A New Chapter Begins: The McCallum Art House Reopens and Hosts the 2025 Highland Art Prize
Hello everyone,
It feels truly wonderful to be writing this post. After our recent break, the doors of The McCallum Art House, in Fort William, are swinging open wide, and we couldn’t be more excited to welcome you back! My husband, James, and I have poured our hearts into this historic building, Parade House, and it’s a joy to see it once again ready to be a vibrant space for art and community in the heart of Fort William.
For those of you who know us, you’ll remember our passion for showcasing beautiful, contemporary art in the Highlands. As an architect, I’ve always been fascinated by how spaces shape our experiences, and bringing Parade House to life has been a rewarding journey. James continues his incredible work as an artist, and our gallery is a natural extension of our shared love for creativity.
The 2025 Highland Art Prize Exhibition
We’ve already made a start and welcomed visitors to the gallery with our recent exhibition ‘Lochaber Artists’. That exhibition resulted in five artworks being selected to go forward to this year’s Highland Art Prize Exhibition, hosted here at the McCallum Art House in Fort William.
With submissions from a total of 15 arts organisations from across the Highland and Islands, the Gallery will be filled with an amazing collection of works – not to be missed!
The prestigious Highland Society of London presents the competition in conjunction with An Comunn Gàidhealach, celebrating the incredible artistic talent that thrives in and is inspired by the Highlands.
Key Dates for the Fort William Art Exhibition
From Friday, October 10th to Saturday, October 18th, 2025 (11 am-5 pm), coinciding with the Royal National Mòd, our gallery will be filled with the exceptional work of this year’s finalists. We would be delighted if you could join us for these key moments:
- Opening Night & Shortlist Unveiling: Join us on Saturday, October 11th, from 5:30 pm to 7 pm. We’ll be unveiling the finalists’ work selected by this year’s distinguished judges, Beth Robertson Fiddes and Donnie Munro. Come along, enjoy some refreshments, and be among the very first to see these inspiring pieces.
- Prize-giving Ceremony: The anticipation builds for Friday, October 17th, from 12:30 pm to 1 pm, when the winner will be announced! Thanks to the generosity of the Highland Society of London, Wasps Studios, Cass Art, and the Highland Soap Company, prizes will be given! Everyone is welcome to join in the celebration.
Your Destination for Art in Fort William
The McCallum Art House has always aimed to be a welcoming and accessible space in the heart of Fort William. We want to be a cultural hub for locals and a fascinating stop for visitors exploring our beautiful Highlands. Art has the power to connect, to inspire, and to spark conversation, and we can’t wait to share this new chapter with you.
We are so looking forward to seeing familiar faces and meeting new ones. Come and immerse yourself in the beauty of the Highland Art Prize and rediscover The McCallum Art House.
Warmly,
Nicola McCallum