Suilven from the slopes of Canisp
From Canisp, a bit of a rainbow during a hail shower
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Visit: ‘the gallery on the corner’, 34 Northumberland St, Edinburgh, EH3 6LS
‘In the Flow Country, Sutherland’
It’s a busy and exciting time to be in Edinburgh at the moment, but if you’re already getting a little over ‘festivalled’ and are seeking something a little different to do, why not visit ‘the gallery on the corner’. In this small contemporary gallery, set on the corner of Northumberland St and Dundas Street, just a short walk from the city centre, you’ll find a wonderful selection of work by a broad range of artists. It’s the perfect place to get away from the rush of the city and to enjoy some new and different art …..and maybe buy yourself something special.
I’ve been showing work at ‘the gallery on the corner’ since it opened in 2010 and as patron to the gallery I am, of course, going to be a little biased. That said though, every time I visit the gallery I always get a really good feeling about it. It’s bright and welcoming and friendly ….and above all, there’s always a really interesting and exciting selection of work to see.
Here are images of the three paintings I currently have at the gallery, but to see the full range of artists work available, take a visit to the gallery itself.
‘Low tide, Harris’
‘On the Pentland Hills, March’
Visiting the Gallery
The gallery is open from Tuesday to Saturday, 11.00am to 5.00pm
34 Northumberland St, Edinburgh, EH3 6LS
Tel: 0131 557 8969
“Please note that the gallery does not have wheelchair access. There are seven steps down into the gallery making wheelchair access difficult, however if you contact us prior to visiting we will do our best to accommodate you.”
To learn more about this great little gallery and to see images of some of the other artists work, you can visit their website:
http://www.thegalleryonthecorner.org.uk/
Gallery On The Corner – Map
Posted in abstract scottish landscape paintings, Galleries with Keith Salmon artwork, Information Updates, Painting Themes 
Tags: 'In the Flow Country, 'Low tide, 'On the Pentland Hills, autistic artist, autistic artists, contemporary art gallery, edinburgh, Harris, Keith Salmon, March’, Scotland, Sutherland, The Gallery on the Corner 
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‘The Gallery on the Corner’
If you’ve read these blogs over the last couple of years you’ll know that I’ve been involved, albeit to a very small degree, in ‘the gallery on the corner’ in Edinburgh. The gallery, which was set up by Autism Initiative, Scotland, has a dual purpose….. to operate as a professional but ‘inclusive’ gallery exhibiting and promoting the work of artists affected by autism or other health issues, whilst at the same time providing a real working environment in which young people affected by autism can train and learn genuine work based skills and gain a recognised qualification.
‘The Gallery on the Corner’ opened in April 2010 and a few months prior to this I had been invited to act as patron. I first visited the gallery while the builders were still busy but was instantly impressed by the professionalism and real enthusiasm of the team who had been tasked with the rather daunting job of establishing this new and rather special art gallery in Edinburgh’s main gallery district. When I arrived on the day of its launch, I knew that the right people were at the helm, the gallery looked fantastic, bright and modern and with a fantastic selection of work, all exhibited to a very professional and high standard. The gallery employed five apprentices working on either the retail side, (upstairs with the public) or on the artistic side, honing their skills as artists in the studio / work areas downstairs below the gallery.
It is now just a little over two years since the gallery opened and on Wednesday last week there was cause for celebration ….the first five apprentices had all very successfully completed their training, (both in the work place and at college) and it was time to present them with their certificates. It was an emotional time for all at Autism Initiative Scotland and especially those working at the gallery and it was fantastic to see how well the trainees had done …indeed, one of the trainees has already had a number of important commissions and his work has received much interest and media coverage.
For me, it has been a real pleasure to be involved with the gallery on the corner, to watch the progress and to see the very successful completion of the first cycle of apprenticeships. I try and visit the gallery several times a year, to attend exhibition previews, to deliver or collect work, or simply to call in for a chat. The very high standards set at the start have been maintained and I think this gallery offers something special for the gallery goer. …the work is of a high standard but it often has something you don’t always see …a bit of an ‘edge’. It obviously takes a bit of time for folk to ‘find’ a new business, especially in the gallery rich area in which it’s located, but from what I hear, I think people are starting to realise that the gallery on the corner offers something a little bit different. If you live in Edinburgh and haven’t visited the gallery yet, then I would strongly recommend that you do so.
Finally I have to add my congratulations to the five trainees, whose hard work has made this very special gallery a success. My congratulations too, to all the people involved in establishing and running the gallery, especially the gallery manager Susie and her two assistants Paul and Rob ….they’re all seriously good at their jobs.
For further information about ‘the gallery on the corner’, visit: http://www.thegalleryonthecorner.org.uk/
Posted in Exhibitions, Information Updates, Studio Tags: art gallery, Autism Initiative, edinburgh, Scotland, The Gallery on the Corner No Comments »
Ben Oss from just above the gold mine on Beinn Chuirn
The last time we went to walk Beinn Chuirn, (in the winter a couple of years ago) we encountered difficult conditions ….well, for me they were anyway! There was virtually no snow, but it had been very cold for quite a long period and so there was a lot of ice ….thick and black amongst the grass and rocks. I was really struggling to see it and this made for very slow progress. After several hours we were only a little over half way up and with the prospect of having to descend on this slippery ground, we decided to cut our losses and retreat. It was disappointing but wise ….and we had checked out a very good route up the hill ….perfect for a return trip in more favourable conditions.
as we thought…it was steep
On Thursday last week, with a reasonable forecast, (well at least not torrential rain all day) we finally got to go back to Beinn Chuirn and complete our previously curtailed route. Beinn Chuirn lies on the north side of Cononish Glen, opposite Beinn Dubhchraig and Ben Oss ….and next door to its much larger neighbour Ben Lui. It took us about an hour and a quarter to walk along the estate tracks to a point just short of the hill. A large track leads uphill from Cononish Farm to the entrance of a now disused gold mine. The tunnel entrance leading under the mountain is sealed but a set of tracks leads out and there are still sheds there …presumably when the price of gold rises they’ll start working again.
Overlooking the corrie, Beinn Chuirn
Anyway, our route led up into the dramatic and rocky little corrie and then steeply up by way of a grass and rock ridge until the broad easy angled upper slopes were reached. It makes for an exhilarating walk, the ground dropping away steeply on both sides and behind you and as we reached the steepest section near the top I felt glad we had turned back the previous winter! We were lucky this time though, as despite the dark heavy clouds, the rain kept away and we had good views in what was very clear air. The top of the hill is littered with boulders and strangely layered outcrops of rock ….very beautiful natural sculptures. Beyond these was the summit cairn ….the perfect lunch spot with views of mountains in every direction.
Being watched!
As we ate our lunch though, the cloud started to descend onto Ben Lui and it became pretty obvious that we were in for a soaking. Our route back did a wide circuit down easy angled grass slopes before a final steep section led back to the track in the glen. Some way below the summit though, Nita spotted that we were not alone on the hill. Above us standing on the sky line was a large stag …watching us carefully. Despite the rain the views were still dramatic in the dark and gloomy light. We were back in Tyndrum in time for a pizza at the Green Welly and back home in Irvine at the reasonably respectable time of nine o’clock. Another great day in the Scottish Highlands and maybe even one that I’ll get a painting or two out of?
'Heading for Goat Fell ...on the 7am ferry'
Talk about leaving it a bit late, we took the decision to head over to Arran for a walk up Goat Fell yesterday, after I got back from the studio on Wednesday evening. Not the greatest of preparations but thankfully we had some bread rolls in the freezer and a supply of Lucozade …it wouldn’t be the best packed lunch in the world but good enough.
It’s been pretty miserable up here in Scotland for the last few days with rain and high winds but as we put the rucksacks into the car for the short drive to the ferry …at about 6.15am …there was just enough light to see that the sky was virtually cloud free …it was looking good.
As you may have noticed from the blogs, we haven’t been out on the hill for a good few weeks now. I’ve just been so busy at the studio that with one thing and another …coupled with many days of low grey cloud and rain …well we just never managed to get out. I’ve been wanting to go and walk my 50th Corbett but still haven’t decided which hill that will be and so on Wednesday evening we just wanted somewhere to go that would stretch the legs and give great views …what better place to go than Goat Fell over on the Isle of Arran. On a clear day the views from its summit must be some of the best in Scotland and for us living just across the water in Irvine; it has the advantage of virtually no driving, and the luxury of getting breakfast during the 55 minute crossing between Ardrossan and Brodick. You arrive in the picturesque little town of Brodick and can see many of the big Arran hills (including Goat Fell) rising just to the north. You don’t even have to catch a bus to the base of the hill …there is a wonderful path that picks it’s way between the golf course and the sea all the way to below Brodick castle where the main ‘tourist’ path starts and the wonderful Arran Brewery has it’s home.
'On Goat Fell'
Everything looked so beautiful as we walked along the beach the final few hundred metres to the start of the Goat Fell path. The sea was an intense blue and the trees were just starting to take on that autumn colouring. The path picks its way up and around the edge of Brodick Castle gardens ….heading through a mixture of trees and habitat. After a while it reaches a small fast flowing stream with a wee bridge over it. I can remember a few years back when this bridge was just a fairly narrow affaire with no hand rail …I used to shuffle my way over it, worrying that I’d miss the edge and end up getting a soaking! No worries now …as I say, there’s a proper little bridge in place. About this point you get to the edge of the trees and the path turns and runs across a fairly level section heading for the shoulder of the hill. We had seen just two other folk at this time and it was so peaceful as we wandered along the stony path. Already the views to the south were impressive …but there was also a lot of very low cloud out there and we worried that this was the ‘weather’ that the forecast had said was due in later that day …arrived early as it were.
Once onto the ridge the path is nearly all rock …hours and hours of time and hard work moving greet stones and boulders into place, utilizing the natural outcrops and picking a clever line, have created a fine and safe path all the way to the summit. You don’t have to follow it of course and you can clamber your way up and through the granite boulders and outcrops if you choose. The views just get better and better as you gain height but the best is left to the last on this hill. As the angle suddenly eases you arrive on a boulder and slab strewn summit and suddenly you get the most amazing views…the whole of the rocky, Arran mountains stretch out before you, the narrow ridges, rocky pinnacles and bright sand screes. . .there is just so much to look at. All around you can see the sea and out to the east is the dark line of the main and Ayrshire. Further to the south Nita pointed out Ailsa Craig. We had reached the top just before midday and so it seemed like the perfect spot for lunch.
East from Goat Fell
As we sat looking out over the deep trough of Glen Rosa, the very low broken cloud we’d seen earlier to the south, started to feed in on the breeze. It bubbled up beneath us heading north up Glen Rosa before briefly shrouding the fine pointy summit of Cir Mhor. It came and went creating a constantly changing view, different colours, tones and patterns. The strange thing was that for almost an hour as we watched this wonderful changing show …the cloud never enveloped us on the summit of Goat Fell …the highest point on the island. Indeed, we were sat in bright sunshine much of the time we were watching the flowing and breaking clouds ….quite amazing. There was a good few folk on the summit by this time …all transfixed by the scene. After about an hour the cloud faded away and we were left with an almost cloud free sky. The ridge over to North Goat Fell looked tempting (we first scrambled our way along and over its stumpy pinnacles way back in 1988 during our first ever holiday together), but we decided instead just to have a leisurely return in the sun.
From Goat Fell ...the summit of Cir Mhor above the cloud
As I’ve said before, the Isle of Arran Brewery is situated right at the start of the path up Goat Fell, and as we reached it on our way back …having cut it too fine to catch the 16.40 ferry, we stopped by and bought ourselves a couple of bottles of Arran Blonde from the brewery shop. They have seats and tables outside and so long as you open the bottles yourself …you can sit and drink them in the evening sun …which is what we did. Within 15 minutes several other walkers, arriving back after a hot day on the hill, stopped and did like-wise.
A gentle amble back around the bay and just time for some chips before the ferry arrived …then coffee and a kip before arriving back in Ardrossan a little after eight in the evening …what a wonderful day.
A local fisherman ...near Brodick
Interestingly on Wednesday evening I also received an email inviting me to take part in a group exhibition at the Dick Institute in Kilmarnock…at the end of January. They asked if I might have any paintings I could include that were local to the area. I’m thinking I may well be able to do a couple of pieces based on the incredible views we had while at the summit of Goat Fell. Anyway, more details about this exhibition as and when I know them.
Finally, if you’re reading this and live in Ayrshire and have never made the trip over to Arran …well then …do go and visit. It is a magical place with something for everyone and as I found yesterday, when you’ve been working hard and are tired and worn out …a day on the island relaxes and restores.
Ben Lomond
It really doesn’t matter that this is one of the most popular hills in Scotland and that thousands of people make their way to its summit each year; it really is a very fine hill.
We had arranged to meet up with a couple of friends who were staying in one of the lodges at the side of Loch Lomond at Rowardennan. We arrived at nine o’clock on a beautiful spring morning to find a ‘second’ breakfast of coffee and croissants waiting for us. The loch was like a mirror and Ben Lomond and the Ptarmigan rose steeply behind, the higher slopes speckled with patches of snow….the remnants of the heavy snow we’d struggled through on Beinn Damhain a few miles to the north west just ten days previously. From the shore though it was difficult to tell quite how much snow there might be on the steeper upper sections of the Ptarmigan ridge. We decided to head up to the top of the Ptarmigan and then if the steeper section leading up to Ben Lomond looked clear, head on up, descending by the larger and easy angled ‘tourist’ path.
Ben Lomond, walkers approaching the summit
This really is a great route. The path up the Ptarmigan starts amidst the oak woodland that skirts the loch-side and then winds its way steeply upwards giving fine views out over the loch. These views get bigger every time you stop for a breather and on this calm morning the Luss hills on the opposite side of the loch were beautifully reflected in the water.
Despite the beautiful weather we saw very few people, one couple passed us on their way up and three or four more came down past us, but it’s hard to believe that Glasgow is just a forty minute drive from here. We came across the first of the snow patches near the top of the Ptarmigan and it was deep and slushy and slippery but as far as we could see (well…Anita and my two friends could see that is) …there were only a few patches on the steep ground ahead ….and these could be avoided. The final clamber up the ridge to the summit of Ben Lomond is wonderful. The views become vast. The final little section involves using your hands to clamber through and up a short rocky section that ends quite suddenly, a few metres from the summit trig point.
Ben Lomond, on the Ptarmigan ridge
Ben Lomond, near the summit
We’ve done this route a good few times over the last ten years and never before have we found the top so quiet and so calm. There was hardly a breath of wind and we could sit around taking in the spectacular views without feeling cold. It was a perfect day and one that has left me looking forward to our trip to Assynt in a few weeks time.
Posted in Inspiring Mountain Walks, Mountain Photos Tags: Ben Lomond, Glasgow, Luss hills, Ptarmigan ridge, Rowardennan, Scotland No Comments »
‘Glasgow scene 1’, Acrylic & Pastel
As you know, most of my paintings are about the natural environment and in particular the upland landscape of Scotland. I do though, occasionally work on paintings about the man made landscape and this little painting is one of two I did for a customer a few years ago. It is based on the view from the train as it approaches the bridge over the Clyde and Central Station. Even since I did this painting this scene has changed somewhat and several of the buildings have been cleared. It did appear to be a somewhat run-down little area but that is what I liked.
After returning from Speyer last summer where I did a number of paintings based on the cathedral there, I’ve been thinking of doing a few pieces based on the buildings of Glasgow…..a little bit of the urban landscape for a change.
Posted in Artwork of the Week Tags: crieff, Drumochter sketch, Scotland, Scottish upland landscape No Comments »
Near the summit of Conic Hill
Well, we didn’t get up to Rannoch moor as planned last week in search of the little hill and it was such a busy week work wise that it didn’t look as if we’d get walking anywhere. The forecast for the week though was cold, mainly dry and bright …almost perfect weather for a jaunt somewhere….and so on Monday evening we decided to down tools the next day and get out somewhere ….anywhere. It was rather too late to call our friend Guy and see if he was up for Rannoch moor and to be honest after all the rain and the mild temperatures of the previous week and the rapid snow melt…we’d have been struggling to cross a large stream that lies across our route to Meall Tionaill.
So then, as we needed something not too taxing on our unfit legs, it seemed the perfect day to walk a bit of the West Highland Way and take in Conic Hill at the same time. Some of the folk from Air na Creagan (our local club www.craggy.org.uk ) had been here just a few weeks before …they did a circular walk, following the WHW from just outside Drymen, to Conic Hill and then down to the pub in Balmaha, before returning to the start point by way of forestry tracks I think. The lunchtime pint and bite to eat was very tempting but in the end we decided to simply walk to the top of Conic Hill and then return the same way.
Loch Lomond from the slopes of Conic Hill
The one thing the forecast also said was that there would be black ice affecting the roads in Scotland that morning and so as it wasn’t going to be a big day, we decided to leave Irvine quite late …as it turned out, not much before nine o’clock ….and although the roads were fine, when we got out of the car in the small car park at Drymen ….we were skating around! So much so that we put the small instep crampons on ….and they stayed in place for almost the whole walk. It was a beautiful morning though and the walk out of Drymen to the point where you meet the WHW was great….wonderful views out over the surrounding countryside …to the south, flattish land, to the north, Conic Hill and the first of the bigger hills of the southern Highlands. In one of the fields were several huge flocks of geese. They were close enough for me to see them with the monocular and it was quite a sight …and sound.
The WHW follows forestry tracks for a couple of kilometres and even at 11 am there were many big patches of ice that needed care even with the spiders on. Once beyond the edge of the forest though, the sun had softened the ground the path picks its way over grassy hillside making its way towards Conic Hill. The southern end of Loch Lomond looked great in the bright morning light and the winter colours were vivid and bright at times.
Now then, I know it’s stating the obvious, but even on relatively straight forward walks like this ….it does pay to check you map once in a while! Not that we got lost or anything …that really would have been a great indignity seeing as we were following the WHW virtually the whole day! But…..as we approach the hill, we thought we might as well just cut up the side and head straight to what we thought was the top. This is what we did, clambering up steep grassy slopes with increasingly big views until we reached a small cairn. To the west a short distance was another top..with a short steep little descent between us and it. We had, I have to admit, been taking our time and now it was already1.45pm and we still needed to take a short lunch break. The wander over to the other top would have taken too long as I was concerned we’d run out of daylight before getting back out of the forestry and the ice. So ….after a short while taking in the scene and feeling a bit of a ‘plonker’ for not checking the map to see where the actual top of the hill was …we headed back down. Lunch was taken in an idyllic spot half way back down the hill and then it was a case of legging it somewhat. It’s amazing quite how fast the light starts to fade at this time of year and as by this time there were some big dark shower clouds approaching, it got gloomy even earlier than expected. But the loch did look superb in this late afternoon light and I needn’t have worried about the ice …most of it had melted during the day.
Fading light over Loch Lomond from the WHW
It certainly wasn’t the biggest walk we’ve ever undertaken or the most adventurous, but on a quiet January day it made for a very quite and peaceful little walk …one that most certainly got the legs working again. Oh well, perhaps it’ll be Rannoch moor and Meall Tionaill next week.
'Heavy weather, Drumochter'
‘Heavy weather, Drumochter’, Acrylic & Pastel, 2010, 76 x 23cm
With all the rain and dark skies we’ve been having in Speyer for the last week, I thought it fitting to select a similarly damp image as this week’s work of the week. It seems to be a place that catches the weather, or at least when we drive through these hills heading north or south on the A9 over the Drumochter Pass. But it’s so wonderfully wild and raw and I always get excited when we heading up or down this bit of road.
We’ve explored some of the hills on either side of the pass, Gael Charn and A’Mharconaich the scene of one of my most memorable days – fine winter weather and my 100th Munro; A’Bhuidheanach Bheag and Carn na Caim – one of the hardest days I’ve had on a hill – bitterly cold easterly wind and soft sinking snow.
Anyway, this painting always reminds me of these walks and gets me reaching for the guides and maps to plan further trips. The painting is currently being exhibited at The Gallery on the Corner in Edinburgh …watch out for their new website …due to go live in the next few weeks.
Posted in Artwork of the Week Tags: A9, A’Bhuidheanach Bheag, A’Mharconaich, Carn na Caim, Drumochter Pass, Gael Charn, mountain climbing, munros, Scotland No Comments »