Arts and Culture

The beautiful landscape of Cowal is hugely inspirational to creative artists and craftspeople and there is a lively arts and music scene with many artists and musicians choosing to locate here.  One of the major events of the year is the Cowal Open Studios where over 30 artists throw open the doors of their studios to the public, providing an arts trail to some of the most hidden and beautiful parts of Cowal.

Traditional Music

In addition, there is a love of traditional music which is deeply embedded in the area and can be found in concerts throughout the community in  local centres and halls. Fiddle Folk , a vibrant organisation which produces the annual traditionall music festival in Lochgoilhead, Fèis Cheann Loch Goibhle, also presents excellent live music concerts and events in community venues throughout Cowal.  Fiddle Folk teach traditional fiddle, and other instruments, to youngsters and adults in Cowal and Argyll and arrange school, community music tours and residential tuition weekends.

Painting Holidays

Portavadie Marina is providing a series of four day painting holidays for leisure painters in the superb scenery of Loch Fyne. Guests will stay in the luxury surroundings of Portavadie Marina with tuition given by their resident artist Anne Hewitt. The course covers a wide range of practical techniques to bring together the vital ingredients to creating a successful oil painting.  Dates are:
November 15th - 19th; November 29th - 3rd; January 10th - 14th; January 31st - 4th
The price of £450 per person inlcuding meals, accommodation and tuition
To book or for more information please contact info@portavadiemarina.com or call 01700 811075

Annual Events

The Cowal Highland Games, which take place in August is the biggest in the world and many other festivals such as Cowalfest in October and and Loch Fyne Food Fair in May involve the arts in their programmes.