Reveillon in Edinburgh — Torchlit Creativity for Artists
A bold, torchlit 3-day artist-focused Reveillon itinerary in Edinburgh (December, Winter). Studio visits, intimate galleries, hands-on print and tapestry workshops, plein-air sketching around dramatic skyline viewpoints, and markets for hard-to-find materials. Pace is realistic for short winter days and colder weather; each stop includes artist-tailored insider tips.
Highlights
- Torchlit sketch session on Calton Hill
- Hands-on printmaking at Edinburgh Printmakers
- Studio tours at Summerhall, Out of the Blue and Dovecot
- Plein-air painting at Arthur's Seat & Dean Village
- Hunt for unique art materials at Stockbridge Market and Cass Art
Itinerary
Day 1
Arrive, settle into a boutique hotel; an afternoon of independent studios at Summerhall; an atmospheric, torchlit sketch at Calton Hill followed by a seasonal dinner and an artist-nightcap.
Check in and acclimatise at The Bonham (boutique hotel)
Settle into a roomy suite or store gear; choose a room with a view to scout compositions. Use hotel as base for wet-weather drying and evening meet-ups.
Tips from local experts:
- Ask reception for a south- or west-facing room for the best late-afternoon light onto terraces — great for quick in-room sketches.
- Store wet paintings flat in the hotel luggage room or ask for a spare towel — many boutique hotels accommodate artists if asked.
- Request a printed neighbourhood map from reception showing nearby studios and quiet sketch spots (Stockbridge and Royal Terrace Gardens).
Studio & independent gallery crawl — Summerhall
Explore artist studios, small galleries, experimental performance spaces and zine stalls inside this creative complex. Talk to resident artists and collect small works or process notes for the night.
Tips from local experts:
- Ask at reception which studios are open-to-view that day — resident schedules rotate and spontaneous show-and-tells happen often.
- Bring a portfolio-sized protective sleeve to swap contact prints or sketches with visiting artists without dampening their work.
- If cold, use the courtyard as a staging area for quick plein-air thumbnails — it has sheltered corners useful in winter winds.
Torchlit sketch session — Calton Hill skyline (night)
A bold, torchlit creative outing: bring headlamps and portable LED torches to sketch the city profile and the national monuments in silhouette against winter skies.
Tips from local experts:
- Use battery warmers or hand-warmers in pockets; winter metal clipboards get icy — bring an insulated lap-board for sketches.
- Calton Hill gets windy — clamp sketchbooks with Bulldog clips and use a small sketching stool to stay stable on the uneven ground.
- If planning to join any organized torchlit events nearby, check local event listings in advance; otherwise, an artist torch-group (headlamps & LED lanterns) creates dramatic lighting for long exposures.
Seasonal, ingredient-led dinner at The Gardener's Cottage
A cozy, horticultural-inspired meal in a small dining room — great for talking materials and sketches over locally sourced plates.
Tips from local experts:
- Request a corner table with natural light if available; ask the staff for permission to sketch unobtrusively while you dine.
- The menu changes seasonally — use dishes as still-life references and photograph plating for colour studies.
- Reserve in advance (December is busy) and ask about quieter seating for an artist group or to lay out small works to dry briefly.
Late-night artist mingle — Forest Café (informal)
A grassroots cultural café where local artists and musicians gather; ideal for exchanging contacts, zines, and trading material leads.
Tips from local experts:
- Bring small zines, postcards or prints to trade — the community is very open to exchanges and collaborations.
- Check opening hours beforehand in winter; if closed, ask Summerhall or Out of the Blue for nearby alternative artist run-spaces.
- Avoid large portfolio displays at busy tables — present work in a compact folio to invite conversation rather than spectacle.
Day 2
Markets and riverside plein-air sketching, followed by tapestry and print workshops with local studios — a full creative day with time to shop for unique materials.
Browse Stockbridge Market for paper, pigments and small crafts
Search weekend stalls and independent makers for vintage paper, ephemera, handmade inks and odd tools — perfect for Reveillon-inspired collage and mixed media.
Tips from local experts:
- Arrive early for the best selection of vintage paper & small tools; bring a lightweight tote for fragile finds.
- Ask stallholders about provenance — old book and print dealers often share tips on safe materials for art use.
- If it's Sunday (market day), plan to sketch quick compositional thumbnails on-site before items get moved.
Plein-air sketching along Water of Leith & Dean Village
Two picturesque, sheltered river stretches with historic mill buildings and reflections — compact compositions ideal for quick winter studies.
Tips from local experts:
- Pick sheltered banks near Dean Bridge to avoid biting east winds; winter reflections are high-contrast — use compressed palettes.
- Bring portable paper pads (A4/A5) and a small water brush for rapid ink-and-wash studies; winter light favours strong silhouette shapes.
- Scout the path for small ledges or steps that double as easels or props for palettes and cups.
Lunch at Hendersons — vegetarian, local supply-driven
A relaxed seasonal lunch to discuss morning studies and plan the afternoon workshop; good for vegetarian artists and for photographing plating for palettes.
Tips from local experts:
- Order light, layered dishes to study colour combinations and textures for later still-life reference.
- Use café napkins as emergency blotting paper for small ink studies in a pinch.
- Ask staff about quieter tables near windows for natural light to do quick pen sketches post-lunch.
Dovecot Studios — tapestry and woven-work exploration
Visit the working tapestry studio and gallery to see large-scale textile art; excellent inspiration for texture, scale and colour study.
Tips from local experts:
- Ask for a guided view of the looms and colour boards — textile artists are usually generous with technical detail.
- Bring a small magnifier or use your phone macro to study warp/weft intersections for translated painting texture ideas.
- If permitted, photograph samples of yarn cards and weave structures to reference in mixed-media experiments.
Hands-on printmaking workshop — Edinburgh Printmakers (evening session)
A timed workshop to try relief or monotype printing — ideal for producing small commemorative prints for Reveillon exchanges.
Tips from local experts:
- Wear layered clothing and closed shoes — print studios are chilly and occasionally in industrial spaces during winter.
- Bring a favourite sketch reduced to postcard size for direct transfer into a linocut or monotype experiment.
- Reserve in advance; ask instructors for pigment-safe recommendations for taking prints home in cold weather (slow drying tips).
Optional late gig or open-mic at The Bongo Club (artist night)
A raw venue with music, visuals and community energy; great for inspiration and to meet performing artists for cross-disciplinary projects.
Tips from local experts:
- Bring a folded print or postcard-sized portfolio to trade with musicians and VJs — collaborations often start informally here.
- The club is often busy and in a basement — if you have mobility needs, check access in advance.
- Use the soundcheck time to take quick observational sketches of stage lighting for dramatic nocturnal palettes.
Day 3
A sunrise/late-morning peak view paint session at Arthur's Seat, a refined gallery visit and material shopping, followed by a final studio walkthrough and a celebratory creative dinner.
Morning plein-air at Arthur's Seat — skyline and moraine forms
Capture dramatic skyline vistas and broken winter light on ancient volcanic rock — ideal for bold, textural studies and sweeping compositions.
Tips from local experts:
- Dress in layers and bring insulated gloves — early morning winds cut through paint mitts and can numb hands quickly.
- Set up small studies first (15–30 minutes) to capture low winter sun angles, then attempt a larger compositional piece while light holds.
- Park close to Dunsapie Loch or Holyrood Park benches for sheltered sketching spots and quick palette rinses.
Talbot Rice Gallery — intimate contemporary exhibitions
A university-run contemporary gallery with experimental shows — a subtle counterpoint to studio work and print textures.
Tips from local experts:
- Check exhibition notes for artist talks or curatorial sheets to understand process and material choices for inspiration.
- Talbot Rice's quiet rooms are good for thumbnailing compositions inspired by current shows — sit and draw respectfully.
- If photographing installations, ask a staff member for best angles that won’t disturb other visitors or damage works.
Artist lunch / regroup at The Forest Café or a quiet artists' café
Share morning studies, edit reference photos, and plan last-minute material stops — informal and affordable.
Tips from local experts:
- Use this time to scan or photograph morning sketches in natural light — bring a phone tripod or clip for steadier shots.
- Ask staff about back-corner seating or a bench where you can lay out prints to dry or to exchange small works.
- If The Forest Café is closed, ask nearby independent cafés in Bristo Place for artist-friendly seating.
Material hunt: Cass Art — restock paints, inks, and paper
A targeted stop to replace consumables, try new pigments, and pick up speciality brushes or printing inks ahead of departure.
Tips from local experts:
- Bring the labels of pigments you used this week to find exact remixes or archival alternatives.
- Ask staff about winter-safe transport tips for wet or semi-wet media — they often sell protective sleeves and tubes.
- Test small pigment swatches in-store under the shop's lighting to ensure colour matches your studies.
Studio walkthrough — Out of the Blue (artist studios & exchange)
A concluding visit to artist studios where you can swap work, leave a small piece for a local gallery collective, or plan future residencies.
Tips from local experts:
- Bring a small exchange print or zine to leave with a studio artist — mutual exchanges often seed longer collaborations.
- If you want to photograph larger studio works, ask permission and offer to email low-res images for the artist's archive.
- Check access routes and door codes in winter evenings; some studio doors are off narrow lanes and may be chilly to wait at.
Farewell Reveillon dinner at Timberyard — seasonal, creative tasting
A final, celebratory meal in a warehouse-turned-restaurant that honours craft and creativity — perfect to review sketches and exchange contacts.
Tips from local experts:
- Request a table near the kitchen pass to watch plating as a live study in composition and texture.
- Bring a small portfolio to show the group — Timberyard's relaxed atmosphere welcomes quiet conversation about work.
- Order a tasting menu if available; courses provide miniature still-life subjects and ideas for palette transitions.
