded by the dramatic beauty of Trossachs National Park.After a scenic one-hour drive through rolling hills and forested glens, you’ll arrive at the loch’s edge. The wide, still waters stretch out beneath the sky, reflecting clouds and peaks in a way that feels otherworldly. Small boats drift along the shoreline. Wildflowers bloom along winding paths. The scene is rich with texture and color, offering inspiration at every turn. Wander, sketch, or gather visual notes with your camera. Collect leaves, stones, or twigs if they speak to you. Let the landscape shape your ideas in ways that feel natural and unforced.Return to the estate for a freshly prepared lunch, then settle into the studio for a relaxed afternoon of painting. Kolbie will guide you through mark-making and composition exercises that draw from what you experienced at the loch. Experiment with color and texture using watercolor and ink, and explore how movement and stillness can live together on the page.As the day winds down, sit with Kolbie and the group for a three-course dinner, paired with wine and full of conversation. Stories from the lake ripple through the evening as the sky shifts into deep blue. ### Day 4: Art at the venue Begin your morning with a delicious breakfast with your fellow artists, sharing conversation and inspiration before starting the morning’s art session.With Kolbie’s guidance, spend the day linking your painting practice with mindfulness and open-ended exploration. Use the sketches and references gathered during the trip to Loch Lomond to begin shaping new work. Kolbie will help you sort through your ideas, offering ways to pull threads together and explore what stands out. Try new approaches to layering, texture, and mood as you build pieces that reflect both your surroundings and your personal style.After lunch, return to your workspace for an afternoon focused on watercolor landscapes. Kolbie will walk you through techniques for contrast and layering, with close attention to how color value shapes depth. Build up your compositions by developing simple painting strategies for trees, hills, and distant forms. Play with visual rhythm and balance while paying close attention to how small choices shift the energy of the page.Soak in the hot tub, watch the sky change over the fields, and take a moment to breathe after a full day of painting. As night settles in, gather for a chef-prepared dinner with a glass of wine. The evening ends with Scottish music and dancing, filled with laughter and the kind of energy that lingers. ### Day 5: Trip to Stirling Day five begins with a delightful breakfast before heading out on another art-filled trip to Stirling. You'll visit the historic town and its majestic castle, arriving after a short thirty-minute drive. Stirling sits at the meeting point of Highlands and Lowlands, where wild hills rise beyond the softer slopes of the valley.Your first stop is Stirling Castle, a landmark steeped in stories. First built in the twelfth century, it once served as a royal residence and stronghold. Mary, Queen of Scots, was crowned here. As you walk through its grounds and gaze out from the ramparts, take time to sketch or capture photo references. The castle’s bold shapes, sweeping views, and weathered textures offer endless inspiration.After visiting the castle, you’ll head into the town itself. Stirling holds a mix of winding lanes, narrow stone buildings, and lively modern spots that reflect its layered past. Choose a pub for lunch, browse the shops, or wander at your own pace.The last stop of the day is the Wallace Monument, perched high on a wooded hill. Take in the monument’s striking silhouette, and if the mood strikes, sketch or photograph the views stretching out around it. Pull out your references from the day and begin mixing colors to match what you’ve seen. Kolbie will guide you through mindful painting techniques that help you slow down, tune in, and explore how color choices can shape the feeling of your work. Follow the threads that interest you most.You’ll arrive back just in time for dinner. Sit down to a three-course meal prepared by the chef, share stories with the group, and enjoy the easy rhythm of an evening shaped by art and adventure. ### Day 6: Walk to Buchlyvie & surrounding countryside Start the day with a nourishing breakfast before setting off on a slow walk to the nearby village of Buchlyvie.The path winds through open fields with long views across the hills. Take your time, breathe in the fresh air, and notice the colors shifting in the grass and wildflowers as you walk. Once in the village, move at your own pace. Browse the pottery shop, step inside a café, or explore side streets and quiet lanes that open into the countryside. If something catches your eye, pause to sketch or take photos. The walk there and back offers as much inspiration as the village itself.After returning to the estate and enjoying lunch, settle in for a creative afternoon shaped by what you saw during the morning. Kolbie will guide you through intuitive painting exercises that encourage mark-making, layering, and expressive brushwork. Try new shapes, loosen your grip, and let the landscape filter into your work in unexpected ways. Kolbie will help you stay connected to your instincts, shift through creative blocks, and strengthen your ability to teach yourself through observation.In the late afternoon, gather for a special gin tasting featuring local varieties that reflect the region’s character. As evening falls, gather for a chef-prepared dinner and unwind over a generous meal and the comfort of good company. ### Day 7: Art at the venue Kick off the last day of the retreat with a filling breakfast, setting the tone for a day of reflection and creative flow.Spend the morning bringing together the pieces of your week. With Kolbie’s support, begin shaping a small collection of work that captures your personal experience in Scotland. Look through your sketches, reference photos, and paintings, and choose the ideas that still feel alive. Plan a series of three pieces that speak to each other. Paint with clarity and instinct, allowing room for emotion and imperfection. Kolbie will be there to guide you through the moments where things feel uncertain, helping you stay connected to your voice and momentum.After lunch, gather with the group for a celebratory mini-exhibition. Lay out your paintings, share what you’ve made, and enjoy seeing how each person’s work reflects the same landscape in a different way. The atmosphere is full of warmth and pride, with quiet encouragement and surprise at how much has taken shape.As night falls, come together for a farewell dinner paired with wine. Carry the joy of the retreat with you, along with a collection of artwork that holds the spirit of the week! ### 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 - **Kolbie Blume** - Watercolor artist and writer ## Accommodation ### Scottish farm estate ### Shared standard room ### Shared superior ensuite room (female only) ### 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 ## Book This Retreat Visit [https://uptrek.com/retreat/ethereal-landscapes-watercolor-retreat-artist-kolbie-blume-scotland](https://uptrek.com/retreat/ethereal-landscapes-watercolor-retreat-artist-kolbie-blume-scotland) to make a reservation. *Provided by [UpTrek](https://uptrek.com)*