Learning the ropes

Seeing is believing

Bold figurative paintings bursting with energy from vast canvases; minimalist abstractions inspired by patterns of rust and rain; 21st century cairns made from traffic cones and tyres; digitally manipulated photographs creating a new fusion of forms; installations of halogen lamps and sea shells: new cartographers of a consciousness fragmented by message overload, with a dazzling array of media at their fingertips, receive an education second to none at Scotland's art schools.

The visual arts have always been held in high esteem in Scotland and today, with artists like Peter Howson, Steven Campbell, Callum Innes, Alison Watt, Alan Davie and David Mach highly regarded on the international arts circuit, Scotland's art schools attract students from both near and far to derive inspiration from the breadth of vision and a new confidence in experimentation that reflects a culture reclaiming its independent identity.

Outstanding performance

A rugged confidence also exists in the Scottish acting community with stars like Ewan Macgregor, Tilda Swinton and Billy Connolly topping the bill of international new film releases. The Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama (RSAMD) in Central Glasgow, as Scotland's only conservatoire, is the breeding ground for much of this talent and the School of Drama's Hall of Fame includes Robert Carlyle, Ian Richardson, Alan Cumming, Tom Conti, Valerie Edmond and Emma Fielding.

The output of musical talent is equally impressive, with Janis Kelly, Felicity Hammond, Lisa Milne and Patrick Doyle heading the list of acclaimed alumni and a vibrant industry led by the Royal National Scottish Orchestra and Scottish Opera awaiting such talents.

The word is out

In a country where writers have been some of its greatest creative talents it's not surprising that moves have been taken to initiate learning opportunities in a discipline that, historically, has had no formal school. Creative writing is now on the curriculum at a number of Scottish Universities and FE Colleges with the flagship course being the M.Litt in Creative Writing offered by St. Andrews University, taught by leading writers like Douglas Dunn, John Burnside and Kathleen Jamie. Each university offers Creative Writing residencies to published writers of note with part of the remit to provide writing tuition to the broader community. Part sponsored by Scottish Arts Council this initiative has also been taken up by a number of regional councils from Shetland to the Scottish Borders thereby providing access to writers in a teaching capacity across the country.

Having the opportunity to spend five days and nights with two established writers in a Highland retreat away from the pressures of everyday life may sound, to the aspiring poet, playwright or novelist, like an opportunity too good to miss. Since 1992, Moniack Mhor (near Inverness) has, in association with the Arvon Foundation, offered just such an opportunity. The centre offers in the region of 20 courses per year to adults and schools, employing top UK writers as tutors and attracting students from as far afield as Australia, India, Sweden and the Czech Republic. And when the writers themselves wish to remove themselves from the world to concentrate on their craft the unique environment of Hawthornden Castle, outside Edinburgh, offers month long retreats.

Putting you in the pictures

The Scottish film and television industry is a wee gem, consistently producing features and programmes of international standing. Scottish Screen is the key development agency for the industry and offers openings for new talent like Tartan Shorts and on-going education and training programmes in all aspects of film-making.

Glasgow is, in many respects, the screen capital of Scotland, being home to both BBC Scotland and Scottish Television. However, since 1997, Edinburgh has boasted one of the most exciting training resources in the film world – Moonstone International. Set up by the widely respected writer-producer John McGrath (who died in January 2002) in consultation with Robert Redford's Sundance Institute, Moonstone is committed to giving emerging film-makers the opportunity to develop innovative work. This revolves around three annual Screen Labs – two for screen writers and one for film-makers – and the initiative was recently awarded over £600,000 to run the workshops over the next three years under the new artistic directorship of Jean-Luc Ormieres.