Locations that say home is where the art is

Kirsty Mcluckie locates inspirational properties which may persuade you to indulge your creative tendencies

The perfect home for an artist might conjure up visions of a home dominated by vast studios with just the right kind of light, but for those practicing their art from home, whether professionally or as a hobby, there are other considerations. Inspiration on the doorstep is one. Jennifer Thomson is a Scottish artist renowned for her paintings of Edinburgh and the East Neuk of Fife.

Her home in Elie is now on the market and she believes that the house has played a major part in her art over the years.

She says: “The East Neuk is such an inspiring place made up of picturesque villages, harbours and beaches with a potential painting around every corner.

“Our house is right in the heart of Elie village with large windows looking out on all directions.

“We can see everything that is going on in the village as well as the sea and a glimpse of the Granary.

“A couple of our windows have window seats where I have often sat and sketched the world below.”

Thomson’s paintings are famed for capturing happy moments in life and the view from the windows of the home, which is a three-bedroomed conversion, is the perfect spot to watch families on holiday and have inspired many of her paintings.

She says: “The house has a special atmosphere too.

“It is steeped in history as it was the home of The Lord Provost Of Elie in the early 1900s who made many important changes to the village such as the introduction of gas and electricity.

“He also ran the surrounding businesses from the house which have created some interesting features such as the half-width door in the hallway which would have originally been used to keep an eye on the baker’s shop.”

It has now been turned into a quirky cupboard.

For those searching for a home where they can look out of the window for inspiration for an artwork, Bridge View Cottage is another consideration.

Set on Ferry Road, North Queensferry, the house has picture postcard views to the Firth of Forth and its bridges.

Upgraded inside to a high standard, with the public rooms and master bedroom having the best of the views, there is also a pretty summer house in the garden which would serve well as an artist’s studio.

The Isle of Jura, part of the Inner Hebrides, is a remote romantic spot with a dramatic landscape.

A two-bedroomed stone-built cottage with a breathtaking outlook to the dominant Paps of Jura and to the sea is on the market for offers over £120,000.

The Bothy features a high wooden-clad ceiling, with natural stone interior and plenty of natural light.

On the upper floor is a large children’s playroom, which has potential to be adapted, perhaps as a studio.

Jura is home to 200 residents and the west coast of the island is wild terrain of raised beaches and caves, packed with wildlife, so providing plenty of subject matter to an artist specialising in landscape or nature.

And if your talents are more literary than in the visual arts, it is to be remembered that George Orwell came to a remote cottage on Jura to write his novel, 1984.