Loch Shiel artwork inspired by the breathtaking Highland landscape of Loch Shiel, Scotland. This original felt landscape artwork by Yorkshire felt artist Janine Jacques captures the rugged beauty and vastness of the Scottish Highlands, with the peaceful waters of Loch Shiel stretching towards the mountains beyond. Created using layers of merino wool, silk fibres and mixed materials, this unique piece celebrates the beauty of Scottish landscape art.
MEDIUM: Original felt landscape artwork created using merino wool and mixed materials
STYLE: Scottish landscape art
LOCATION: Loch Shiel, Glenfinnan, Scotland
SUBJECT: The rugged Highland landscape and tranquil waters of Loch Shiel
This artwork is inspired by a road trip I took around Scotland to explore its breathtaking landscapes (and, of course, its whisky!).
At 33 years old, I set off on my first solo adventure, spending two nights on the shores of Loch Shiel at the beautiful Glenfinnan House Hotel.
Back then, long before smartphones guided every journey, my trusty Lonely Planet guidebook was my travel companion.
I actually found Glenfinnan House Hotel completely by accident after taking a wrong turn. Although I hadn’t planned to stay there, they kindly offered me a twin room at the single rate. The hotel was far nicer than the one I’d originally been heading for, proving that sometimes the best adventures begin with an accidental find.
During my stay I explored the shores of Loch Shiel, listening to the gentle sound of the water lapping against the shore and admiring the vast Highland landscape.
I walked to the famous Glenfinnan Viaduct and spent time exploring the surrounding hills, soaking up the peace and beauty of this remarkable place.
Travelling alone felt both daunting and incredibly liberating. It gave me the confidence to embrace the journey at my own pace and simply enjoy being immersed in the landscape.
After leaving Loch Shiel, I continued via a scenic route to Edinburgh, stopping at Dalwhinnie Distillery before meeting up with friends – so I wasn’t travelling solo for long!
My first road trip on my own,
To places I’d yet to roam.
A wrong turn found me on the shore,
Of Loch Shiel – I now adore.
Glenfinnan House Hotel
Was not the place I’d planned to dwell,
My Lonely Planet guide in hand,
So lucky to have found this land.
The sound of water lapping the shore,
The viaduct carrying a train once more.
The beauty of the Highland hills,
The land where whisky is distilled.
A liberating place to be,
Just me in the landscape, alone and free.
The wonders of Scotland to see,
Loch Shiel now famous for wizardry.
Loch Shiel is a beautiful freshwater loch surrounded by the rugged mountains and dramatic landscapes of the Scottish Highlands. Situated near Glenfinnan in the Highlands of Scotland, it is a peaceful and atmospheric place with wonderful views across the water and surrounding hills.
The area around Loch Shiel is perhaps best known for the nearby Glenfinnan Viaduct, made famous around the world by its appearance in the famous wizarding films. The Jacobite Steam Train also travels across the viaduct, creating the iconic Highland railway scene.
Glenfinnan is also home to the Glenfinnan Monument, standing at the head of Loch Shiel, and the surrounding landscape offers great opportunities for walking, exploring and taking in the beauty of the Scottish Highlands.
For me, however, Loch Shiel is also connected to a much more personal memory – my first solo road trip and the unexpected freedom of discovering somewhere completely new on my own.
TITLE: ‘Loch Shiel’
MEDIUM: Original felt landscape artwork
MATERIALS: Merino wool, silk fibres and mixed materials
PRESENTATION: Professionally framed in a white wooden frame with UV / museum-quality glass.
ARTWORK SIZE: Approximately 31cm (W) × 30cm (H)
FRAMED SIZE: Approximately 47.5cm (W) × 46.5cm (H)
This original felt artwork was created using merino wool and other materials added to the surface before wet felting.
I added a large piece of cream material to create the beach at the front of the landscape, along with silk fibres to add texture. Once dry, the artwork was needle felted and sewn into using a sewing machine, before being finished with hand-sewn embroidery.
This piece is professionally framed as shown in the close-up image.
Each felt artwork is individually handmade, making every piece completely unique.
Colours and tones may vary slightly from those shown on screen.
Drawing on my degree in Fine Art, I use merino wool in lots of different colours (as you would tubes of paint) and lay out the loose fibres of different coloured wool onto my base (as you would paint on canvas).
Once finished, the next stage is to make these loose fibres of wool stick together using the ‘wet felting’ technique to make the wool painting into a piece of felt. You do this by adding hot soapy water and friction. The hot water opens up the wool’s scales and the friction (rubbing and rolling) binds them together. During this process the wool shrinks by about 15–20% and you end up with one piece of felt material.
Once the felted picture is dry, I needle felt into the piece to sharpen some of the details.
For this particular artwork, I also added silk fibres, machine sewing and hand embroidery to create additional texture and detail.
The final felt artwork is attached to acid-free mountboard and professionally framed as shown.
Click here to read more about the process.
This original Loch Shiel artwork would make a thoughtful gift for anyone who loves Scotland, the Scottish Highlands, road trips, walking and exploring the beautiful British countryside.
It would also make a wonderful gift for a fan of the famous wizard films, a lover of the Highlands or anyone with special memories of travelling through Scotland.
Perfect for birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, housewarmings or as a lasting reminder of a memorable Scottish adventure.
UK: Your original artwork will be carefully packaged with card and bubble wrap, to ensure it arrives safely and will be sent via Parcelforce / Royal Mail Tracked 24, fully tracked, insured and signed for.
International: the artwork can be purchased unframed and shipped via Royal Mail / Parcel Force tracked and signed for international delivery. Please contact me to arrange this.
If you have any problems at check out on your mobile phone – please try your computer instead. If you can’t order via your computer please cotact me and let me know. I will then help you with your purchase. Thank you Janine.
