Aviemore mountain base to feature its first art exhibition
It's not always a pretty picture with the Cairngorm Mountain Rescue Team as they go into the hills. But they're making an exception next week as they go "Into the Cairngorms".
For the first time the team will be featuring an art exhibition at their base in St Columba's, Inverdruie just outside Aviemore on the Ski Road.
Exquisite studies by Angus Grant and Elizabeth Pirie will be on display from Saturday (August 10) until Sunday 18, with the doors open from 10am to 4pm.
“Into the Cairngorms” will feature well-loved landscapes from the national park, taking visitors from the beautiful lochs to the spectacular peaks.
Angus is an art teacher at Grantown Grammar School. His father, Grantown-based GP Dr Peter Grant, was one of the team’s doctors from 1981-2016.
Elizabeth’s father, Eric, joined the rescue team when he was 18 before embarking on a career teaching others to explore and adventure in the mountains. Now 55, he remains a member. He instilled a passion and love of adventure, mountains and the outdoors in Elizabeth, her work reflects these values that they share.
Al Gilmour, chairman of Cairngorm Mountain Rescue Team, said: “We are delighted to host this exhibition.
“As a rescue team we depend on support from our local community and beyond and this is a great opportunity to give something back to two local artists. It is especially fitting as both the artists have a close and long-standing family link to the team.
“We are looking forward to seeing some amazing original artwork on display.
“This is the first time we have ever held an occasion like this like in the 50-plus years of the team, so it is especially exciting doing something that reflects the environment we operate in from an entirely different angle.”
Angus’s work focusses on the lochs of the national park. His inspiration comes from exploring the waters during a day’s fishing. His new work includes spectacular scenes of his favourite, Loch Morlich.
He said: “I’m delighted to support the Cairngorm Mountain Rescue Team. This is charity that means a great deal to my dad and he loved his time working with the team. This is the best way that I can help them out.”
Elizabeth, an art teacher based in Edinburgh, seeks to show the mountains from the perspective of a skier or mountaineer, examining the tension between the beauty and danger of these wild places. She only creates a piece after exploring the land personally, whether on foot, bike or skis.
“Growing up many of the rescue team were like family, my parents even met in the rescue team," she said.
"The rescue base was always a safe and welcoming space to wait for Dad to come back from rescues. I’m in awe of not only what they do, but the care, commitment and love that they share for mountain rescue. It is a joy to contribute to the work that the team do so well.”
Entry is free.
