Arran Arts Heritage Trail

Launched in 2021, this project aims to tell the story of the Arran’s long-standing influence on artists and the arts and to recognise and celebrate this artistic heritage and legacy. 

Appointed as Project Manager, I was asked to oversee and deliver the project working with an appointed small team alongside a community of volunteers. This involved creating a brand-new heritage trail across the island and coordinating, researching and developing a database of renowned artists influenced by the landscapes and culture of Arran. The physical trail across the island was created using reclaimed red Arran sandstone.

In addition to delivering the project, I managed and chaired the launch of the Trail through a one day academic symposium ‘Arran an Artistic Legacy’. The symposium was opened by broadcaster and journalist Kirsty Wark and saw new research presented by the Scottish Women in the Arts Research Network including the University of Glasgow, the Hunterian Museum, Paisley Museum, the National Galleries of Scotland and Glasgow School of Art. It also included the Alasdair Gray Archive and artist Richard Demarco. It marked the launch of Eardley 100 a year-long programme marking the birth of the artist Joan Eardley, with a short film Tabernacle which I co-wrote about her early influences on Arran. Further information about the trail can be found at Arran Arts Heritage Trail.