Every late August, Argyll transforms into an interactive canvas during Artmap Argyll Open Studios. Running from Friday 21st August through to Bank Holiday Monday 31st August 2026, this annual event sees local artists, makers, and sculptors open their private workspace doors to the public.
If you’re staying at Bradan Lodges, you are ideally positioned in Kilmichael Glen to experience the best of this cultural trail.
Why Artmap Argyll belongs on your Itinerary
The Open Studios trail, often known as the Red Dot Trail, offers a unique way to explore the surrounding landscape while meeting the creative minds behind Argyll’s vibrant arts scene.
- Convenient Local Access: Many of the open studios and venue stops, including locations around Lochgilphead, Kilmartin, Crinan and Tayvallich, are located just a short 10-to-20-minute drive from your lodge doorstep.
- Meet the Makers: Step inside working studios to observe intricate techniques firsthand, including oil painting, ceramics, hand weaving, glasswork, printmaking, and woodwork.
- Invest in Unique Memories: Bringing home a piece of original art created in Argyll is one of the most meaningful souvenirs from your stay. Whether it’s a coastal landscape or handmade pottery, you can invest in art that captures the essence of the West Highlands.
Plan Your Route Along the Trail
Visiting studios along the coast or through historic glens makes for an enriching day trip. You can drop into coastal pop-ups, stop for lunch at a village cafe, and wander through hidden workspaces before returning to the quiet comfort of Bradan Lodges. Here you will enjoy the beautiful and unique scenery which surely will have inspired many of the talented creatives on the ArtMap Open Studios Trail!
Plan your ArtMap itinerary here.