A new chapter in Samling Institute’s story opens this year when we begin an exciting partnership with Marchmont House in the Scottish Borders.
Marchmont has a rich history of supporting artistic excellence, which Director Hugo Burge is energetically reviving following an award-winning restoration of the house. The estate hosts a creative community for artists and craftspeople and has an impressive collection of contemporary sculpture, including pieces by Antony Gormley, David Nash and Eduardo Paolozzi.
Marchmont’s association with the arts dates back to the early 20th century and its owner Robert Finnie McEwen, who commissioned leading Arts and Crafts architect Robert Lorimer to extend the original Palladian house. McEwen and his children were fine musicians, and he included a music room, complete with organ. Stanford and Vaughan Williams were regular guests at Marchmont, and McEwen gave Stanford generous financial support that helped him continue to compose.
Hugo Burge and his team are looking forward to welcoming our Artist Programme and Academy Opera in 2021: ‘Samling Institute and Marchmont share the same aspiration to create spaces where people can be inspired by each other and by their surroundings and we’re excited that once again, the house will be playing a role in nurturing musical talent.’
Karon Wright, Artistic and Executive Director of Samling Institute added ‘As soon as I visited Marchmont and met Hugo, I knew that this was a natural fit for us. I’m thrilled to be bringing our artists and Academy Opera to a place with such a deep tradition of care for the arts. I know that we’ll be warmly welcomed at Marchmont and we’re excited about what the future holds for our partnership.’
