7 minute read
Inveraray
With its bright waterfront buildings, sparkling harbour, and backdrop of dramatic hills and forest, Inveraray makes a charming first impression that only hints at the experiences to come.
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Take a stroll through the quaint town and discover a lovely selection of independent shops, cafes and the popular George Hotel with its fl agstones, settles, original 1770’s stone walls, open fi re and stunning beer garden. You’ll fi nd gifts, jewellery, whisky shops, souvenirs, traditional fi sh and chips, a chemist, outdoor wear and a family butcher, among many others. Inveraray Castle, the fairytale home of Clan Campbell and the current Duke of Argyll, is the town’s chief attraction and was once the setting for a Downton Abbey Christmas special. Its armoury hall displays an impressive collection of weapons, including the handle of outlaw Rob Roy’s dagger. More sedate highlights are the state dining room and the tapestry drawing room, and the well-cared-for gardens. Echoes of Inveraray’s murkier past are part of its appeal too. In the 1800s, Inveraray Jail housed off enders from convicted killers to children caught stealing apples. Today, the jail is a living museum where costumed guides tell stories of former inmates and visitors can try out punishments and experience the excitement of a trial in the courtroom.
Perched on a hilltop high above Loch Fyne, the Dun na Cuaiche watchtower is the stone guardian of Inveraray. The 18th-century viewpoint is a relatively short, though challenging walk from Inveraray Castle car park, and provides staggering view of the Fyne Valley – the town, castle, celebrated bell tower and loch can all be seen from the shelter.
A day trip to Inveraray can also encompass living history at Auchindrain, a farming township (a few miles south of the town) that has been carefully preserved. Head north-east from Inveraray town and you reach Cairndow, a scenic hamlet that is home to the celebrated Loch Fyne Oyster Bar and Farm Shop and, for families, the recently-opened Fyne Den play space. At the very tip of Loch Fyne is Ardkinglas, the stately home and estate that includes Ardkinglass Woodland Garden, home to a remarkable collection of plants and ‘champion’ trees, including some of the tallest, and oldest trees in Britain.
picture perfect at The Harbour Gallery The Harbour Gallery
Acclaimed artist Stuart Herd’s love of rugby and landscapes can be found at his three west coast galleries: Tarbert, Ullapool and Inveraray
Sporting success can be fl eeting and pass in an instant, but Stuart Herd, owner of The Harbour Gallery, is ensuring that these glorious, treasured moments will last forever. Stuart’s exquisite brushwork has captured some of the most defi ning moments in rugby. From Scotland’s stunning Calcutta Cup 2021 win at Twickenham last year, to England and Wales, France v Scotland, the British and Irish Lions against South Africa last summer, with more to come during this season’s Six Nations and the road to the World Cup in 2023. Stuart has established three busy galleries in Scotland, the Harbour Galleries, which are situated along the West Coast of the country, which showcase original paintings and prints by the artist and owner, alongside other local artists’ work, including jewellery, memorabilia and ceramics. Stuart said: ‘I started painting full time more than 20 years ago. I went to art college briefl y but left to work in photography, and did that whilst travelling around the world in diff erent jobs and on diff erent treks. I’ve stayed in a lot of places, but was always drawing and painting at the same time. ‘I had a job as an art auctioneer at Sandals Resorts in Jamaica but left it after six months and made my living on the island as an artist for another two-and-a-half years! This was tough work, but I thought, if I can make my living out there, I can do it anywhere. So, I decided to come home and set up in Scotland as an artist.’
Stuart’s work depicts recognisable locations from throughout Scotland, especially in and around the locations of his three galleries, in Tarbert, Ullapool and Inveraray. His distinctive style also sees him paint Highland cows on canvas, as well as paintings on top of Ordnance Survey maps. The artist continues: ‘I mostly work with acrylics but I do oil now and again. ‘I’ll sit and sketch if I have the time, but the majority of my work is done from photographs in the studio, but for me that’s part of the process: you look for an angle and work from that. You use the camera to capture that angle, especially if you are going to paint a building, as my work is quite realistic I need that detail.
‘But I never work on one painting from start to fi nish. I’m always jumping around!’ Stuart’s attention to detail can be seen in his rugby prints, especially those capturing match action, with the stadia in the background – some of the players who have appeared in his paintings have bought the originals. Stuart says: ‘ The Last Scrum Before The Try was done in February last year, and I’ve done a limited edition print run of 500, and well over three-quarters have sold already. That went really well. ‘I have done a few more Scottish paintings, then I painted the Springboks versus the Lions in the fi rst Test. One of the Lions’ front row got in touch afterwards and bought the original. ‘It’s varied subject matter, from the rugby art to Scottish landscapes, to European cityscapes, to superyachts on nautical charts. I have exhibited in galleries across Europe.’ Stuart’s work can be found in corporate and private collections worldwide.
But owning art galleries wasn’t part of Stuart’s original plan. After an accident which saw him lose an eye. He struggled to paint for more than a year during surgery, and ended up having to have his eye removed. It was during this time he decided to start his business career and opened his fi rst gallery. He says: ‘Although I’m an artist, I also own three galleries, in Ullapool, Tarbert and Inveraray. Some 90 per cent of the artwork sold there is done by myself, from £2,000 originals to £20 prints.’ The Harbour Gallery, Tarbert, is located on the Harbour Front and his studio is also on the Quay. The newly opened Inveraray Gallery in Argyll is situated on the Main Street, while the Ullapool gallery can be found in the heart of the village. Although the galleries are far apart in terms of mileage, Stuart uses the time when travelling between them to fi nd new regions and to explore new ideas for future paintings.
