It’s going to be BRAW! - Blairgowrie and Rattray arts showcase returns

Release Date: Tuesday 4 August 2026

Image courtesy of Clare McMicking/CraicN Communications

News Release August 2026

It’s going to be BRAW!

Blairgowrie and Rattray arts showcase returns

Volunteers behind the It’s BRAW (Blairgowrie and Rattray Arts for Wellbeing) Festival are putting the final preparations in place for the 2026 showcase this month.

Artists and creatives in the east Perthshire town are hosting a series of events including an art exhibition, craft workshops, and music sessions as part of the It’s BRAW! festival, which aims to highlight the wealth of creative talent in the area and support the wellbeing of people in the local community and beyond by providing opportunities to participate in arts, crafts, and music activities.

Now in its ninth year, the volunteer-run initiative encourages people to try out new skills and hobbies while at the same time giving professional artists the opportunity to showcase their skills.

As part of the showcase month, a number of businesses in the town centre also take part in the ‘BRAW windows of Blair’ competition, bringing a splash of colour to Blairgowrie during the festival and demonstrating their own creativity.

Rattray Art Festival celebrates the talent and skills of local creative artists and makers and features hundreds of original paintings and unique hand-crafted artworks and ceramics.

This year, the featured artist is Douglas Roulston, a Scottish landscape artist who is inspired by Highland myths and the power of nature.

Other artists who will be exhibiting include Tina Gliddon, Stewart Graham, Trevor Taylor, David Mackenzie, Michelle Hewitt, Liudmyla Kurta-Stehun, Jeannie Webster, Jim Webster, Kathleen Coupar, Cathy Doe, Janice Lang, Sabrin Miller, Margaret Cumming, Neil Paterson, Jilly Henderson, Kate Smart, Lana Cullins, Peter Picasso, Rhona Chambers, Dougie Mackie, Mairi Urquhart, Marianne Frew, Dave Murry, Sandy McCurdy, Derek Colley, Derrick Young and Dawn Ingram.

Sponsored by the A Proctor Group, HW Irvine Butchers, Graham Hygiene Services, Thrums Vets, Croft Garage, DMR Recovery and Care Crew, the Rattray Art Festival raises money for worthwhile causes every year with 20 per cent of sales made during the event generously donated by the artists. This year, donations will be made to Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance (SCAA) and Guide Dogs Scotland.

A number of crafts-based workshops, led by the team at Blairgowrie-based Nest Creative Spaces, will take place where participants will be able to try out – among other things – crochet for beginners, glass etching and making a resin-dipped flower bouquet. There will also be a special needle felting ‘crafternoon tea’.

The Blair Ukes group will be performing with the PKAVS Wisecraft ‘Good Vibrations’ choir on Tuesday, August 18th, at 1pm in the Wisecraft building on Lower Mill Street, as well as hosting a jamming session at the Ericht Ale House on Wednesday, July 26th from 7pm to 9.30pm, and an informal play- along in the Wellmeadow on Saturday, August 29th.

Wisecraft is hosting a free community wellbeing zine workshop on Thursday, August 6th, from 10am to 12.30pm where people can design and craft their own page of the Wisecraft wellbeing magazine, sharing things that bring them joy.  

And on Friday, August 7th, from 6.30pm to 8pm, there will be a make and mocktail session at Wisecraft where participants can paint and decorate ceramic bird feeders / houses and enjoy three garden-themed mocktails. This event is suitable for over 16s and should be booked in advance.

The team behind the celebration of arts, crafts, and music, which is supported by Blairgowrie and Rattray Development Trust (BRDT) through its Community Group Support package, is looking forward to another braw month.

Lesley McDonald is chair of It’s BRAW! She said: “The It’s BRAW! Festival is always a wonderful series of events and there is a real ‘feel good’ factor to the various events and activities taking place.

“Perusing the BRAW windows of Blair is a great way to spend some time in between workshops – they bring a real splash of colour to the town and we can’t wait to see the creative displays from the businesses taking part in the competition once again this year.”

For further details, follow ‘It’s BRAW Blairgowrie & Rattray Arts for Wellbeing’ on social media.

For further information or media enquiries, please contact Clare McMicking on 07514 343 042 or [email protected]

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