ROYAL MARINE HOTEL
...something for everyone
Built in the early 1900's by renowned Scottish architect
Sir Robert Lorimer as a private Country House, the hotel has recently
undergone an extensive and exciting refurbishment.
Perfect for all the family - Golf heaven, leisure facilities, fishing,
mountain biking, walking, relaxation …....oh and really good food!
One hour drive north of Inverness, the Royal Marine Hotel is
within walking distance of the charming Highland village of Brora
and 3 minutes from the golf course and sandy beach.
Accommodation - From honeymooners to large golf parties
- with twenty-two bedrooms within the hotel and 24 contemporary Self
Catering Apartments, we accommodate all.
Restaurants - our 3 restaurants give you the delicious
choice of dining light in the Garden Room, Continental in the Bistro
or Al a carte in Lorimers - all freshly cooked from the best local
produce - served simply.
Leisure, Spa & Beauty - relax with a swim, steam,
sauna and Jacuzzi or book a back massage or facial directly with
Blisss... our in-house beautician. After dinner, enjoy a game of snooker,
putting on the lawn or a romantic walk on the beach.
BEDROOMS
Recently renovated, these twin and double rooms have been tastefully
decorated in rich classic colours and warm textures that hint of thw
original period of the house. Fresh en-suite bathrooms with Penhaligon
toiletries and plasma TV.
ACTIVITIES
Mountain Biking - With routes and terrain to suit all fitness levels,
this is a fantastic way to see the area. Mountain bikes are available
from the hotel for your use.
Fishing on Loch Brora - Try your hand
at Salmon and Brown Trout fishing. You can hire a 3 man boat for
2 rods from the hotel for £20 half day and £35 for a full day.
Ghillie, fishing equipment and pack lunch are all available
on request at extra charge.
Walking - Try to take in as much
of our fantastic scenery and wildlife as you can. Maps with good directions
are available on request from reception, offering you a varied choice
of excellent walks to suit all fitness capabilities.
Golf - The Brora Golf Club pro Brian Anderson is
available for lessons benefitting all ages and standards. You
are spoilt for choice with 17 exciting golf courses within a 1 hour drive of the Royal Marine Hotel.
PAUL TAGGART
Artist & Author
Paul’s enthusiasm for painting and for others enjoying it as a
pursuit is reflected in his popularity as an author of fourteen
books.
Paul Taggart has a passion for painting - his life’s work. Over
one thousand principal works of art have come off his easel, since
collectors started to purchase Taggarts over thirty-five years
ago.
“Whilst I have developed my own method of working, traditional
techniques are the basis on which this is formed. There is nothing
to surpass the sheer richness of oil painting. It is about painting
in layers to create depth and using the inherent textures in a
brushstroke. In oil painting we have a medium that can be opaque
or transparent; thick or thin in its application; where the surface
of the painting, being physical, affects light falling on it. The
use of traditional techniques such as glazing and tinting, enriches
and enhances the surface quality of the paint and I use these traditional
techniques extensively to achieve the quality I seek.
Watercolours,
acrylics and pastels are all media for which I have also developed
my own techniques. In watercolours the traditional techniques of
Wet on Wet, Wet on Dry and Line and Wash all come into play, either
in their own right or in combination with each other.
Although acrylics
provide me with a modern, versatile medium I revel in expanding
their possibilities by adding the traditional techniques found
in oil and watercolour painting. Glazing, tinting, tonking and
others, when combined with the textural qualities available through
the use of acrylic paint, effect many exciting results.
Artists
Soft Pastels, being pure pigment, allow me the intensity of colour
unsurpassed in any other media. This vibrancy applies equally to
the strong rich colours as it does to the softest tints. In oil
painting I work from dark to light, building from initial dark
layers through to the tiniest ticks of pure white highlight. This
method is echoed in my pastel paintings providing the depth and
subtleties that I require.
To be placed on the mailing list for all Paul Taggart Events and/or
Paul Taggart Painting Breaks
Tuition
My specific approach to tutoring has been developed to help everyone,
whatever the circumstances or level of an individual painter’s development.
A particular feature of each day being my detailed, fully narrated,
step-by-step demonstrations, which deal practically with any queries
that arise as those working in the group get to grips with their own
exercises and painting during the day.
This approach allows everyone the
opportunity to solve their individual problem and discover new techniques
that have always interested them.
A stress-free way of starting off a
painting is always an abiding favourite, as is colour mixing, both
of which are fundamental to everyone’s enjoyment of painting. We will
tackle matters such as light & shade,
textures and effects, as well as techniques unique to the medium in
which we are working, plus problem solving.
All based on the needs of
the group – for it is the needs of the group that dictates the way in
which each painting day develops.
No matter what problem or question is
asked during the day by one person, I can guarantee that the others will
also be pleased to have that problem solved or question answered.
I have
been asked if these breaks are purely for those already skilled in painting.
The answer is no. Because of the nature of the sessions, all levels will
find the days of value.
Whether you are fairly new to painting, have been
doing so for a while, wish to have your problems solved, or looking to
refresh some techniques, these sessions are ideal. Whilst the emphasis
is on getting as much into the day as possible, the atmosphere is friendly
and enjoyable.
Without fully understanding how to best exploit painting
materials and tools, frustration soon sets in and sadly, many drop out
of painting because they are left floundering. Even the simple act of
how to hold a brush can become an obstacle and I place much emphasis
on how to overcome any potential problems – no matter how small.
There
is nothing to beat painting out of doors to experience the colours and
light effects unique to this region of the Highlands of Scotland
and all sessions therefore take place out and about - in event
of
inclement weather we retreat to the Royal Marine Hotel.
Each Painting Day
Starts with a Highland Breakfast, before we set off for 5 hours continuous
tuition & painting,
with an additional half
hour break for the provided packed lunch. On each day I produce
a fully narrated and detailed step-by-step demonstration, employing a
variety of different techniques, breaking off at critical stages throughout
the day. This allows painters to work on their own painting and as they
do so, I visit each to offer one-to-one help and further tuition.
After-Dinner
Painting Clinic
At the end of each painting day we come together for dinner. Coffee
is served and whilst guests relax with their coffee I carry out a Q&A
painting clinic, at my easel. This allows painting guests the chance
to sort out a couple of those little niggles that have bothered them
through the day, or it might be that I have identified a common problem
that needs ironing out – or I might pass on a few extra tips.
Scottish Highlands Painting Breaks
Residential & Non-Residential
offered by the
Royal Marine Hotel, Restaurant & Spa
Golf Road, Brora, Sutherland, Scotland, KW9 6QS
FOR RATES, BOOKING DETAILS & ENQUIRIES – PLEASE
CONTACT ROYAL MARINE
+44 (0) 1408 621252
Click
here for Royal Marine Web site
Should you have any queries on the painting side of things please don’t
hesitate to email
For all other queries please don’t hesitate to email
