Each year Highland community groups join together for our annual festival which aims to support the arts and challenge stigma and preconceived ideas about mental health. Organisations involved include Creativity In Care, Inverness Openarts, Mikeysline, Centred & the Discovery College, Arts in Nature, Green Tree Arts Studio, Tongue Walking Group, HUG (Action for Mental Health), Rag Tag n Textile (Skye), UHI Inverness, North Coast Helping Hands, Highland Mindfulness Group.

In October 2025, the Scottish Mental Health Arts Festival Highland became a registered charity (Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation number SC054677).

SMHAF Highland is grateful for funding from the Highland Communities Mental Health & Wellbeing Fund for Adults from Highland Third Sector Interface and the Scottish Government, as well as the Caithness & North Sutherland Fund. 

We are grateful for any donations - simply use this link to donate to us via PayPal paypal.me/smhafhighland and thank you for your support!

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Please contact individual event organisers with any queries.
You can contact the SMHAF Highland team on smhafhighland@gmail.com

2026 PROGRAMME OF EVENTS

Annual art ehibition by Rag Tag n Textile
4th - 7th August at Blank Canvas (next to Love from Skye) in Broadford.
Some of the artworks will be included in the autumn/winter exhibitions Inverness and Thurso.

Film Screenings in Wick
5th September at The Pulteney Centre, Huddart Street, Wick KW1 5BA.
Short film programme from 2pm followed by Q&A with panel guests.
Screening of "Riptide" at 6.30pm. See more details on our Films page.
Entry to the films is free thanks to funding by the Caithness & North Sutherland Fund.

Free mixed media collage workshop - Creative Reflections
Thursday 17th September from 11am - 1pm
Skerray Village Hall, Sutherland
Join Charlotte from Arts in Nature for a gentle, immersive session as we explore this year's festival theme 'Reflections.'
A calm creative space for expression, contemplation, connection.... and fun!
All materials will be provided, but if you have a special item that fits the theme, please feel free to bring it along.
No previous art experience is required.
If weather permits, we will also take a walk in nature to gather inspiration from the surrounding landscape.
To book your free place, please contact Charlotte by email: artsinnature@outlook.com
The workshop is free thanks to funding by the Caithness & North Sutherland Fund.

Torridon Wellbeing Walk
Tuesday 22nd September at 11am
Join the Torridon Walking group with the National Trust for Scotland ranger for a morning of conversation, reflection, and creativity as they 'Walk A Mile In Our Shoes' as part of SMHAF Highland's programme. Meet at Inveralligin Pier, Torridon at 11am. Whether you come with friends, family, or on your own, you'll find a warm welcome and the chance to connect with others. The group meets every Tuesday at 11am.
Contact Rory Shannon at rshannon@nts.org.uk or 07596564142.

Drop-in Creative Sessions with Inverness Openarts
Thursday 24th September and Tuesday 29th September from 12 - 2.30pm at Inverness Creative Academy 
After various sessions in the summer, Inverness Openarts are holding 2 more dedicated SMHAF themed sessions in September at which they will be supporting people to create for the festival's exhibitions. Drop in any time between 12 noon and 2.30pm. Age 16+
Contact InvernessOpenarts@waspsstudios.org.uk or 01463 572753.

Short Film Screenings in Inverness
Sunday 4th October from 3pm - 5pm at Eden Court Theatre & Cinema
Join us for the annual SMHAF Highland short film screening followed by Q&A session with panel guests.
Films will include:
⭐️ Film about the recent projects in Highland by Arts in Nature working with Mikeysline
⭐️ Fragments of Us – a short film by Conner Brown on men's mental health supporting Mikeysline
⭐️ Reflections From Lived Experience - from Caithness Experience Matters Advisory Panel (CExMAP) - HUG (Action for Mental Health)
⭐️ Swell - by Highland-based artist Robyn Woolston about her brain tumour diagnosis (film commissioned by the Scottish Mental Health Arts Festival in 2025)
⭐️ THREADS from the DEEP by Robert Aitken about Highland-based tapestry maker Joan Baxter
The Q&A panel includes Allana Stables (Mikeysline), Conner Brown (Fragments Are Us), Charlotte Mackenzie (Arts in Nature), John Beaton (HUG / Spirit Advocacy) and Robert Aitken (THREADS from the DEEP).
Free tickets will be available from the groups involved and £3 from Eden Court's box office.
Contact smhafhighland@gmail.com

Art Exhibitions in Inverness
5th - 28th October at Eden Court Theatre & Cinema, Inverness (Open Mon-Tue from 4pm, Wed-Sun from 11am)
The Bike Shed in Merkinch will host a smaller exhibition from mid to end October (Open Thursday 10am - 12 noon, Friday 10am - 12 noon and 5.30pm - 9pm, Saturday 10am - 12 noon).
This year’s theme - 'Reflections' set by the Mental Health Foundation for the 20th anniversary of the festival will inspire many creative artworks from established local artists and from people creating art for the first time individually or through mental health groups around the Highlands. Many of the unique artworks are for sale. The exhibitions celebrate the value of arts in mental health recovery and wellbeing. We'll be exhibiting over two floors at Eden Court this year - The Stalls and the 1st Circle Gallery.
You can join us for the launch event on Friday 9th October - see details below.
Contact smhafhighland@gmail.com

'Things worth passing on' with InvernessOpenarts
Thursday 8th October from 12pm - 2.30pm at Inverness Creative Academy 
Using media of your choice, create postcard-sized artworks inspired by a thought, lesson, reminder or piece of wisdom you would like to pass on to someone else. Add an image to the front and a few words on the back — something encouraging, thoughtful, funny, hopeful, or simply meaningful to you.
At the end of the session, participants will exchange postcards, so everyone who takes part can leave with a small piece of artwork and reflection made by someone else. The exchange will be informal and there is no pressure to share anything deeply personal.
Inverness Openarts sessions are relaxed, welcoming and designed to make creativity feel accessible to everyone. You do not need any previous art experience, and there is no expectation to produce a particular kind of finished piece. Artists will be on hand to offer ideas, demonstrate techniques and provide support, while participants are encouraged to work at their own pace and interpret the theme in whatever way feels right for them.
All materials are provided, and the session is free to attend (donations appreciated). You are welcome to come on your own, with a friend, or with a support worker or carer.  Age 16+
Sessions are delivered weekly from Inverness Creative Academy and are drop-in; no booking required. Arrive and leave whenever suits you.
Contact InvernessOpenarts@waspsstudios.org.uk or 01463 572753

The Gathering - Exhibition launch
Friday 9th October (drop in any time between 1pm and 3pm)
Stalls gallery, Eden Court Theatre & Cinema
SMHAF Highland warmly invites artists, families, friends, organisations, partners and members of our wider community to join us for a special gathering at our art exhibition "Reflections" with chat and refreshments.
Come along to celebrate creativty, community and connection. Meet the artists, enjoy the exhibition, and share in the conversation and ideas inspired by this year's theme 'Reflections'.
Contact smhafhighland@gmail.com

Highland Mindfulness Group free session with Diana Woodman
Wednesday 14th October 2026 from 10.30am – 12 noon 
Ross Sutherland Rugby Club, Castle Avenue, Invergordon IV18 0AZ 
"What's going on?" Taking time for ourselves, exploring how we really are and allowing ourselves to pause, reflect and soothe. Using the breath and simple meditations, we will explore ways to calm, to slow down and to rekindle appreciation of who we are and how we live our lives. Free session thanks to funding from HOPE Invergordon. Beginners welcome. Over 18s only.
Please book your place via highlandmindfulness@gmail.com

Tongue Walking Group
Wednesdays 21st and 28th October 
Taking part during their regular weekly walks. Contact Ruth on 01847 611327. Facebook page.

Gelli Plate Printing Workshops
Wednesdays 21st & 28th October, 4th & 11th November from 2pm - 4 pm
Venue: the Community Room in Thurso Library (Davidson's Lane, Thurso KW14 7AF)
Join Creativity In Care for a series of 4 free Gelli Plate Printing Workshops on the theme for this year's Scottish Mental Health Arts Festival Highland - 'Reflections'. All materials are provided and you don't need any experience.
To book your free place, please email - donnamurray@creativityincare.org.
These sessions are free thanks to funding by the Caithness & North Sutherland Fund.

Finding Your Fool: A Journey in Play
Saturday 24th October from 2pm – 5pm
The Bike Shed, 23 Grant Street, Inverness, IV3 8BN
Dramatherapy workshop.
Embrace the inner fool! Join dramatherapist Kate Stevens to explore how sparking creativity can be a powerful tool for transformation.
The fool doesn't fear getting things wrong; they're curious, maybe even enjoy it. Join dramatherapist Kate Stevens for "The Inner Fool," an exploratory workshop where we bring the inner fool into consciousness. By embracing play through the art of clowning and reflection, you will discover how creativity can serve as a powerful tool for safely containing anxieties, challenging personal narratives, and courageously transforming them.
This workshop is an invitation to look at your frame of reference through a different lense, using the distance of playing the character of the Fool to explore and remain curious. It is an experimental playground for anyone curious about using the arts to expand self-expression and gain a deeper understanding of their mental health. 
Whether you're a performer, writer, artist, or just curious, no professional experience is required—this is about process and play, not perfection.
Pay what you decide (£25 / £30 / £35)
Age 16+
Contact: dramatherapywithkate@gmail.com
Book tickets: Eventbrite

Highland Mindfulness Group taster session with Val Gale
Tuesday 27th October 2026 from 6.45pm – 8pm 
Ross Sutherland Rugby Club, Castle Avenue, Invergordon IV18 0AZ 
Busy rushing around? Why not stop and find out if mindfulness might help you step out and find a space to rest and restore? Learn more about mindfulness in this taster session! Free session thanks to funding from HOPE Invergordon. Beginners welcome. Over 18s only.
Please book your place via highlandmindfulness@gmail.com

Through the Looking Glass: Poetry as a Mirror
Tuesday 27 October 2026 at 7pm on Zoom
The act of reading and writing poetry is a mirror for ourselves and for society. Dive into self reflection through this enjoyable, 1-hour workshop with writer, editor, and creative mentor, Molly Murray who is based on the Isle of Lewis.
Register for your free place via https://flowmagic.myflodesk.com/we4hsanhu5
Contact hellomolly@flowmagic.org

Annual Art Exhibition
Dates to be confirmed from November - December (Open Mon & Wed 10am-6pm, Tue & Fri 10am-8pm, Thu & Sat 10am-1pm)
Thurso Art Gallery, Thurso Library, Davidson’s Lane, Thurso KW14 7AF
Following the exhibitions in Inverness, this year's artworks will be on display in Caithness over the winter.
Contact smhafhighland@gmail.com