Scottish artist Ian MacGillivray paints the landscapes, wildlife and people of the natural world with a particular focus on the Highlands and the traditions that connect communities to the land.

Through his oil paintings and portrait work, Ian seeks to capture not only a place, but the stories and character of those who belong to it.

Ian MacGillivray is a Scottish artist whose work explores the enduring connection between people, animals and the landscapes they inhabit.

Born in Inverness, Ian studied Fine Art in the 1980s before returning to Scotland, where the Highlands became a lasting source of inspiration. His paintings are shaped by a close observation of the natural world and by a fascination with the traditions, skills and stories that exist within rural landscapes. 

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Working primarily in oils, Ian is known for atmospheric paintings of the Highland wildlife, as well as portraits that seek to capture the character and experiences of his subjects. His approach is rooted in time spent outdoors, observing the changing moods of the landscape and the relationship between people and place. 

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Recent projects include Deer People – Twenty Four Working Lives Dedicated to Deer in the Scottish Highlands and the forthcoming volume Deer People: Valuing Tradition, Embracing Change, created in collaboration with writer Richard Cooke. Through portraiture, personal history and opinion these books celebrate the people whose lives and knowledge are closely connected to Scotland’s deer landscapes.

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Ian exhibits regularly and is represented by galleries in the UK. He continues to paint from his studio in Cheshire while maintaining a close connection with the Highlands and the landscapes that have inspired his work throughout his career. 

Please contact for further information, sales or to be added to Ian’s mailing list at  ianmacgillivray@mac.com