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Hi Everyone, I'm so excited to announce that in April 2026 we will be going to Scotland for our watercolor retreat! Not only will we be painting and learning together, but we will be exploring Scotland while staying at our private country estate. There's a hot tub, a private chef, an art studio, and the town of Buchlyvie is a 15 minute walk from the residence. We're visiting Stirling Castle, Loch Lomond, learning Scottish (Ceilidh) dancing and more!

This is an all levels art retreat, and my class focus is "The Anatomy of Watercolor" because I like to break all the complicated concepts down into simplified and easy to understand ways. More details below and you can access the trip here:

https://uptrek.com/retreat/the-anatomy-of-watercolor-art-retreat-artist-kristin-van-leuven-scotland

My patreon members get first access to book the trip from now until Monday April 7th. Please reach out to the team on the Uptrek website with questions your might have. They are super fast at responding and are wiling to work with special requests.

I can't wait to paint with you in Scotland!

What's included:

Art classes, individual tuition, and demonstrations with artist Kristin Van Leuven

Tables, chairs, glass jars, paper towels, fresh fruit and flowers for reference, and watercolor paper for the workshop component

7 nights of accommodation at a Scottish countryside estate

Exclusive use of the property, including living quarters and common areas, the art studio, outdoor hot tubs, terraces, and gardens

Meals: 7 breakfasts, 5 mid-morning power juices, 5 lunches, and 7 dinners carefully prepared by your private chef

Water, coffee, tea, herbal tea, and snacks available at all times

Delicious wine served with dinner every day

An in-house gin-tasting experience

Art trip to Loch Lomond

Art trip to Stirling, including an entrance ticket to Stirling Castle

Trip to Buchlyvie village at your leisure (15-minute walk away)

A night of Scottish (Ceilidh) dancing

Private transportation for all planned activities

Experienced UpTrek host available throughout the day

Round-trip transfers at pre-arranged times from/to Edinburgh Airport (EDI)

All local tourist taxes and fees

Access to a private Facebook group with Kristin Van Leuven and the other retreat participants four months before the retreat

https://uptrek.com/retreat/the-anatomy-of-watercolor-art-retreat-artist-kristin-van-leuven-scotland

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Comments

Sandy

Sounds like a wonderful trip! We have family in Scotland and know all about ceilidh dancing. So much fun! My son and daughter -in - law are headed there this month for a family wedding. You will love Scotland!

Terri Benyon

Wow! We went to Scottland in 2022, it was beautiful. One of my favorite trips. This sounds like a fantastic opportunity.

Deb McElhany

Working on convincing my husband!

Dianne

Really interested. How can I find out cost for a non-artist partner attending with me?

Kristin Van Leuven

I would reach out to uptrek and see if that's an option. As far as I know, it's an artist focused retreat and the spots at the venue are reserved for the participants

Kristin Van Leuven

It has been on my bucket list for years, glad to know it was one of your favorites!

Kristin Van Leuven

How fun! My ancestors are from that area and I'm excited to be there. I am really looking forward to ceilidh dancing too

Jeena Khan

Scotland has been on my wish list forever, so I took a gulp and registered today! I am so excited, this sounds absolutely idyllic 🥰🥰

Mary Kay

How I’d love this! Sounds dreamy!

Alissa

My daughter’s dance school was run by one of the top Highland dancing teachers in Australia, and regularly had dancers asked to perform at the Edinburgh Tattoo. I’d love to explore ceilidh more!

Alissa

Oh what a dream retreat!

Jerri

Anyone else pretty much a flat-out dead beginner and going? Because, I struggled with trees and dandelion leaves. 🙂

Jeena Khan

I really struggle with trees!! 🌴

Debi

This sounds wonderful!!!

Helen Fisher

I wish I couldcattend something like this - hopefully in the future

Jerri

I did it👩🏻‍🎨😬👩🏻‍🎨….i signed up! I need to get working on my trees!!!!😂 Kristen…you have your work cut out for you…😂

Chris

Are our fly in/out dates 4/17 & 4/24?

Kristin Sherwood

I have wanted to go to Scotland for a long time! I would love to go, I don't have the money though.

Sanne van der Veen

This sounds amazing, Scotland is the most beautiful country I’ve ever been to! I have to miss it though, we’re planning a trip to the UK ourselves :)

Terri Klausner

JUST BOOKED IT!! So excited for this beginner!! Cannot wait!

Terri Klausner

When reading the travel info, it recommends that we fly in a day earlier to avoid delayed plane flights etc. That’s what I’m planning to do. Will need to find a place to stay for that day.

Terri Klausner

I’m certainly a beginner as well Jerri!

Jerri

We’ll see if you still feel that way when we’re on our way home! 😂

Jeena Khan

Same! I did a pastry workshop in Paris years ago and arrived on the day of the first class. It was brutal! Planning on staying the first night in Edinburgh!! 🤗

Terri Klausner

I was looking and the way the flights will be for me I’m actually planning to leave on the 15th instead of the 16th bc if I leave on the 16th I won’t get there until later on the 17th which I don’t want to happen. I figure I’ll stay in Edinburgh before the retreat.

Melodee Skiles

I'm excited for all of you who are going! I lived in Scotland for 14 months (there for a master's degree) and it is one of my favorite places on earth!

Anwar Molani

I am definitely coming. Can I bring my wife too? Let me ask Misha, my daughter, she can come to with her friend. And one of my family friends is interested too. Is there a way I can send them the info?

Anwar Molani

My wife doesn’t paint nor my son. Can they accompany me and Misha?

Kristin Van Leuven

You can reach out to Uptrek and see what the options are, but they prefer all the spots at the retreat be filled by those who are interested in learning and painting. One of my students in the France watercolor retreat is traveling to France with their whole family, but coming to the retreat alone while their family is staying elsewhere and sightseeing. Then after the watercolor retreat they are meeting back up to travel more. So that could be an option where your family travels to Scotland, you and your daughter come to the retreat and then afterward you meet back up. I thought that was a neat idea

Sarah Brace

Is there still a space for Scotland? Sounds amazing!

Betsy

I just got the email about this and it's already sold out! I put myself on your waitlist. Do you know if you'll have a retreats later in 2026?

Jerri

My husband is doing this…he’ll do stuff on his own or a tour group, while I’m with our group.👍🏻. And he will not bother me/us! He’ll probably be in Edinburg or Glasgow or somewhere! 😄

Teresa Lavenue

I would love to attend. Want to meet you in person and learn from you and I’m dying to go to Scotland. But alas, I already have plans for international travel and other trips in April that conflict. Maybe next year

JL

Any chance you’ll be adding a second week? I’m on the waiting list!

Deb McElhany

Flights are up now! I'm thinking about flying out the 15th and enjoying a day in Edinburgh.

Teresa Lavenue

I want to join this retreat but I already have some plans. 😥 1) I always wanted to go to Scotland and 2) I think Kristen is a great teacher!

Jerri

That’s a great idea! Hubs and I are flying to England on the 12th; spending a couple of days, then taking a train up to Edinburgh and will hang out there a few days before the retreat. He’ll fly home while I’m in the retreat a few days later. He’s hoping the weather will cooperate enough to get in some golfing. Iffy at best, I think!!

Deb McElhany

It sounds like the weather can change from moment to moment! I hope he can get some golfing in and enjoy your time in England. April can't get here fast enough!

Jerri

Yes! I can’t wait to meet you and everyone else!! I’m not an international traveler AT ALL….so this trip is really a big deal for me (us)! 🩷