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Bothy Project is a unique and independent charitable organisation operating in a set of rural contexts, providing creative residencies in bespoke small-scale, off-grid spaces to explore creativity, landscape and living simply.
We provide residencies for practitioners in visual arts, craft & design, music, literature and performance, as well as thinkers, researchers and people local to each bothy. Our residencies are supported by a public programme which endeavours to share the most interesting and memorable learning generated by residents through a series of talks, podcasts and posters.
Active in Scotland since 2011, Bothy Project was initiated by artist Bobby Niven and architect Iain MacLeod, as part of the 2011 RSA Residencies for Scotland Programme. Since then, we have hosted nearly 400 residencies. Residencies are currently held at Sweeney’s Bothy, a bespoke off-grid building in unique surroundings on the Isle of Eigg.
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Sweeney's Bothy, Isle of Eigg. Photo Andrew Ridley.Studio Facilities
Sweeney’s Bothy is a modern off-grid, live/work space designed specifically for artists’ residencies. It is a comfortable and warm space heated by a wood-burning stove.
Facilities include a library, desk and chair, mezzanine double bed, kitchenette, wood-burning stove (with hot plate and oven), gas hob, outdoor shower, composting toilet and renewable energy system (electric and hot water).
The bothy strikes a balance between the priorities for making-thinking-doing and connecting with the surrounding environment. Facilities at the bothy have been designed to support residents’ focus and diminish the distractions of digitally connected life. As such there is no wifi and limited power and phone signal at the bothy.For further details, please see Sweeney’s Bothy travel & facilities webpage.
Costs
Cost of residency at Sweeney’s Bothy: £720 per week (subsidised by 20%)
Including 7 nights of Bothy accommodation, bedding, firewood, cleaning, transport to/from Eigg pier to Bothy.
Minimum Period
Minimum stay: 1 week. The residency can be split over several visits.
Maximum Period
By negotiation. Sweeney’s Bothy is a simple dwelling and we find people enjoy to stay for 1-2 weeks at a time. Longer residencies can be proposed and discussed but we advise splitting a longer residency over a number of visits.
Other facilities
N/A
Support offered
Bothy Project staff will meet with the selected resident (either in-person or online) to provide advice and support regarding the residency. Prior to and during the residency, the resident will be supported by Sweeney’s Bothy’s host who lives on the Isle of Eigg and can connect the resident to Eigg’s community and events.
The RSA Partnership Residency cost is discounted by 20%. No other financial support is available
Promotional support offered
The RSA residency and artist will be promoted through Bothy Project’s website, newsletter and social media platforms.
Exhibition opportunities
There is the possibility for the selected resident to participate in Bothy Project’s public programme of talks, podcasts and posters.
Accommodation offered
Sweeney’s Bothy is designed to suit solo-occupancy and features a mezzanine double bed (bedding provided), an outdoor shower and an external composting toilet.
Travel
Residents must travel to the Isle of Eigg by ferry. We recommend that residents take the Mallaig to Eigg ferry and encourage travel to Mallaig by train.
For further details, please see Sweeney’s Bothy travel & facilities webpage.
Accessibility
There are limitations to physical accessibility at Sweeney’s Bothy. To discuss specific access needs, please contact Bothy Project directly.
Insurance
Bothy Project provides insurance for Sweeney’s Bothy and its contents. We recommend that residents take out their own liability/travel insurance.
For further details please visit bothyproject.com
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Isle of Eigg
