With 27 inhabited islands and some of Scotland’s most breathtaking landscape, it is no wonder Argyll is an inspirational place.

At one time the centre of the Gaelic Kingdom of Dalriada, and later the seat of the Lords of the Isles in Islay, this is a land unique in Scottish history.

The two distinct peninsulas of Cowal and Kintyre each have their own individual stories to tell as do Oban and Lorne, Mid Argyll and the islands of Mull, Bute, Iona, Jura and many others.

Art, music and literature are as much a part of the Argyll story as the lochs, forests, towns and hundreds of miles of coastline that make it such a diverse and at times complex region.   If you are involved in the Arts in a professional or voluntary capacity, or are simply visiting the area and want to know what’s going on, these pages are for you and will keep you up to date with news, events and directory listings for galleries, venues and festivals.

If Argyll is at times difficult to define as one culture it is nonetheless unmistakable, and always fascinating. It is thought the Book of Kells was written and decorated at Iona, the island monastery founded by Saint Columba in the sixth century. The first document ever printed in Scots Gaelic, the translation of Knox’s Liturgy, was created at Carnassarie Castle near Kilmartin.

Many centuries later, and certainly in a very different vein, multi award winning novelist Alan Warner from Connel introduced the world to the enigmatic Morvern Callar, in the novel subsequently adapted for film by Lynne Ramsay. George Orwell wrote 1984 on the island of Jura and Argyll has also been home to Dr. Iain Crichton Smith, Neil Munro, Naomi Mitchison and Sir Fitzroy MacLean (said by many to be Ian Fleming’s real life inspiration for the character of James Bond).

On film, Argyll locations have featured significantly in When Eight Bells Toll, The Eye of the Needle, Entrapment and Ring of Bright Water. Of particular note, the much loved Ealing Studios production The Maggie was filmed extensively around the Crinan Canal and Isle of Islay; the Powell and Pressburger classic I Know Where I’m Going is set on the Isle of Mull and includes some iconic cinematography of the Corryvreckan whirlpool between the islands of Jura and Scarba.

The Mod (now the Royal National Mod) was founded in Oban in 1891 and of course Fingals Cave on the island of Staffa was the inspiration for Mendelssohn’s Hebridean Overture. Today’s musicians and bands with deep roots in Argyll include Capercaillie, Lau (Aidan O’Rourke), The Mull Historical Society (Colin Macintyre), Archie McAllister and the Sorren Maclean Band.

Although maintaining vital links with heritage and tradition, Arts and cultural organisations in Argyll and the Islands are very much in the business of moving forward with a commitment to leading edge contemporary art, theatre and music that is world class.

New and established festivals are showcasing the best of Scottish and international performers and engaging with heritage, art and the environment in increasingly innovative ways.

As a project developed in partnership with Argyll & Bute Council, this web portal aims to assist in adding to that momentum. If you work in the Arts please contact us with your events details and news. If you are a visitor, you’ll find there is much to discover here. Enjoy the journey!