I am very grateful to be undertaking a Hugo Burge Foundation Writer’s Residency this Autumn. It is giving me precious time to work on a book about the Scottish Colourists for the National Galleries of Scotland, which is due for publication in late 2026.
photo Alex Robson
The Hugo Burge Foundation
The late entrepreneur, collector and philanthropist Hugo Burge (1972-2023) was passionate about art and its transformative power. In 2021 he established the Marchmont Makers Foundation in the Scottish Borders, which was renamed in his memory in 2024. It is dedicated to supporting the arts, crafts and creative industries across the United Kingdom.
and view onto the Hugo Burge Foundation’s Creative Spaces Courtyard
A Writer’s Residency
Amongst the various programmes of support that the Foundation offers are Writers’ Residencies. They provide time away from ‘real life’ in order to concentrate solely on being creative with words. It is hard to describe what a wonderful opportunity this provides, to research, think and write in the peace and quiet of the Scottish countryside. What is more, this is done amidst the estate buildings that Hugo beautifully restored into studios, workshops and places which enable creativity in many forms. I am able to write in a cottage, a tower, a Common Room and even in a glasshouse!
Oil on canvas, 51 x 61cm, The Fleming Collection, London
Visions of Rare Beauty
Whilst at the Foundation I shall be concentrating on the oldest of the four Scottish Colourists, Samuel John Peploe (1871-1925); the others are F. C. B. Cadell, J. D. Fergusson and G. L. Hunter. Cadell introduced Peploe to the Hebridean island of Iona in 1920 and they returned to the island most summers for the rest of their lives. In 1923 Peploe described the ‘visions of rare beauty’ that he experienced there, which he captured in paintings such as Green Sea, Iona. I think that he and Cadell found a creative tranquillity on Iona similar to what I am experiencing thanks to the Hugo Burge Foundation Writer’s Residency.
photo: Alice Strang
The Company of Creatives
Whilst on my residency I am surrounded by a terrific range of creative practitioners, also receiving support from the Foundation. Amgonst them are my next door neighbour Robbie Bushe, a member of the Royal Scottish Academy, working across the courtyard is the writer Tendai Huchu, whilst Suzanne Seed can be found in the Silversmithing Workshop. Talk about inspirational company! My book is due out roughly this time next year so I had better make the most of my much appreciated Hugo Burge Foundation Writer’s Residency.
For more about the Foundation please read this feature, if you are interested in Scottish Colourists you might enjoy this article and this blog in on the theme of the Studio Visit.
