Whisky in the frame

A new art gallery looks set to be a dram fine place to visit, writes Susan Welsh

Published:

The Ealain Gallery in Drymen has been granted a licence to sell whisky

LAST Wednesday was a red-letter day for the owners of the Ealain Gallery in Drymen, and whisky connoisseurs in Scotland.

Visitors to the art gallery can now nip in for something more than art and contemporary jewellery – a selection of rare and unusual whiskies.

The Ealain Gallery in West Stirlingshire – pronounced ya-lin, it is the Gaelic word for art – opened its doors last November as the dream of husband and wife Cameron and June McCann.

Mrs McCann, who used to work as a manager for a travel company, set up her own art exhibition company three years ago, displaying her collection twice a year in the family home and at various venues including House of Beauly’s Celtic Festival, Gleneagles Hotel and Inverness Airport.

She soon expanded, opening a dedicated gallery in Drymen which features contemporary Scottish art, gifts and jewellery. Last week, the gallery gained a licence to sell whisky, much to the delight of Cameron McCann, a former police officer, who has long had a passion for both art and whisky.

“The gallery offers a broad range of malts and blends, ranging from £30 to £2,500, many of which are rare and unusual and cannot be found on the high street,” said Mr McCann.

Almost everything showcased in the gallery originates in Scotland, including the artwork, whisky, jewellery and gifts.

“We get our artwork from all over the country, and all of our artists are Scottish except one who is Welsh. He lives in Scotland, though, so we let him off.”

The gallery features works by world-renowned artists and emerging young talent, and while some may think it risky opening an art gallery in the current financial climate, those in the know financially suggest that purchasing original artwork, particularly that of an up and coming talent, still represents a sound financial investment for the long term.

Reflecting on the new addition to the gallery, Mr McCann couldn’t be happier: “It’s a hobby that we’ve developed into a business, with clients all over the country and the world.”

Ealain Gallery is on Main Street, Drymen, Stirlingshire, in the heart of the Trossachs National Park. The gallery is open daily, Monday to Saturday, from 10am-5.30m, and from noon until 4pm on Sundays.