A studio and exhibition/event space in the North-West Highlands
coming soon….
Opening in 2027, on the shoreline of Wester Ross.
If you’d like to be kept updated, please do get in touch!
Mission Hall Studio
Opinan, by Badachro
Gairloch
Wester Ross
Scotland IV21 2AT
The old Mission Hall, built by the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland in 1895 on the seaside edge of a Croft in Opinan, south of Gairloch, looks out across the dunes and the Inner Sound, towards the northern Trotternish peninsula on the Isle of Skye..
It has recently been acquired by the Scottish/Canadian painter Alison Dunlop, who lives nearby. Her hope is that this light-filled space, blessed with wonderful acoustics, will welcome everyone from the community and beyond to thoughtfully curated exhibitions of work by Highland-based artists and makers and occasional musical events.
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It all began with a dream…For 20 years, Alison dreamt of acquiring the Misson Hall, should the Church ever decide to sell, and turning it into a studio and exhibition space. To her, the building has always felt like an extension of her croft, and the once-in-a-lifetime chance to make that vision a reality finally presented itself this yea..
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When Alison bought the Croft and derelict Crofthouse in 2005, planning permission had already been secured to demolish it and build several characterless bungalows. Alison rejected that option and, instead, committed herself to a decade-long restoration, bringing the house back to life and carefully preserving its Victorian character. She now hopes to do something equally sensitive with the Meeting House, so that it once again has a purpose and positive presence in the community.
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It is hoped that her efforts will enhance the area and preserve its heritage, breathing new life into this small, but not insignificant building.
