Argyll Hope Spot - Snorkelling Residency

Written By Kirsty Currie

In September 2025, I took part in the Argyll Hope Spot Snorkelling Residency along with 7 other artists. Probably one of the most unique artists residencies offered in the world - we snorkelled twice a day in various habitats within the Hope Spot - including rocky reefs, seagrass meadows, kelp forests, and maerl and sea oak beds. Being tutored by wildlife artists, swim coaches and Gaelic speakers as we went, we learned about these unique habitats and the incredible species that are found there, how to capture it by drawing underwater and how the Gaelic language is intrinsic to the land of Argyll.

Map of the Argyll Hope Spot - stretching from Loch Sunart to Loch Sween

The Argyll Hope Spot is a community-led celebration of this part of Scotland’s world-class natural riches. It is the first Hope Spot in the mainland UK. Hope Spots are special places, vital for the ocean’s health, linked by the international organisation Mission Blue. This growing global network also includes the Galapagos Islands and Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, with Argylls marine wildlife being more diverse than anywhere else in the UK

We always walked into the water single file to protect the sea bed

I’ve known about this residency since moving to Oban from Glasgow three years ago, and it’s always been something I hoped to apply for—but until this year, I didn’t feel quite ready. At first, coming from the city, I didn’t have a strong connection to the sea, nor much experience in the water. Over time, though, that changed. The longer I’ve lived here, the deeper my relationship with the sea and the environment of Argyll has become. Swimming and being in nature has become a regular, grounding part of my life—essential to my mental health. More recently, I took up snorkelling and have become a bit obsessed with discovering what lies beneath the surface, which has only strengthened that connection to the water.At the same time, I’ve felt increasingly drawn to Gaelic language and culture. My artistic practice has also evolved,  I’ve spent the past year focusing on my sketchbook practice and drawing outside more often which has allowed me to really focus my work in exploring Scotland’s natural and cultural heritage and encouraging people to engage with what’s on their doorstep. The experience of the residency felt like a natural extension of all of this.  With that clarity, it finally felt like the right time to apply.

When I was offered a place I was so excited, I knew this would be an incredible opportunity and perfect for exactly where I was at in my journey as an artist. 

Me drawing underwater with my easel, this was just before I dropped my easel to the bottom!

On the first day, we began by getting to know each other and learning about the incredible marine species we might encounter—many of which I’d never heard of, let alone expected to find in Argyll. After checking our gear and wetsuits, Dan, our swim coach and Gaelic tutor, taught us a calming breathing technique before we entered the water with Lottie, our other swim coach and seaweed expert. With this new awareness, my first snorkel on the residency felt completely different—I felt like I was able to spot far more than I usually would. After our snorkel, we did some observational drawing excersises on the pier with Jane and Louise, our art tutors, before setting up our underwater easels and getting into the water with them. Trying underwater sketching for the first time was a challenge, but such an interesting way to look closely and interpret what I was seeing. (Though I did drop my easel to the sea floor—thankfully, Dan dove down to rescue it!) After just that first day, I felt exhausted but amazed at how much we’d done, and it was only the beginning!

Snakelocks Anenome on Seagrass

The next day, we visited the Seawilding Centre to learn about seagrass and oyster restoration, gaining a real appreciation for their importance, particularly to climate change resilience. Snorkelling in the nearby seagrass meadow was stunning—the colours were so rich and inspiring. Later that day we also snorkelled through a kelp forest, where the light filtering through the columns of seaweed felt magical. That afternoon, we were introduced to geli plate printing, experimenting with colour and shape as we interpreted what we had seen in the water so far on the residency. 

Lightbulb Sea Squirt surrounded by Black Brittle Stars in clumps around Sea Oak.

On day three, we visited my favourite site of all: a vibrant spot in South Argyll teeming with life—brittle stars, sea squirts, sea slugs, pipefish, urchins, maerl, and more. I was completely mesmerised and slightly overwhelmed - there was just so much to see! At this point I felt really confident in my drawing underwater, I never made masterpieces but it became easier for me to translate what I was seeing after lots of experimentation with paper, drawing materials and techniques.  That afternoon, we had a ceilidh with Dan and Allie. Allie beautifully sang some Gaelic songs and Dan gave us some phrases and vocabulary in Gaelic relating to the sea, specific to Argyll. For example I really enjoyed these phrases ‘Gabhaidh sinn am tràigh oirnn’ - We’ll take the beach on us, and ‘Togamaid oirnn chun na mara’ - lets lift/ raise ourselves to the sea.

The Seashore Safari with tanks on the beach

On the morning of the last day, we did a seashore safari with Heart of Argyll Wildlife. A tank was set up on the beach and we were each given a bucket and net, anything we found we could bring back to the tank and look at up close - I had so much fun, I felt like a kid again. I couldn’t believe how much life there was just at the shore hiding within the seaweed and I was pleased I managed to find some tiny sicklebacks and shrimp to put into the tank. That afternoon, we attempted a snorkel at the same beach but the wind and rain had really picked up so it was a bit of a challenge, but nonetheless an invigorating last swim on the residency! To round it all off we spent the final few hours doing more geli plate printing and I took the opportunity to make some quick paper collages, starting to reflect on everything I had seen and experienced on the residency. After that we went our separate ways and I felt quite emotional. It was a lovely way to end this incredible experience I had shared with this amazing group of people. 

Here are some snippets of a little journal I kept whilst on the residency, jotting down what happened and what I experienced day by day through drawings and writing. 

Taking part in this residency has been such a special and transformative experience. It was my first ever residency, and I feel incredibly lucky that it happened right here on my doorstep in Argyll. I feel so much more connected than ever to where I live, deepening that love for the sea and with the knowledge of the habitats and eco systems within it, I am so much more motivated to protect it. It’s also sparked a stronger desire to keep learning Gaelic, Dan’s knowledge and guidance were hugely inspiring in that regard. As someone who usually works alone, one of the most valuable parts of this experience was spending time with other artists. Sharing creative conversations and daily snorkels brought a real sense of community—something I didn’t realise I’d been missing working at home alone! I finished the residency with so much creative inspiration and I can’t wait to see how this experience shapes my work moving forward. 

In the coming months the snorkelling artists will create a group response to this experience - so watch this space for that! 

Thanks for reading, I hope this inspires you to get out and explore whats on your doorstep wherever you are!


All underwater photos by Louise Scammell

A shoal of two spot goby’s

Notes on Materials…etc!

Some of the easels we used under water


Underwater Drawing Materials
These are just things that worked well for me - experiment in your bathroom sink and see what worked best for you!

Caran d ache crayons non water soluble crayons - gave a really nice bold pigment underwater

Yupo paper

Ikea box lid with simple binder clips, cord and elastic bands for the underwater easel

Snorkelling Equipment

Snorkel

Tow float

Swimming Cap

Wetsuit

Wetsuit Gloves/ Socks

Things that helped with cosiness/comfort out of the water

Dry Robe

Crocs

Other artists on the residency

Beth Anderson

Janette Ayachi

Georgia Crook

Sarah Farrell

Freya Lennox

Kate Millbank

Helen Woolston

Tutors

Lottie Goodlet (Sound of Jura Seaweeds)

Dan the Merman

Louise Scammell

Jane Smith

Argyll Hope Spot Staff

Keira Anderson

Danielle Banks

Argyll Hope Spot supporters

Kirsty Currie
Next

Sketchbook Tour Feb - August ‘25