A dark grey angular building nestled in lush green foliage.

July 2025

July is the third month of our year-long programme marking
Cove Park's 25th anniversary and we're delighted to have already welcomed lots of former residents, friends, and new visitors to the site for special events and our ongoing series of Open Fridays .

This month also sees the continuation of Awarded Residencies for artists Sayan Chanda and Harriina Räinä, and the arrival of interdisciplinary artist Olivia Priya Foster for Cove Park's annual Emerging Visual Artist Residency supported by The Bridge Awards. We are also excited to welcome interdisciplinary artist, performer, and researcher Anouk Verviers for The Smith Residency.

Cove Park's Open Residencies continue with national and international artists and collaborators Debora Alanna and Bora Bodur, animation filmmaker Shira Avni, writer and academic Dr. Sita Balani, designer maker Soizig Carey, writer Michael Donkor, interdisciplinary artist and curator Naeem Dxvis, academic and researcher Dr. Azadeh Emadi, artist Rosie Hannah Gibson, Professor of Art at the University of Texas Nancy Hart, actress, playwright, and facilitator Ese Ighorae, essayist Jess Kibler, writer Elle Nash, visual artist Charlie Prodger, artist, practice-based researcher and Head of Contemporary Performance Practice at Royal Conservatoire Scotland Dr. Jo Ronan, filmmaker and video artist Kate Russell, artist Katie Schwab, performer, playwright, and poet Milly Sweeney, and writer, screenwriter, and teacher Adam Vaughn,

Read on for exciting residency news from NAARCA, calls for applications for the Young Gaelic Writer Residency and the third Loch Long Crime Writing Residency, a new Autumn Writers Week with writer and former resident Michael Pedersen, and the announcement of a new Friends of Cove Park programme to mark our 25th anniversary.

Images: above, the Jacobs Building at Cove Park (photography, Alan Dimmick); below, Cove Park's 25th Anniversary Logo (designed by graphic designer and former resident Maeve Redmond).

Portrait image of artist Hugo Llanes. His eyes are closed and there is ash running down his face and hair.

News from NAARCA
Residency Announcement

Following an open call for applications, we are thrilled to announce the selection of three artists taking part in the 2025 NAARCA residency exchange:

Hugo Llanes is a Mexican multidisciplinary artist based in Iceland. His practice explores the intersections of belonging, grief, loss and psychological sustainability. During his four-week NAARCA Residency at Cove Park, he will develop a new body of work, which will be presented in a forthcoming solo exhibition in 2026.

Oslo-based filmmaker Silvia Rossi will collaborate with visual artist Elena Mazzi during their four-week NAARCA Residency at the Narsaq International Research Station. During their residency, Silvia and Elena will engage the community to explore scholar Rob Nixon’s concept of slow violence – the gradual, often unseen damage to the environment. Through youth workshops, they’ll examine the Kvanefjeld mine’s role in the local context and its symbolic significance in the global Green Transition.

NAARCA, established in 2021, unites Artica Svalbard (Norway), Cove Park (Scotland), Narsaq International Research Station (Greenland), Saari Residence (Finland), and Skaftfell Art Center (Iceland) to address the climate crisis, biodiversity loss, and climate justice through the lens of the four pillars of sustainability: ecological, social, psychological, and cultural.

These residencies, made possible with support from the Nordic Culture Fund, support cultural exchange, deep research and reflection, community engagement, and the creation of new work and ideas on climate action.

Image: Hugo Llanes (photography, Nino Spanu)

Portrait image of writer Michael Pedersen. He is wearing a colourful jumper, glasses, and looking to the side.

Autumn Writers Week and
Workshop with Michael Pedersen
8 - 15 September 2025

Following the success of our Winter Writers Residency, we are now accepting applications for the Autumn Writers Week, a new residency for nine writers to step away from daily distractions and focus solely on their creative practice.

Open to writers working in any genre, this residency is designed to support both individual exploration and collective inspiration. Participants will benefit from dedicated time and space to write, reflect, and connect with peers in a supportive and stimulating environment. Throughout the week, residents will have the chance to engage in peer-to-peer sharing, informal discussions, and collaborative sessions. The programme is self-directed, allowing each writer to shape their own experience while also participating in a shared creative journey.

This residency will culminate in a reading, writing workshop, and group dinner with acclaimed writer and former resident Michael Pedersen. Whether you’re developing a new project, revisiting an old one, or simply seeking inspiration, this residency offers the time, space, and community to support your creative goals.

Please visit the Application Guidelines for more details about cost to participate. We are pleased to offer one in-kind residency placement to a writer based in Scotland for whom the cost of participation would otherwise be a barrier due to personal financial circumstances.

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis until filled or by Monday 11 August 2025.

Image: Michael Pederson (photography, Shaun Murwaki).

Misty landscape view of Loch Long and the surrounding forests and hills.

Loch Long Crime Writing Residency 2025
Call for Applications

We are pleased to accept applications for the third edition of the Loch Long Crime Writing Residency – a fully funded opportunity for Scotland-based writers developing new work in crime fiction.

This two-week residency will take place from Monday 27 October - Sunday November 9 2025.

Scotland has a strong tradition of crime writing and many internationally acclaimed contemporary authors based in Scotland are known for their work in this genre. Former recipients of this residency include Caro Carver and Callum McSorley. This programme builds upon our ongoing commitment to the development of new writing in Scotland.

This residency is made possible with support from Cove Park's Patron programme.

Further information is available here and the deadline for applications is Monday 25 August 2025.

Image: The view of Loch Long from Cove Park (photography, Alan Dimmick)

A writer sits at a desk in front of a large floor to ceiling double window with sunny views of Loch Long.

Muinntireas do Sgrìobhaiche Gàidhlig Òg
Young Gaelic Writer Residency 2025
Call for Applications

Tha Pàirc na Camais agus Comhairle nan Leabhraichean toilichte a ràdh gu bheil gairm fhosgailte ann airson tagraidhean Muinntireas do Sgrìobhaiche Gàidhlig Òg!

Is e muinntireas làn-mhaoinichte do sgrìobhadairean Gàidhlig eadar 18 agus 30 a th’ anns a' Mhuinntireas do Sgrìobhaiche Gàidhlig Òg, a thathas a’ tabhann airson an treasamh turas. Bidh am muinntireas dà-sheachdain seo a’ tachairt eadar Diluain 27 Dàmhair agus Diluain 10 Samhain 2025, agus gheibh an sgrìobhadair air mhuinntireas tuarastal agus cuibhreann siubhail is rannsachaidh. Is e an ceann-latha airson thagraidhean Dihaoine 25 Iuchar ro 5f BST.

Fiosrachadh prògraim is stiùireadh air iarrtasan.

Tha am muinntireas seo air a mhaoineachadh le Comhairle nan Leabhraichean agus air a chruthachadh ann an co-bhann le Pàirc na Camais.

–

Cove Park and The Gaelic Books Council are delighted to announce an open call for applications for the Young Gaelic Writer Residency!

Now in its third edition, the Young Gaelic Writer Residency is a fully funded residency for Gaelic writers aged between 18 and 30. This two-week residency will take place from Monday 27 October to Monday 10 November 2025, and the resident will receive a fee plus travel and research allowance. The deadline for applications is Friday 25 July 2025.

For the Application Guidelines in Gàidhlig, please click here.

This residency is funded by The Gaelic Books Council and developed in collaboration with Cove Park.

Image: Writer working in the Robertson Trust Room.

A person holds several bobbins while making lace by hand.

Saturday Studio Workshop
Lace Making with Cat Auburn
31 August 2025

Join us for our next Saturday Studio with Cat Auburn, an Aotearoa New  Zealand artist now based in Argyll, whose creative practice spans sculpture, heritage crafts, textiles, and film. In this engaging bobbin lace making workshop, designed for children and their parents, participants will discover the art of winding and managing bobbins, setting up traditional lace pillows, following pricking patterns, and weaving simple motifs. These hands-on skills nurture fine motor coordination, patience, and a deep appreciation for a centuries-old craft.

Guided by Cat’s warm and expert instruction, each participant will complete a small lace piece to take home — connecting with the rich heritage of handmade lace while building confidence and creativity.

This two-hour session is suitable for children aged 6 and up, and runs twice during the day. Children over 8 years old may attend without an accompanying adult. If you have questions about workshop accessibility, please get in touch with Emma Henderson (Curator of Engagement). Book via our Ticket Tailor page.

Image courtesy of Cat Auburn.

A group of children standing in a line on an outdoor deck. They are wearing cardboard masks they made.

Cove Park's Engagement Programme:
Call for Artists

Community and collaboration are at the heart of our Engagement programme. We work closely with artists, community groups, schools, youth programmes, and other partners to co-create residencies, commissions, projects, and events. Through these collaborations, we aim to develop strategies for change and explore alternative approaches to the urgent challenges facing our communities.

We are looking to expand our pool of PVG-registered engagement artists to work across the programme in 2025 and 2026.

We welcome artists from all disciplines, including but not limited to craft, visual art, food, music, theatre, dance, literature, and digital media. Applicants should be former Cove Park residents and able to travel to Cove Park or surrounding locations, depending on project needs. The participating artists will be paid at Scottish Artist Union rates.

Find out more and apply here. If you would like to discuss this opportunity, please contact Emma Henderson.

Image: Saturday Studio Workshop at Cove Park (image, Emma Henderson).

Lush green landscape with trees in full bloom.

Summer Micro & One Week Residencies 2025

We are pleased to offer our Summer Micro Residencies again this year. Available from 14 July to 15 August 2025, Micro Residencies can be for as short a time as three nights or up to seven nights. These residencies are an ideal opportunity to meet an upcoming deadline or focus upon new projects and research.

Members of Cove Park's Associates programme will also benefit from a subsidised rate for Micro-Residencies.

For more information please contact Nicola Jamieson (Producer, Open Residencies).

Image: Cove Park's site in summer (photography, Alan Dimmick).

A group of people chatting in the Jacobs Building.

Friends of Cove Park

Cove Park is proud to have a growing community of supporters who believe in the vital work we do to promote national and international cultural exchange and ensure our local rural community has access to innovative and creative learning opportunities as well as protecting the biodiversity of our site.

By becoming a Friend of Cove Park, you will help us to enrich arts, culture and creativity in Argyll and across Scotland, support the global exchange of ideas through our artist residences and save the natural heritage of Cove Park as a space for everyone to enjoy. Wherever you are, you will know your donation is making a vital contribution to the work of Cove Park and our support of artists. If Cove Park and our work means something to you, please consider becoming a Friend today. Learn more and join here.

If you are based in the United States, you can join our American Friends of Cove Park, our tax-effective annual giving programme.

Image: The launch of the Scotland/Japan residency exchange programme at Cove Park, October 2018.

A group of people walking downhill from the Jacobs Building.

Open Fridays 2025

Cove Park's Open Fridays are back! Our beautiful 50-acre site will be open to visitors every Friday afternoon, between 1.00pm and 4.00pm, until Friday 16 September 2025.

We welcome visitors from our local community and beyond for tours of the site, to meet the team, and learn more about Cove Park’s programme of residencies and events.

Open Fridays are free and everyone is welcome. Refreshments will be available.

Please email Rona Grierson or call 01436 850500 to let us know if you would like to visit and if you have any questions about travelling to Cove Park or site accessibility.

Image: Visitors on site at Cove Park (photography, Tommy Ga-Ken Wan)

A large room set up for a presentation with rows of chairs and a tv monitor.

Space Hire 2025

Space Hire welcomes arts organisations, companies, and community groups to Cove Park for meetings and away days. Recent Space Hire participants include: The Common Guild, Comhairle nan Leabhraichean / The Gaelic Books Council, Glasgow International, Missing in Architecture (Glasgow School of Art), The Mount Stuart Trust, Rhubaba, Scottish Opera, and the University of Glasgow (Contemporary Art & Curation).

In 2025 we will continue to offer beautiful spaces and facilities with outstanding views at very competitive rates throughout the year. We are also happy to put groups in touch with local caterers if lunch is required.

Please submit an enquiry form or contact Nicola Jamieson directly for more information and to discuss your specific requirements.

‘Mount Stuart Trust had a brilliant Away Day at Cove Park. We had a dedicated meeting room, fabulous views, and everything we needed: screen, refreshments, and lunch. I can honestly say that it was one of our most productive strategy meetings. So important to get away, and I can’t think of a better space.’

Sophie Crichton Stuart, Chair, The Mount Stuart Trust

Image: Bernat Klein Symposium, March 2025.