SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS
Small group painting retreat (Todd Bonita)
September 27 - October 03, 2026
SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS
Small group Painting retreat (Todd Bonita)
September 27 -October 03, 2026
(Limit 9) $3,450 All Inclusive w/Private chef.
* All Inclusive (6 night Lodge w/ Single occupancy w/ private bath/ Private chef serving all Breakfasts / Lunches / dinners / Airport transfers / ground transport to paint sites.
Call Todd to Register: (603) 819-9100
or email: [email protected]
(*Get on the early bird list for 2027)
🎨 Highlands in Paint: A 6-Night Plein Air Retreat in the Scottish Highlands. Unplug. Paint. Be Inspired.
Join us for an unforgettable 6-night plein air painting retreat set in the breathtaking Scottish Highlands. Nestled not far from Inverness, this retreat invites artists of all levels to immerse themselves in the raw beauty of Scotland—its ancient castles, misty lochs, rolling hills, and ever-changing skies.
Whether you're a seasoned plein air painter or just beginning your creative journey, you'll find endless inspiration in this land of atmospheric light, myth and magic.
🎨 What You'll Experience
🌄 Locations You’ll Paint
🧳 What’s Included
💷 Pricing $3,450
(9) Limited spots to ensure personal attention—reserve early!
🎒 What to Bring You’ll need your personal art supplies, sturdy shoes and a sense of adventure!
🖌 Reserve Your Spot Spaces are limited to keep the group small and intimate.
Call Todd to Register: (603) 819-9100
or email: [email protected]
Scroll below for:
Registration
Accommodations / meals
Travel / Passport
Art Supply
Itinerary
FAQ
More.
Small group Painting retreat (Todd Bonita)
September 27 -October 03, 2026
(Limit 9) $3,450 All Inclusive w/Private chef.
* All Inclusive (6 night Lodge w/ Single occupancy w/ private bath/ Private chef serving all Breakfasts / Lunches / dinners / Airport transfers / ground transport to paint sites.
Call Todd to Register: (603) 819-9100
or email: [email protected]
(*Get on the early bird list for 2027)
🎨 Highlands in Paint: A 6-Night Plein Air Retreat in the Scottish Highlands. Unplug. Paint. Be Inspired.
Join us for an unforgettable 6-night plein air painting retreat set in the breathtaking Scottish Highlands. Nestled not far from Inverness, this retreat invites artists of all levels to immerse themselves in the raw beauty of Scotland—its ancient castles, misty lochs, rolling hills, and ever-changing skies.
Whether you're a seasoned plein air painter or just beginning your creative journey, you'll find endless inspiration in this land of atmospheric light, myth and magic.
🎨 What You'll Experience
- Daily Painting Excursions
Paint en plein air at stunning Highland locations, from romantic castle ruins to tranquil lochsides, and dramatic glens. - Expert Guidance & critiques.
Enjoy group critiques, and one-on-one feedback sessions with Todd Bonita, an experienced plein air artist and mentor. - Cozy Highland Accommodations
Stay in a charming countryside lodge just outside Inverness—featuring a private chef, comfortable, en-suite rooms, and hearty Scottish meals. - Art & Nature in Harmony
Let the rhythm of nature guide your brushstrokes as we sketch and paint amidst some of the most iconic and peaceful scenery in all of Scotland. - Community & Creativity
Connect with fellow artists during group meals, fireside chats, and shared outdoor studio time.
🌄 Locations You’ll Paint
- Loch Ness and its mysterious waters
- The ruins of Urquhart Castle
- Glen Affric’s ancient pine forest and waterfalls
- Quaint Highland villages with stone cottages and vibrant gardens
- Windswept moors, heathered hills, and panoramic views
🧳 What’s Included
- 6 nights accommodation in a private, en-suite room.
- Private chef providing in-home meals (breakfast, picnic lunch, and 4 of 6 dinners) *We will dine out on location twice.
- Daily painting critiques and mentor guidance.
- Transportation to painting locations
- airport pickup / drop off from Inverness
💷 Pricing $3,450
(9) Limited spots to ensure personal attention—reserve early!
🎒 What to Bring You’ll need your personal art supplies, sturdy shoes and a sense of adventure!
🖌 Reserve Your Spot Spaces are limited to keep the group small and intimate.
Call Todd to Register: (603) 819-9100
or email: [email protected]
Scroll below for:
Registration
Accommodations / meals
Travel / Passport
Art Supply
Itinerary
FAQ
More.
REGISTER
REGISTRATION:
$3,450 All Inclusive
* Non-painting guest $1,800).
* 6 Nights accommodations in our Private estate w/ en-suite bath.
* Private in-house chef prepared meals. All breakfasts, All picnic lunches and dinners.
* Ground transfer from Inverness airport to our Estate (35 mintes away).
* Ground transfer return to Inverness airport.
* Ground transport in the Highlands to all painting sights.
* Demonstrations, Critiques, Lectures, Painting location guide
* (Does not include air, travel insurance).
Call Todd Bonita (603) 819-9100
email: [email protected]
$500 Deposit to reserve your space. Check made out to Todd Bonita and mailed to:
Todd Bonita
28 McShane Ave
Greenland, NH 03840
Please write, "SCOTLAND" in the memo on the check.
CANCELATION / REFUND POLICY:
* 120 days notice or more refunded 100% of your payment to date, less $50 deposit admin and thrid party admin fee.
* 90 days notice or more refunded 100% of your payment to date, less $250 deposit admin and thrird party admin fee.
* Less than 60 days NO REFUNDS. NO EXCEPTIONS.
I recommend you arrange for travel insurance in the unlikely event of an unintended disruptions to your travel plans. Please understand that your deposits are used so that we can reserve our accommodations, transportation and reservations to third parties. For this reason, we have a strict, refund / cancellation policy that honors our agreement to these third parties. Registration in this workshop presumes you have read the refund / cancellation policy and agree to it. To confirm you have read the policy, we will ask for a confirmation email to follow your registration.
In the event that you must cancel, your deposit and / or installment payments will be forfeited as detailed by the dates shown above. We will make every effort to find a wait-listed alternate to take your place.
$3,450 All Inclusive
* Non-painting guest $1,800).
* 6 Nights accommodations in our Private estate w/ en-suite bath.
* Private in-house chef prepared meals. All breakfasts, All picnic lunches and dinners.
* Ground transfer from Inverness airport to our Estate (35 mintes away).
* Ground transfer return to Inverness airport.
* Ground transport in the Highlands to all painting sights.
* Demonstrations, Critiques, Lectures, Painting location guide
* (Does not include air, travel insurance).
Call Todd Bonita (603) 819-9100
email: [email protected]
$500 Deposit to reserve your space. Check made out to Todd Bonita and mailed to:
Todd Bonita
28 McShane Ave
Greenland, NH 03840
Please write, "SCOTLAND" in the memo on the check.
CANCELATION / REFUND POLICY:
* 120 days notice or more refunded 100% of your payment to date, less $50 deposit admin and thrid party admin fee.
* 90 days notice or more refunded 100% of your payment to date, less $250 deposit admin and thrird party admin fee.
* Less than 60 days NO REFUNDS. NO EXCEPTIONS.
I recommend you arrange for travel insurance in the unlikely event of an unintended disruptions to your travel plans. Please understand that your deposits are used so that we can reserve our accommodations, transportation and reservations to third parties. For this reason, we have a strict, refund / cancellation policy that honors our agreement to these third parties. Registration in this workshop presumes you have read the refund / cancellation policy and agree to it. To confirm you have read the policy, we will ask for a confirmation email to follow your registration.
In the event that you must cancel, your deposit and / or installment payments will be forfeited as detailed by the dates shown above. We will make every effort to find a wait-listed alternate to take your place.
ACCOMMODATIONS
FLIGHT
Inverness airport* I am flying into Inverness airport. Its the largest airport in the vicinity of the Highlands and aproximately 35 minutes from our estate.. We will pick you up from the airport on Sunday sometime between 1- 4pm. Please send us your flight info when you book your flight and we can give you a specific time for pick up in that window.
PASSPORT
* If Scotland is an International flight for you, you will require a passport. Make sure yours is up to date and not expired. If your passport expires within three months of travel, you will need to update it.
FLYING w/ PAINT (TSA)
* PLEASE NOTE * Pack your oil paints in your luggage and NOT your carry-on. You CAN travel with Gamsol brush cleaner, it is TSA approved for your packed luggage. on international flights, you will not be able to travel with Liquin, it has a flashpoint above the TSA regulated, fit to fly rule. Print this Airline Inspectors sheet below and keep it with your paints, packed in your luggage.
GAMBLIN (Travel with paint tips)
This is an excellent, soup to nuts over view of how to travel with your paints and deal with TSA and insure best odds of smooth travel. CLICK HERE.
Inverness airport* I am flying into Inverness airport. Its the largest airport in the vicinity of the Highlands and aproximately 35 minutes from our estate.. We will pick you up from the airport on Sunday sometime between 1- 4pm. Please send us your flight info when you book your flight and we can give you a specific time for pick up in that window.
PASSPORT
* If Scotland is an International flight for you, you will require a passport. Make sure yours is up to date and not expired. If your passport expires within three months of travel, you will need to update it.
FLYING w/ PAINT (TSA)
* PLEASE NOTE * Pack your oil paints in your luggage and NOT your carry-on. You CAN travel with Gamsol brush cleaner, it is TSA approved for your packed luggage. on international flights, you will not be able to travel with Liquin, it has a flashpoint above the TSA regulated, fit to fly rule. Print this Airline Inspectors sheet below and keep it with your paints, packed in your luggage.
GAMBLIN (Travel with paint tips)
This is an excellent, soup to nuts over view of how to travel with your paints and deal with TSA and insure best odds of smooth travel. CLICK HERE.
ART SUPPLY LIST
ART SUPPLY LIST
(Click here to go to an illustrated page of my Plein air painting supplies)
(Think light weight and portable, find creative ways to simplify...I manage to pack everything below in a back pack. I get most of my supplies online at ASW, Jerrys Artarama, Dick Blick, Cheap Joes or Utrecht).
Portable Easel
French easel, half box easel or Pochade box for working outside.
(I use the 8x10" or 10x12" Open Box M system and sometimes the 6x8" Guerilla box for traveling, both are mounted to a photographers tripod. If you prefer the French easels, go with the lighter and smaller Jullian Half box easel. Last year I also bought the Cadillac of outdoor easels, The Soletek easel. It's not cheap, I bought mine used on Ebay. You might check Ebay or try "All of Craigslist" search for whatever easel you decide to go with. * Here is a terrific article on Pochade Box reviews from the popular Lines and Colors blog. This will give you a thorough understanding of whats available and best for you. Click here.
Palette
I recommend a wood palette....try to avoid paper pallets.
Paint
*(I recommend a minimal palette of a warm and cool version of the three primaries plus white (with maybe a few extras)....Please spend the extra for professional grade paints. I use Williamsburg, Winsor & Newton, Gamblin and Utrecht but there are many good options.)
Alkyd White (Alkyd is a quick dry paint that plays nice with oils. For brands, my favorite is Winsor & Newtons Griffin Alkyd. There are many other excellent quick dry whites.
Titanium White
Cad Yellow
Yellow ochre
Alizeran Crimson
Cadmium Red
Ultramarine Blue
Cerulean Blue or Pthalo blue
Burnt Sienna
Sap Green
Ivory black (*Optional)
raw Umber(*Optional)
Painting surface
Canvas, canvas or linen mounted on board or gessoed wood panel (sizes can range from 6x8” to 14x18” but I would not go larger)...For a travel workshop like this, I will likely limit myself to only one or two sizes, like 8x10". This will simplify my wet carrier system as well.
Brushes
*Assortment of bristle brushes (I suggest large, medium and small in three styles: Flats, Rounds and Filberts. I mostly use Robert Simmons Signet series flats #3, #6 and #10)
*One or two Royal sable flats in medium and large sizes (size 10 or 16) for blending and softening edges (I prefer Langnickel.)
*Small synthetic rounds for details. (I suggest Winsor and Newton Septre Gold 2 in the 404 series...size 4 and / or size 6)
Other
Trowel type Pallet knife
liquin ***You cannot travel with Liquin*** There are many quick dry mediums flight friendly, like Gamblins solvent free gel.
Gamsol ***You cannot travel w/ Gamsol or Solvents*** I will provide Gamsol when you get there for $10 per can.
paper towels (Blue shop towels are the best)
Ruler, straight edge or a mahl stick (something to make straight lines with is handy)
A Veiwfinder: Important! Whether homemade or store bought, it must be adjustable or proportionate to your canvases. Viewcatcher is good.
Artist paint box or back pack for supplies
Wet paint carrier. I love the PanelPaks...they are lightweight and convenient.
*Appropriate clothing for outdoor weather and conditions.
Optional
Hat
sunglasses
Water bottle or something to drink, snack
Sun block
Camera
Umbrella
(Click here to go to an illustrated page of my Plein air painting supplies)
(Think light weight and portable, find creative ways to simplify...I manage to pack everything below in a back pack. I get most of my supplies online at ASW, Jerrys Artarama, Dick Blick, Cheap Joes or Utrecht).
Portable Easel
French easel, half box easel or Pochade box for working outside.
(I use the 8x10" or 10x12" Open Box M system and sometimes the 6x8" Guerilla box for traveling, both are mounted to a photographers tripod. If you prefer the French easels, go with the lighter and smaller Jullian Half box easel. Last year I also bought the Cadillac of outdoor easels, The Soletek easel. It's not cheap, I bought mine used on Ebay. You might check Ebay or try "All of Craigslist" search for whatever easel you decide to go with. * Here is a terrific article on Pochade Box reviews from the popular Lines and Colors blog. This will give you a thorough understanding of whats available and best for you. Click here.
Palette
I recommend a wood palette....try to avoid paper pallets.
Paint
*(I recommend a minimal palette of a warm and cool version of the three primaries plus white (with maybe a few extras)....Please spend the extra for professional grade paints. I use Williamsburg, Winsor & Newton, Gamblin and Utrecht but there are many good options.)
Alkyd White (Alkyd is a quick dry paint that plays nice with oils. For brands, my favorite is Winsor & Newtons Griffin Alkyd. There are many other excellent quick dry whites.
Titanium White
Cad Yellow
Yellow ochre
Alizeran Crimson
Cadmium Red
Ultramarine Blue
Cerulean Blue or Pthalo blue
Burnt Sienna
Sap Green
Ivory black (*Optional)
raw Umber(*Optional)
Painting surface
Canvas, canvas or linen mounted on board or gessoed wood panel (sizes can range from 6x8” to 14x18” but I would not go larger)...For a travel workshop like this, I will likely limit myself to only one or two sizes, like 8x10". This will simplify my wet carrier system as well.
Brushes
*Assortment of bristle brushes (I suggest large, medium and small in three styles: Flats, Rounds and Filberts. I mostly use Robert Simmons Signet series flats #3, #6 and #10)
*One or two Royal sable flats in medium and large sizes (size 10 or 16) for blending and softening edges (I prefer Langnickel.)
*Small synthetic rounds for details. (I suggest Winsor and Newton Septre Gold 2 in the 404 series...size 4 and / or size 6)
Other
Trowel type Pallet knife
liquin ***You cannot travel with Liquin*** There are many quick dry mediums flight friendly, like Gamblins solvent free gel.
Gamsol ***You cannot travel w/ Gamsol or Solvents*** I will provide Gamsol when you get there for $10 per can.
paper towels (Blue shop towels are the best)
Ruler, straight edge or a mahl stick (something to make straight lines with is handy)
A Veiwfinder: Important! Whether homemade or store bought, it must be adjustable or proportionate to your canvases. Viewcatcher is good.
Artist paint box or back pack for supplies
Wet paint carrier. I love the PanelPaks...they are lightweight and convenient.
*Appropriate clothing for outdoor weather and conditions.
Optional
Hat
sunglasses
Water bottle or something to drink, snack
Sun block
Camera
Umbrella
ITINERARY
ITINERARY
Day 1 (Sunday : Arrive in Inverness. We will pick you up between 1 -4 pm and take you to our private estate (About thrirty-five minutes). Sunday is a free day to relax from travel if you wish. Please feel free to meet us for a drink before our Chef prepared dinner at 7:30pm.
Day 2 (Monday : First day of retreat begins after breakfast. Brekfast is prepared by our private chef and served between 7 -9 in the dining room. We wil meet with our gear, ready to paint at 9am, after breakfast, out front. A bagged lunch will be waiting for you so all you have to do is paint, relax and enjoy the Scottish landscape. This will be our daily routine. We will paint a nearby motif, break for lunch, relax, critique our morning paint and finish up or start another painting until 4pm. We will make our way back to our estate, cocktail hour 6:30 - dinner 7pm.
Day 3 - 6 (Tuesday - Friday): Our routine will be the same as above, painting in a different nearby town, castle, Loch or landscape daily. Most painting excursions will be within a twenty minute or less drive with the exception of Eileen Donan Castle, which will be an hour and a half drive but well worth it.
Day 7 (Saturday) A coach will pick us up at 9am in fron of the estate after breakfast. Please have your luggage ready for your thirty-five minute transport to Inverness airport.
Day 1 (Sunday : Arrive in Inverness. We will pick you up between 1 -4 pm and take you to our private estate (About thrirty-five minutes). Sunday is a free day to relax from travel if you wish. Please feel free to meet us for a drink before our Chef prepared dinner at 7:30pm.
Day 2 (Monday : First day of retreat begins after breakfast. Brekfast is prepared by our private chef and served between 7 -9 in the dining room. We wil meet with our gear, ready to paint at 9am, after breakfast, out front. A bagged lunch will be waiting for you so all you have to do is paint, relax and enjoy the Scottish landscape. This will be our daily routine. We will paint a nearby motif, break for lunch, relax, critique our morning paint and finish up or start another painting until 4pm. We will make our way back to our estate, cocktail hour 6:30 - dinner 7pm.
Day 3 - 6 (Tuesday - Friday): Our routine will be the same as above, painting in a different nearby town, castle, Loch or landscape daily. Most painting excursions will be within a twenty minute or less drive with the exception of Eileen Donan Castle, which will be an hour and a half drive but well worth it.
Day 7 (Saturday) A coach will pick us up at 9am in fron of the estate after breakfast. Please have your luggage ready for your thirty-five minute transport to Inverness airport.
F.A.Q. (Frequently Asked Questions)
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
....."Prossimamente".....
1) What if it rains?
We will sing songs about the rain. We will find an outdoor spot with ample, overhead coverage and paint. Alternatively, the estate we are staying in has large rooms that have accommodated inside painting.
2) What if my plane is delayed on arrival?
The latest our vendor can provide pick up is at 4pm Sunday arrival at the airport as a group. If your plane arrives after 4, you will be responsible for the one hour taxi / coach / Uber to our Estate. I am more than happy to assist you with logistical info and arranging for your pcik up / drop off. We got your back.
....."Prossimamente".....
1) What if it rains?
We will sing songs about the rain. We will find an outdoor spot with ample, overhead coverage and paint. Alternatively, the estate we are staying in has large rooms that have accommodated inside painting.
2) What if my plane is delayed on arrival?
The latest our vendor can provide pick up is at 4pm Sunday arrival at the airport as a group. If your plane arrives after 4, you will be responsible for the one hour taxi / coach / Uber to our Estate. I am more than happy to assist you with logistical info and arranging for your pcik up / drop off. We got your back.
