WELCOME TO HERIOT TOUN STUDIO!

A space to breathe.

Our award winning studio is a purpose built eco-friendly live/work space in the Scottish Borders providing living/ workspace under one roof with self catering accomodation for up to four. It is light filled, spacious and comfortable and our hillside location provides lovely views out over the Heriot valley. The studio is perfect as a temporary place to work on a project or run a workshop, or for anyone looking for a creative break in an inspiring setting.

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 to Edinburgh and Borders' towns.

We believe that 'art' in the broadest sense is a universal language and welcome artists/creative people of all disciplines and nationalities. Our residents have included visual artists, musicians, poets and screenwriters and we are always open to ideas regarding communication or collaboration between cultures and countries so we welcome your comments and suggestions.

Many projects develop here at Heriot Toun and it's also the home to Mattie Fould's mobile recording studio - MWAH - Mobile with a Home where many musicians such as Lau, Karine Polwart and Kim Edgar have recorded their albums. If you'd like to know about this, get in touch with Mattie at: 07817 428 470 or: mattiefoulds@mac.com
www.mwah.biz

The studio also works well as a meeting place for any group of people needing a venue for the day. eg the Director's of Reiach and Hall Architects in Edinburgh hold regular meetings at the studio where they come for the day to discuss office issues. There is wifi and signal for mobiles, and there's also a landline with an honesty box.

Close by down the hill a wee bit, we have a second studio which is Pat's workplace - but that one's not for rent!

However, you don't have to be an artist working on a project to use the studio. It's also a space to just come and relax, be inspired and recharge the batteries. So feel free.

view from the studio

What it's like inside:
The ‘working’ part of the studio has a floor area of approx. 40sqm and has wonderful light and space. 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. 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. There are easels, work tables, storage baskets for materials and lots of wall space.The Studio has ample artificial light provided by a series of daylight spectrum striplights and directional spots. There is a large sink and drainer. We also have wifi for internet access. The studio is a no smoking area.

The summer sitooterie.
We have a new addition to Heriot Toun in the form of a wee sitooterie/reading writing/ chill out space - whatever you want to call it. Actually, it's a horsebox, but it won't be carrying many geegees. It's for everyone at Heriot Toun and we hope folk enjoy using it. There are comfy seats and books to read with a small selection for sale. It's for summer use, it's just outside the studio under the trees and it's included in the studio rent so there's no more to pay.

 

Studio objectives:

• To provide individuals and small groups with the space and freedom to develop their ideas and produce new work.
• To provide a gathering place for collaboration and exchange of ideas among artists across the creative spectrum, be it painters, musicians, sculptors, writers, poets or performance artists.
• To forge links with UK and international artists.

Seasonal poem
Each season we have the work of a poet or writer on the homepage as well as being hung on the wall in the studio.

Studio Equipment List
If you're coming to record an album with Mattie Fould's, MWAH, please get in touch with him directly for all information regarding the equipment and procedure. It will obviously be different to the list here!

The working part of the studio is equipped with the following:

• 2 full size easels, 2 table size easels and 2 work tables, 1 large, 1 medium sized *
• Numerous chairs
• Storage baskets for materials*
• 3000k fluorescent tubes, mounted in trays to give largely glare free even light
• 8 tungsten adjustable spotlights
• Ample plug sockets
• Sink and drainer
• 4 x Aprons*
• Cloths
• Roll of polythene for really mucky stuff*
• Paper towels
• Washing up liquid
• Multi-purpose cleaner
• Free wifi.
• You can see how the living area and the kitchen are equipped by clicking here
  

(* please let us know in advance if you want these items )

 

Awards:

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

2007 was an incredible year. Not only did the studio attract wonderful folk who produced some amazing work, but the 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
• Shortlisted RIBA Award for Architecture

What can we say.......but a huge THANK YOU to all involved, most definitely (as usual) a team effort.

*********************************************WINTER MONTHS****************************************************

We've had unusually hard winters the last couple of years and the studio is difficult in snowy conditions; especially getting up the track - it can be very slippy. Also, in a northerly wind the road can block, so without trying to sound like a doom-monger, please bear this in mind when you book the studio. We don't have a vehicle to pull you out if your car gets stuck so responsibility lies with you! We'll endeavour to clear the track and the path to the studio in the morning, but if it continues to snow you'll need to do the digging yourself - there will be a snow shovel here. So please think before you come - you need to be self sufficient during the winter months.

 

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