Argyll Hope Spot

The first Hope Spot in mainland UK https://linktr.ee/ArgyllHopeSpot

04/09/2026

A wee snippet of artworks in progress for Cèilidh na Mara’s exhibition
This exhibition features work from the 2025 Argyll Hope Spot Snorkelling Residency cohort, spanning sculpture, poetry, illustration, animation and filmmaking.

EXHIBITION DATES Open everyday from Saturday 12th September - Sunday 12th October, 10am-4pm.

EXHIBITION OPENING Friday 11th September, 7pm.
Inspired by the traditional Taigh Cèilidh—a gathering where stories, songs, poetry and artwork are shared in a home setting, practiced in the Gàidhealtachd - guests are encouraged to bring along tales, tunes and art inspired by the seas of Argyll. All are welcome. Refreshments provided.

RSPV on The Rockfield Centre’s website (via the Whats On page).

This programme is supported by Argyll Hope Spot, The Rockfield Centre, CHArts Argyll and Isles, Creative Scotland, na Gàidhlig, and Argyll and Bute Council.

01/09/2026

Ever wondered about the names for seaweed species in Gaelic? Here's a few collected by artist and illustrated.

31/08/2026

Cèilidh na Mara - About us

Cèilidh na Mara is a collaborative project, bringing together eight artists from across Scotland. Inspired by our shared experience on the 2025 Argyll Hope Spot residency exploring marine habitats, ecosystems, culture and heritage.

Artists include
Beth Anderson
Freya Lennox
Janette Ayachi
Kate Millbank
Georgia Crook
Helen Woolston
Sarah Farrell
Kirsty Currie

With support from

Ross Christie
Rhona Dougall
Danielle Banks
Keira Anderson
The Rockfield Centre

And the following organisations
Argyll Hope Spot
CHArts Argyll and Isles
Creative Scotland
Bord na Gàidhlig
Argyll and Bute Council

photos Louise Scammell, Keira Anderson, Freya Lennox
Graphics/ illustration Kirsty Currie

28/08/2026

Yesterday at The Argyllshire Gathering Oban Games! It was an absolute blast to be in the Heritage Tent on a sunny day, bagpipes piping away and visitors streaming through. We loved chatting to you all and making prints and drawings.

Thanks to Freya Lennox for leading this very fun printing activity with hand carved stamps. Participants stamped with flameshells, sea squirts, sticklebacks, barnacles, oysters and seaweeds. And tried relief printing with collected seaweeds.

For more of this, check out our artists' programme, Cèilidh na Mara coming up at the The Rockfield Centre on the 12th September (the exhibition will be on for longer.) There's a variety of things to try and tickets are 'pay what you feel' to suit all budgets. Pay What You Feel is a system where you can give the suggested amount, or less if you can't manage it this month. Or more if you want to support the work and help more things like this happen!

Book tickets here: https://www.ticketsource.com/therockfieldcentre

25/08/2026

We'll be at the Argyllshire Gathering on Thursday the 27th August, in the Heritage Tent at Mossfield Stadium in Oban. Here's what we did last year with jeweller alongside some underwater drawing!

This year, come along and say hello for a chat, then do some relief printing with seaweeds and use hand carved stamps with Hope Spot artist who is working towards the Cèilidh na Mara exhibition in next month (opening on the 11th September).

24/08/2026

Cèilidh na Mara - Workshops

Saturday 12th of September

Come along to The Rockfield Centre for an exciting range of workshops delivered by artists based across Scotland, inspired by Argyll’s unique marine environment and cultural heritage

With workshops from
Beth Anderson
Freya Lennox
Helen Woolston
Georgia Crook

Find out more information at therockfieldcentre.org.uk!
This programme is supported by Argyll Hope Spot,The Rockfield Centre, CHArts Argyll and Isles, Creative Scotland, Bòrd na Gàidhlig, and Argyll and Bute Council.

photos Keira Anderson, Freya Lennox and Beth Anderson
Graphics/ illustration Kirsty Currie

20/08/2026

Join Loch Leven Sea Savers' water sampling event!
1st September 6pm
Ballachulish Hall

This is the third year running that The Loch Leven Sea Savers have been sampling their water. They’ve secured bathing water status for the peninsula!

"We’ll be holding our annual community water sampling event for the third year running on the 1st of September in Ballachulish Hall at 6pm. During this event we will be collecting samples from our local waters surrounding Glencoe, Kinlochleven, Ballachulish, North Ballachulish and Onich to test for traces of E Coli and Enterocccus which are tracers for sewage. We are inviting people to come help us take these samples, and we would love to welcome some new faces!"

Check this event page for more info! https://fb.me/e/aoar5Q2ZZ

17/08/2026

Join us for the opening of our exhibition and programme for Cèilidh na Mara, a celebration of Argyll's unique marine environment and cultural heritage through creative practice.

EXHIBITION DATES
Open everyday from Saturday 12th September - Sunday 12th October, 10am-4pm.

This exhibition features work from the 2025 Argyll Hope Spot Snorkelling Residency cohort, spanning sculpture, poetry, illustration, animation and filmmaking.

EXHIBITION OPENING
Friday 11th September, 7pm
Inspired by the traditional Taigh Cèilidh, a gathering where stories, songs, poetry and artwork are shared in a home setting, practiced in the Gàidhealtachd - guests are encouraged to bring along tales, tunes and art inspired by the seas of Argyll. All are welcome. Refreshments provided.

RSPV on The Rockfield Centre’s website (Check the whats on page and scroll down to September).

This programme is supported by Argyll Hope Spot , The Rockfield Centre, CHArts Argyll and Isles, Creative Scotland Bòrd na Gàidhlig, and Argyll and Bute Council

Photos Beth Anderson
Graphics/ illos Kirsty Currie

15/08/2026

Here’s what Friends of the Sound of Jura are doing to protect native oysters in Loch Sween.

People have expressed concern that the native oyster population in Loch Sween has declined! So Friends of the Sound of Jura looked out the 2013 oyster survey and are coordinating a new survey to check to see if this is the case.

And not just this! The Tayvallich Wildlife Club signed up to help Friends of the Sound of Jura, and Highlands Rewilding put up signs around the loch. Do not take the native oysters! It’s illegal!

The Loch Sween Marine Protected Area was set up, in part, to protect the native oysters. At that time this was one of the three best places in Scotland for the molluscs. Oysters filter seawater and their shells build reefs, providing homes and nursery areas for many other species, including commercially valuable fish and shellfish.

Photos from NatureScot and Highlands Rewilding.

12/08/2026

We're so glad to share that tickets are now available for Cèilidh na Mara, a celebration of Argyll's unique marine environment and cultural heritage through creative practice, taking place at The Rockfield Centre from the 11th of September to the 12th of October.

Book via the Rockfield website https://www.therockfieldcentre.org.uk/whats-on
(Click on 'What's On' and scroll down the page to September).

This programme is supported by Argyll Hope Spot, The Rockfield Centre CHArts Argyll and Isles, Creative Scotland, Bòrd na Gàidhlig, and Argyll and Bute Council

Address

Ardfern

Website

https://www.argyllhopespot.scot/

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