/// THE MAGIC OF MARCHMONT ///
Recently I had the privilege of a months silversmithing residency funded by the Hugo Burge Foundation up in Scotland, on the Marchmont Estate. I used my time there to make a teapot, which will be covered in a separate journal entry. But Marchmont itself, on the Scottish Borders, is such a wonderful place I felt it needed its own journal entry too.
A belter of a sunset over my neighbours pod
Central to Marchmont Estate is the magnificent house, information HERE. As a foundation resident I was invited to a guided tour around part of the house, and I have to say it is the best collection of art and antiques I have ever seen. And I know from the people also on the tour, and those who have been on the tour previously and discussed it with me, my opinion is shared by everyone. It was a real treat and I feel very lucky to have been able to experience it.
Some of the Toulouse geese who greeted me every morning.
My accommodation was in one of the two “hobbits pods” on the estate, a very cosy and comfortable pod with everything you would need inside for a month long stay. These were “protected” by a group of ducks and geese, who you would have to walk through to get to and from the pod and I loved getting to know the personalities of the different breeds. And best of all was the view, the entire end of the pod was glass overlooking the Cheviots. I spent a lot of time early mornings and late evenings sat there watching the colours of the landscape change with the rising and setting sun.
The view from the pod
The silversmithing workshop was a very short walk away from my accommodation, down a little lane covered in lichen because the air there was so clean. It really was idyllic walking back and forth each day, with nothing but the sounds of nature, the wonderful views and occasionally bumping into an illustrator, a painter, a chair maker, a writer, you get the drift, there were lots of other creatives around.
The tower outside the main courtyard
I went for lots of walks around the estate, it was so peaceful and just a very lovely thing to do when I felt like I needed to stretch my legs. Here are some of the many many photos I took on my walks.
Outside of Marchmont, and I’ll be honest I didn’t leave that all that often, my favourite place was Portobello Beach in Edinburgh, which was an almost three hour round trip but very much worth it for the early morning sea swims I managed to fit in while I was there. It was a beautiful spot, with amazing views in all direction. A little different to what I’m used to here in Norfolk, with nothing but the horizon out in front!
I think the main thing that writing this journal has taught me as that you really can’t explain the beauty of Marchmont in words. Or at least I am not articulate enough to. But I will forever be grateful for such an amazing experience of a month in such a wonderful, peaceful, relaxing and nurturing place.
