November 2024

I used my time at Clashnettie to kickstart the recording of an album. The setting is so peaceful with an inspiring landscape and the accommodation has ample space to set up equipment and record (and make noise!). Helen is a fantastic, experienced artist and it was a privilege to gain an insight into her creative process. 

March 2024

I arrived at Clashnettie rattled. A last-minute decision to move out of a cockroach infested flat in Glasgow two weeks before the residency started meant that my life was all over the place. It was in boxes under friend’s stairs, behind their exercise bikes, stacked high, squashed behind, slipped under. With only a day or two to prepare, I packed filming equipment, a bike, walking boots and clothes for ‘spring’ (big mistake) and headed north.

Clashnettie is kind of magical. It’s a combination of things that make it so: the view of the valley, the silence of the house, the 6ft iguana, the birds, the day of the toads (biblical), the massive sky, moving weather, ancient woodlands and of course, at the heart of it all is Helen and her lurcher Corrie.

Helen asked me when I arrived what I planned to work on while I was up there and I think I said something about wanting to re-find my mojo. I had forgotten how to play, how to get lost, how to work without knowing what the work will be. Clashnettie is a place for making, you feel that as soon as you arrive and so without knowing how to begin, I began. I filmed, wrote, read, looked, walked and edited. I benefited immensely from both witnessing Helen’s approach to making and from the conversations that we had about creativity, life and being a maker.

The rattled arrival faded fast and I left with many things including a hard drive full of footage, a much needed charity shop wool jumper, my mojo and new friends. Thanks Helen!

www.lux.org.uk/artist/sarah-forrest/

July 2023

"At Clashnettie, I found myself immersed in an idyllic setting to focus on my creative work. With space away from the everyday, one could tune into the solitude and be inspirited by the surrounding nature. The house itself is a delight; peaceful, spacious, warm. Complete with house martins: the sweetest accompaniment to anyone’s morning coffee. I would spend my days alternating between walking on up the track with my camera and working indoors. I mostly photograph outdoors; the ability to access nature with my equipment by foot was invaluable to me. Indoors, I could be found in reverie looking out the windows to watch birds, sheep, and Helen’s sculptures; all providing such joy and an ambience of inspiration. Months later, I continue to process and unpack the work that resulted from this residency. I am very thankful for this magical place!"

'In summer 2020, Rory and I stayed for a couple weeks in the Clashnettie Arts centre to continue working on our debut album as 'Zazim'. Zazim is a music project that's focussing on the intersection of Scottish Traditional music & electronic dance music. At the time, we both lived in Glasgow and didn't have access to a studio space. As the record was drawing on Scottish culture we wanted to make some of the music in the Highlands. Clashnettie was an amazing place to do this work. The space was inviting and calm, and Helen was a fantastic host. We set up a pop-up studio in the main room and finished (mostly) the record in front of the open fire.

I thoroughly enjoyed the time there and I look forward to returning for another creative retreat soon.

Thank you Helen!'

Spring 2021

“Clashnettie is all about space. Space to create, to breathe, to think, to observe the weather, the light, and the wild world of the glen. As a naturalist coming up from Wales, it was an expansive experience to step into the soundscape of bubbling curlew, black grouse, lapwing, snipe, common sandpiper on the burn, and the raucous geese - the sounds of spring in the uplands, preceding the joyous arrival of the swallows and house martins that nest in the eves of the buildings. A pair of kites would float at eye level over the soggy bottom of the Deskry flood plain, whilst exhilarating moments were snatched with goshawk, hen harrier and osprey. Helen and Corrie generously allowed me to share that space, so I could work, explore, and stretch my legs.”

2019

"Clashnettie Arts Centre is a vital, creative space - the perfect place to spend time developing and creating work. I spent a week here recording an album and it was the most relaxing recording experience I've ever had. A lovely cottage nestled in a beautiful landscape - cosy, peaceful, inspiring and with a very comfy bed!"