Bertram Aitchison Art History Breaks January 2026.

Bertram Aitchison is a graduate in Art History from Birkbeck College in the University of London. He has since worked as Senior Lecturer and Academic Advisor to the American Institute for Foreign Study in London, specialising in Western European Art History.

Following his move to Moffat, he has held the position of Secretary to the Dumfries and Galloway Fine Art Society, and resident speaker for the South West of Scotland Art History Society for the last ten years. He is currently one of the visiting speakers on Art History at Higham Hall in Cumbria.

The essence of Scottish art

Scottish artists responded in the early days to the momentum of the Enlightenment and inevitably new ideas and styles were instigated by succeeding generations; all of which has left a trail of creative activity.
Join us on a journey which ranges from the Kailyard school of painting to Charles Rennie Mackintosh.

Painters in Normandy

In the nineteenth century local painters and visiting artists alike were entranced by the impressionist potential of the Normandy landscape and the vibrancy of everyday rural life. Monet, Van Gogh, Sickert and Coubet to name just a few who found inspiration among the local inns and fishing ports.

The art of the Netherlands

This subject incorporates a comprehensive survey of the art emanating from this corner of Northern Europe which has acquired a truly significant reputation. Painterly biographies of Dutch Masters are interwoven with landscape and scenes of everyday life, with a glance at what followed in recent times.

There is no supplementary charge for single accommodation on any of our activity breaks, and as normal, we can arrange free transport (on arrival and departure) between the hotel and the bus and railway stations.

Details about all of our activity breaks are readily available - either download a copy from this section, ask for them during you stay, or just telephone the hotel and ask us to forward a programme for whatever activity you are interested in.