Welcome to the Highland and Islands Galleries Guide

The Highlands and Islands of Scotland have a long and distinct cultural history, which is reflected in the work of the many artists based in the area.  The region now boasts more than 180 galleries, ranging from small working artists' open studios, to modern and spacious purpose-built public galleries - often in places that you would least expect to find them!

Using the Guide

For ease of use, entries have been grouped into regions, as displayed on the active map. Every effort will be made to ensure that the Guide is as comprehensive and accurate as possible. Nonetheless, it may often be useful to phone or e-mail in advance to check the opening times and other arrangements of an individual gallery.
 

History

When HI-Arts published the first printed version of the Visual Arts Guide in 1999, Professor Duncan MacMillian wrote in the Introduction that it was 'not just a useful tool' but also 'a celebration'. And there was indeed much to celebrate in the first comprehensive overview of the many individuals and organisations that promote and present the Visual Arts throughout the Highlands and Islands. At least, that seems to have been the view both of the 124 centres featured in the first and second editions of the printed Guide, and of the many visitors who have made use of the 70,000 guides that were distributed between 1999 and 2003.

The Highlands and Islands of Scotland have a long and distinct cultural history, which is often reflected in the work made by artists based in the area. The prevalence of Gaelic names throughout the Guide also reflects a growing interest in and awareness of the language and its related traditions. Similarly, in the North many artists and galleries display aspects of Norse linguistic and cultural traditions.

The online version of the Gallery Guide now enables us to keep you up-to-date with all the galleries of the Highlands and Islands and their associated exhibitions in a way that was never possible with the printed version.
 

HI-Arts continues to provide support, development and networking for the Visual Arts sector. In this time too, there have been major developments in the sector, including the doubling in size of Taigh Chearsabhagh in North Uist, the first Highlands and Islands tour of a major exhibition curated by the National Galleries of Scotland, and the expansion of two of the region's flagship arts centres - Pier Arts Centre in Orkney and An Lanntair in Stornoway.

In addition to its work with the Visual Arts, HI-Arts piloted a National Crafts Web Portal for Scotland (CraftScotland)within the Highlands and Islands region - now a major resource for Applied Artists across Scotland.

The Guide Publication

The production of a printed version of the Visual Arts Guide for free distribution has always proved costly, and has been supported in the past by both the Scottish Arts Council and Highlands and Islands Enterprise.  We hope to print a third version of the Guide in the future, but this will rely on securing commercial sponsorship.  If you are interested in sponsoring a third edition of this popular Guide, we would be delighted for you to contact us.

Robert Livingston & Marcus Wilson
HI-Arts
Updated August 2007