20 May, 2026
Free workshops invite Shetlanders to connect with nature through art this summer
Nature conservation programme, Species on the Edge, is running a series of free workshops in Shetland this summer, helping attendees connect with their local cultural and natural heritage through art.
The ‘Art in Nature’ series will kick off with a set of three workshops led by artist Aimee Labourne. In these workshops, titled ‘From the perspective of bees’, Aimee will help participants explore the landscape of Bressay through immersive drawing techniques.
Kicking off with a ‘heritage and sketching walk’ on 14th June at Wadbister, Bressay, Aimee’s set of workshops will encourage participants to experience their surroundings through the eyes of our local drummie bees, imaging how they might see and navigate the environment. In the two following workshops – 28th June and 5th July – participants will use drawing techniques to explore shape, colour, different levels of scale, and composite views. To register for Aimee’s workshops, visit: www.speciesontheedge.co.uk/events/art-in-nature-shetland.
Following Aimee Labourne’s workshops will be a set of workshops led by Cheryl Jamieson exploring the fascinating landscape of the Keen of Hamar through the art of glass-making. Dates will be announced on the Species on the Edge Facebook page (@SpeciesontheEdge) and with the mailing list: www.speciesontheedge.co.uk/mailing-list.
Gareth Powell, People Engagement Officer for Species on the Edge, said: “Combining culture and nature is such an important way of engaging with our landscape, observing how they weave themselves together. What better way to do that than with the guiding hand of an artist? Following on from the success of our 2025 ‘Art in Nature’ series, we are excited to be bringing more of these workshops to people this year, working with new artists and enjoying some new locations!”
Contact information
- Name
- Eilidh Ross
- eilidh.ross@nature.scot
Notes to editors
Species on the Edge is a multi-partner species conservation programme dedicated to working with communities across Scotland’s coasts and islands to help them secure a future for their local nationally and internationally vulnerable species. Funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, the partnership consists of Amphibian and Reptile Conservation, Bat Conservation Trust, Buglife, Bumblebee Conservation Trust, Butterfly Conservation, NatureScot, Plantlife, and RSPB Scotland. The programme is active across seven landscape-scale areas in Scotland: Argyll and the Inner Hebrides; Outer Hebrides; North Coast; Orkney; Shetland; East Coast; Solway Coast. www.speciesontheedge.co.uk
NatureScot is Scotland's nature agency. Responding to the twin crises of biodiversity loss and climate change, we work to protect and restore nature by inspiring everyone to value our natural world. Our goal is a nature-rich, net-zero future for Scotland. For more information, visit our website at www.nature.scot
'S e buidheann nàdair na h-Alba a th’ ann an NàdarAlba. Bidh sinn a’ gleidheadh agus a’ slànachadh nàdar le bhith a’ brosnachadh a h-uile duine gu spèis a chur air an t-saoghal nàdarra againn, agus sinn a’ freagairt air an dà chùis-èiginn de chall bith-iomadachd ’s atharrachadh na gnàth-shìde. ’S e ar n-amas nàdar beairteach ’s cothromachadh carboin do dh’Alba. Airson an tuilleadh fiosrachaidh, thoiribh sùil air an làraich-lìn againn aig www.nature.scot



