Entry Type

Members-only

Read more about the island in this article in the Financial Times: Unlocking the magic of Eilean Shona | Financial Times

About Eilean Shona

Eilean Shona is situated to the north of the Ardnamurchan peninsular and south of the Isle of Skye just off the West Coast of Scotland. With its ancient forests, craggy hillsides, hidden coves, sandy beaches and rich wildlife it is considered by many to be one of the most glorious of all the Hebridean islands.

Owned by Vanessa Branson, a champion of the arts, Eilean Shona’s cultural activities play an important role in the islands identity alongside its focus of enriching its biodiversity. The island is car-free and every effort is made to be plastic-free and carbon neutral. Electricity comes from a hydro-electric power station and water is sourced from the hills.

About the Residency

The winning artist will have access to a studio overlooking Loch Moidart and Castle Tioram and be introduced to the area by the island woodsman. The woodsman will also be able to offer guidance and support concerning use of tools such as chainsaws. Accommodation is a one bedroomed woodman’s cottage.

The opportunity also includes an artist talk, the chance to contribute to the island’s permanent art collection and to contribute to the Eilean Shona blog. The artist will also be encouraged to document their progress for an Instagram takeover of the Royal Society of Sculptors account. There is an expectation that the work will remain on the island.

In 2024, the residency will run from 26 February to 25 March 2024 inclusively.

Accommodation will be provided plus a studio with north light overlooking Loch Moidart and Castle Tioram.

The successful artist will receive a £1,000 stipend and £500 towards travel costs.

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Current Winner

Marie-Therese Ross MRSS

The the winner of the Eilean Shona Residency 2023 is Marie-Therese Ross MRSS who will stay at Eilean Shona later this year.

Marie-Therese Ross in her studio
The woodman’s cottage on the beautiful island of Eilean Shona is a unique opportunity for me to deepen my relationship with wood, my favoured material. I plan to work outside in the natural environment and experiment with new ideas and techniques, working with unprepared wood, carving, and cutting without a plan, building something new and allowing the environment to feed more directly into my work.

My work has been powered by my emotions and feelings about the man-made state that we find ourselves in, where we have no control over our destiny. To be removed from the daily grind and the need to stay on top of information will be a release and a newfound freedom. I want to breathe more space in my work and create larger sculptures, currently constrained by the modest size of my studio.

Marie-Therese Ross MRSS

Past Winners



Mhairi Vari MRSS in Eilean Shona 2022
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2022 Mhairi Vari MRSS