An Ealdhain Arts Trust and the Lime Tree Gallery in Fort William are exhibiting works from the Royal Scottish Academy (RSA).
While Fort William is famously regarded as the “outdoor capital of the UK” of late, it’s this indoor attraction that’s been grabbing the headlines.
It is the first time that works from a Scottish national collection have gone on display in the town. The showing is a real coup and marks the launch of the An Ealdhain Arts Trust and its annual exhibition programme. Working in partnership with the town’s Lime Tree Gallery, the trust is presenting the exhibition, entitled A Window to the West, as part of a larger exhibition and educational events programme designed to bring world-renowned art to the west Highlands and promote the creation of new work. The success of previous exhibitions held by the Lime Tree Gallery showed evidence of demand for a high-calibre annual arts programme which the trust intends to deliver.
The exhibition showcases paintings, sketches and photographic works by some of Scotland’s most iconic and innovative artists. Spanning a period of nearly 200 years, it features the work of William Beattie Brown RSA and Sir William Gillies RSA and the contemporary works of Frances Walker RSA and Alex Boyd. It’s particularly exciting for the trust to be able to showcase these iconic works, as it was the local landscapes that inspired their creation.
Trustee Karen MacGregor said: “For too long, there has been a dearth of access to art on the west coast of Scotland, and yet it is one of the most inspiring and much-painted destinations in the country. There are widespread examples of the public travelling great distances to the central belt and to London to view major exhibitions. Now, you don’t need to do that; just come to Fort William.”
David Wilson, of the Lime Tree Gallery, said they had received incredible support from the late politician Charles Kennedy.
Mr Wilson said: “I’m sure he’d have been delighted that the doors he helped open for us have led eventually to a Scottish national art collection finally taking a leap of faith and exhibiting here in Fort William. For too long, people in north-west Highlands have been ignored by the five Scottish national collection.
“It was easier getting shows from English collections, but now the RSA is here showing a Scottish national collection for the first time in Fort William. I hope this precedent encourages other Scottish national collections to exhibit what are essentially artworks that belong to us all, here in the Highlands.”
Murdo Macdonald, an honorary member of the RSA and professor of history of Scottish art, University of Dundee, who was the special guest at the exhibition opening earlier this month, said: “An Ealdhain Arts Trust is a wonderful initiative. It makes art of the highest quality available in the heart of the Highlands – Fort William.
“Its first exhibition, Window to the West, draws on the exceptional collection of art relating to the Highlands in the collection of the Royal Scottish Academy.
“It was my good fortune to be asked to open it. It is well selected and
beautifully displayed. Every work is in its way a highlight, whether it is an almost abstract oil painting of Rocks and Water, Morar made by William Gillies in the 1930s, or an etched artist’s book from 2003, Crossing to Finlaggan, by Frances Walker. Most recent of all are extraordinary monochrome photographs of Skye made in 2013 by Alex Boyd when he was RSA artist in residence at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig. But that just scratches the surface of this excellent show, which bodes well for this excellent initiative.”
In bringing artwork to the area, the trust and partners are offering free access to collections that, until now, have never been available to residents and visitors to Fort William and the surrounding areas.
It’s a fantastic initiative and one that should be supported wholeheartedly by locals and those visiting the area.
An Ealdhain Arts Trust welcomes volunteers, sponsors and patrons to help grow the programme. If you’d like to offer support, contact Joanna Macaulay at info@anealdhainartstrust.co.uk
Fact Box
What: Exhibition, A Window to the West
Where: Lime Tree Gallery, Achintore Road, Fort William.
When: The exhibition can be seen daily from10am-8pm until Sunday, August 30.
Cost: Admission free.
Contact: www.anealdhainartstrust.co.uk