Heriot Toun in spring

Welcome to Heriot Toun Studio, an artist's residency space for people looking for an inspiring space to work in a beautiful rural area.

About us:
We are a couple living and working at Heriot Toun where we've been for thirty years. Pat is a working artist and Andy (who designed the studio) is a newly refocussing architect who worked for Reiach and Hall Architects. (We don't use the R word!)

We like to think we've got a fair idea of what creative folk might want in terms of an inspiring space to work and we're always trying to improve the studio when we feel it's needed. We love living here and welcoming the many creative folk who've visited. They seem to like it too. 

 

Our award winning studio is situated within a working farm in the beautiful Scottish Borders. It's an all year round, cosy, eco-friendly workspace. Purpose-built, it provides workspace with accommodation under one roof (there's a twin-bedded room and a high level single bed accessed by a ladder) which is perfect for two, great for three, and ok for four with a foldaway bed on an occasional basis.  

There's no local shop so you need to bring everything with you or else drive 8 miles to the nearest shop in Gorebridge. We think of this as an asset!

There is wifi throughout.

Although we're slightly off the beaten track we're not far from Edinburgh and Borders towns making us easily accessible from all parts of the country. We have visitors from many parts of the world including the United States, Scandinavia and European countries. Most of our visitors are musicians and writers but it's by no means exclusive. We also have academics coming to work on projects as well as creatives coming for a break to recharge their batteries. A list of our visitors can be found here:
http://www.heriot-toun.co.uk/info/links.php 

It is light-filled, spacious and comfortable, and our hillside location provides lovely views out over the Heriot valley making it an ideal place for creative work. The studio is situated within a working farm, surrounded by open fields and livestock.  There are no local bars or restaurants in this rural area but there are several to try out if you have a car. (Suggestions/recommendations are in the studio folder when you get here.)

Please note - the studio is a 'clean space' ie it's regrettably not suitable for mucky stuff such as sculpture and oil painting. We offered the studio to painters for the first few years but there were very few takers so we settled on a non-mucky-stuff policy for the writers and musicians who mostly use it. There are no easels or painters equipment in the studio. Apologies to the messy folk. 

 

Heriot Toun Studio Exterior

Our Studio Objectives

Welcome!

The studio is perfect for a place to work on a project, or have a creative break in an inspiring setting. Or main objective is to provide a peaceful and nurturing environment where creative people and projects can flourish. We aim to:

  1. Provide individuals or small groups with a peaceful residential space with the freedom to develop ideas and projects.
  2. Provide a hub for potential collaborations.
  3. Forge links with UK and international artists.
  4. Provide a comfortable, relaxing and welcoming place to charge your batteries, whatever you're up to. With miles of beautiful walking and cycling, there's something for everyone who enjoys the outdoors.
  5. Sorry but the studio is a clean space so not suitable for really dirty or stinky stuff.

We believe that art in the broadest sense is a universal language and we welcome creative people of all disciplines, nationalities, gender, religion. We're always open to ideas regarding connection or collaboration between cultures and countries so we welcome your comments and suggestions. 

We have the best of both worlds in that we have a peaceful, inspiring location in the beautiful Scottish Borders but are easily accessible by bus or car and isn't far from the city of Edinburgh. See our Getting Here section for more information.

If you want to go out for the evening unfortunately we have no bars or restaurants within walking distance, but there's a good selection if you have a car. 

Seasonal poems and prose

Each season we present the work of a poet or writer on the website homepage,  we also hang the work on the wall of the studio.

The Working Studio

The ‘working’ part of the studio (which is attached and open to the living area) has a floor area of approx. 40sqm with wonderful light and space. It is heated by a wood burning stove so is cosy in all seasons. There are large north facing rooflights and glass sliding doors looking out over the Border hills, with interior roller blinds to diffuse any unwanted direct sunlight. There are two work tables (one medium and one large). The Studio has ample artificial light provided by a series of daylight spectrum striplights and directional spots. There is a large sink and drainer. 

Please note, the studio is a multi purpose 'clean' space and unsuitable for really mucky stuff. Sorry.

We have pretty good wifi for internet access in the studio. 

Immediately outside the glass doors is a timber deck which could be used as extended workspace for poetry readings, music or just relaxing, eating and drinking. Or if you want to sit by a campfire we have a space for that too under the Scots Pine. Firewood on hand.

Above the studio with views to the west is our wee horsebox sitooterie for a summer breakout space to sit and read or enjoy a glass of wine while watching the sunset - or whatever takes your fancy.

Close by we have a second studio which is Pat's workplace. It's not for rent but you're welcome to drop in and say hello!

Inspiration

Our beautiful rural area has much to inspire, the light is ever changing, the landscape gentle but stimulating. You can find old forts and ruins within a short distance, a winding river with woods to explore and miles of open space to get lost in. We keep a map in the studio to help you find your way.

Unfortunately we have no bars or restaurants within walking distance but we can recommend a few if you have a car.

 

The Great Outdoors

There's nothing like getting out in the fresh air to get the creative juices flowing, so if you fancy a break Heriot is brilliant for walking and we have miles of rolling hills to cross without having to encounter a road. 

Likewise, our roads are great for cycling so if you want to bring your bike, go right ahead. There's space to keep it under cover and there's there's also an outside tap to hose it down if needed.

http://cyclescottishborders.com

If you fancy taking a break to go mountain biking, Innerleithen and Glentress with miles of trails aren't far away: 

http://scotland.forestry.gov.uk/forest-parks/tweed-valley-forest-park/innerleithen 

http://glentressforest.com/bikehiregear.html

Awards

Heriot Toun Studio has received numerous awards over the years. One of the best awards though is the fact that people love it and keep coming back. You can't ask for more than that.

In 2023 we were delighted to receive Best Studio Space in the Scottish Borders from the Scottish Enterprise Awards scheme!

2008
Nominated for Best Venue of the Year in the Scot Trad Music Awards.

2007
This was an incredible year. Not only did the studio attract wonderful folk who produced some amazing work, but the studio itself won a staggering 6 AWARDS:

  • Winner silver Roses Design Awards ‘Best Small project’ 2007
  • Winner Scottish Design Awards Chairman’s Award for Architecture
  • Winner Commendation Scottish Design Awards ‘Best Residential Project’ 2007
  • Winner Commendation Scottish Borders Council Design Awards ‘07
  • Winner EAA ‘Small Projects’ Commendation '07
  • Winner Civic Trust Awards 2007 Commendation

It was also shortlisted for the RIBA Award for Architecture.

 

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