Spaces

The centre of our main campus is a historic courtyard on the Marchmont Estate, around which most of our Creative Spaces are situated. This is also the location of our beautifully furnished, art-filled Common Room, open to all members of the Hugo Burge Foundation community for coffee and conversation. These spaces are regularly used for private and public events.

Next to the courtyard lies Hugo Burge’s pride and joy. He began a transformation of the once-neglected walled garden and its historic glasshouses into a paradise of flower-rich borders, fruit and vegetable patches, colonnades and sculptures. The gardens and the glasshouses are designed to delight and inspire all who visit, hosting events and workshops throughout the year.

On the southern side of the courtyard is a striking building, designed by Robert Lorimer in 1917, which originally served as Marchmont House's garage. It currently houses the Marchmont Workshop, led by craftsmen Richard Platt and Sam Cooper. They make traditional furniture inspired by Arts & Crafts luminaries such as Ernest Gimson and Phillip Clissett. Everything here is made by hand, using techniques, tools and patterns passed through six generations of chair-makers since 1890.

In 2023 we opened a state-of-the-art silversmithing workshop on our Marchmont campus supported by a generous donation of tools, machinery and books by the late Master silversmith Graham Stewart. The workshop supports three early career silversmiths to launch their businesses over a two-year tenancy, with guidance from an experienced mentor. The workshop also provides shorter residencies for British and international silversmiths to develop new work and participate in cultural exchange.

Our newest facility is currently under construction. We look forward to welcoming you to the print studio soon!

Based in a former garage in the small town of Greenlaw, a few miles from Marchmont, Redbraes is a production pottery studio and creative clay space. It is run by Nicholas Stenhouse, from Manchester, and Heather Wilson, from Stow. Both are 2020 ceramics graduates from Cardiff School of Art and Design. Nick and Heather make a wide range of ceramic items and offer ceramic workshops and courses throughout the year.

Derelict buildings around Marchmont's former stable block have been completely renovated to become our studio spaces. Six studios are set around the courtyard: Upper Powerhouse, Lower Powerhouse (currently our office), North and South Studios, the Tower and the Old Squash Court. We hold two ‘Open Studio’ events every year, when the public can enjoy the outstanding work created in these spaces by our resident and visiting artists.

Formerly the print studio of the celebrated artist, musician and broadcaster Rory McEwen, who was born and brought up on the Marchmont Estate, and worked here from 1970 to 1975. This charming, self-contained cottage consists of a large open-plan studio with kitchen and dining area, a sitting room, double bedroom and small bathroom. Set in the quaint hamlet of Fogo, just three miles from our main campus, this space is a perfect retreat for artists, writers and musicians seeking creative inspiration.

All residency-holders are accommodated in one of our two modern hobbit pods, situated in a meadow near the courtyard on the Marchmont Estate. These warm, bright spaces both have double beds (the larger pod also has an additional bedroom), bathrooms, open-plan kitchens, writing desks, sofas and south-facing decks with wonderful views of the Cheviot Hills.