An exhibition by Stirling Castles artist in residence Iona Leishman is being extended due to popular demand. The works have been inspired by the beauty of the castle, the historic events which shaped its past and the remarkable people who have lived within its walls.

Entitled A Sense of Place, the exhibition was due to finish this month but can now be enjoyed throughout the Christmas and the New Year period right up until 22 January. Iona is adding extra pieces to reflect the current wintry weather such as the atmospheric 4ftx2ft oil painting called Snow Approaching Ben Lomond.

Iona said: "Thousands of visitors have already seen the exhibition and the feedback has been fantastic, in fact I've been dazzled by the variety of reactions to different pieces. So it's great news that even more people will be able to see what I have been doing during my residency.

"The castle is the most astonishing place and I have been privileged to see it at all times of day and night, and through the changing seasons. I've also learned so much about the people who lived here over the centuries, about their joys and sorrows. It's all this that I have tried to capture in my work, showing the castle as a living building, repopulating it as a place filled with hopes and dreams.

"It's also wonderful to be able to include some landscapes in the exhibitions. Pieces like Snow Approaching Ben Lomond and Beech Trees on the River Teith show scenes that the Scottish royal family and nobles would have known and loved in centuries gone by, when they left the Stirling on hunting expeditions or to visit other towns and castles."

Ms Leishman, who lives in Dunblane and was born in Perth, is best known for her landscapes, many of which show the beauty of Perthshire and the surrounding area. The Stirling residency has taken her in new directions and the exhibition covers a host of different and unusual themes.

Some pictures focus on the castle itself, depicting everything from the magnificence of its recently-refurbished renaissance royal palace to charming details, like the hunting dogs and hares carved in the stonework. Others are thought-provoking reflections on dramatic moments in the lives of past residents, such as the enigmatic and beautiful French princess Mary of Guise - wife of James V, mother of Mary Queen of Scots.

During the residency Ms Leishman has created 80 works of art, ranging from 4ftx4ft oil on board paintings to smalls watercolours and charcoal sketches. Many of these pieces, plus some of her earlier landscapes are on display in the exhibition area in the castle's Nether Bailey. Other original works (some for as little as £40 to £90), plus beautiful giclee prints and greetings cards are on sale in the Palace Shop. A full colour exhibition catalogue is also available for £6.95.

Historic Scotland in partnership with Education Scotland and Stirling based arts development business Culture Matters has asked Ms Leishman to extend her residency, which started in July, by an extra three months to March 2012.

There will also be a rare opportunity to spend a weekend drawing and painting with Ms Leishman at Stirling Castle in February.

Ends

Notes for editors

• Free-to-use photographs of Iona Leishman and some of the pieces from the exhibition are available on request.

• Iona wishes to thank Historic Scotland for its warm hosting of the exhibition, which has also been enhanced by Sterling Furniture Group, and Arts and Business sponsorship.

• The Sense of Placecatalogue, which has an introduction by Dr Euan McArthur and contains information about Culture Matters and this partnership project, is also available from iona@ionaleishman.co.uk, from the Watermill, Aberfeldy and Waterstones in Stirling.

• Entry to the exhibition is free with a ticket to the Castle or Historic Scotland membership. Guided tours are available by arrangement.

• Ms Leishman's weekend painting and drawing course, called Up At The Castle, is on 4&5 February and costs £105 for Historic Scotland members and £120 for non-members. Places are limited and must be booked in advance. Participants will be able to use a mix of media, including oil paint, charcoal and pastel, to explore the character of Stirling Castle. For further details and booking email? iona@ionaleishman.co.ukor phone 01786 824417/ 07773 347 780.

• For details of the castles opening times and prices visit the website at www.stirlingcastle.gov.uk/

Further information

For further information or to request pictures contact:

Matthew Shelley

01877 384337

07786 704299

Matthewjhshelley@fsmail.net

Historic Scotland has purchased my painting 'King at His Fireside' for Stirling Castle (see Home Page carousel) to hang in the Prince's Tower. The painting depicts King James VI at midnight sitting close beside a bright fire in the Queen's Inner Chamber. As he looks into the bright flames he is talking, perhaps to himself perhaps to the shadowy figure of a woman who appears behind him. The flames and the guttering candles pick out rich colour from the walls and tapestry.

'Up At The Castle'

10am- 4.30pm, 4 - 5 February 2012

A weekend of drawing and painting at Stirling Castle with Historic Scotland's Artist in Residence, Iona Leishman.

Using a mix of media, including oil paint, charcoal and pastel, we will explore the character of Stirling Castle from within its walls. This will range from looking at the castle as a whole and then finding intimate, unusual angles on the Medieval stone carvings. This weekend of painting and drawing exploration will help open up new avenues of artistic possibility.

£105 for Historic Scotland members, £120 for non-members.

Limited places are available on each weekend so attentive tuition is guaranteed.

A wide range of materials will be provided, but if you have favourite brushes or medium, then please bring!

A cheque for £50 made out to Iona Leishman will secure your place on the course.

For further details and booking, please email iona@ionaleishman.co.uk or phone 07773 347 780