New owners take over at Dunkeld institution

Business has been an Atholl Street mainstay for decades

The new owners of one of Dunkeld’s longest standing business ‘institutions’ hope to place art at the heart of the community and beyond after taking over from a friend.

Don and Marisa Coltart took the reins from Marc Di Rollo at The Atholl Gallery on the town’s bustling Atholl Street on October 1st.

A mainstay of the main shopping street, the independent gallery and gift shop, built in the 1800s, has been selling art for almost five decades and new co-owner Don and predecessor Marc have been pals since their teens.

Building networks

The new owners plan to give the gallery a refreshed vibe and have plans for exhibitions, markets and workshops which will ‘take art beyond the shop’ and into the wider community.

They also hope to access funding to take the best of Scottish art over borders to new audiences in places like luxury London hotels.

They have already been successful in securing funding to take on a lone parent content creator, helping to embed employment opportunities within their own plans.

“We are in our late 50s now but this is an opportunity to use our skills and put our energy into something and really grow it,” said Marisa, who has spent her senior career in social work and will assist Don at the Gallery on a part-time basis.

“This journey is about making a difference and showing it’s never too late to follow a dream.

“We love Dunkeld and rural life and we want to bring something to the community. The other businesses have been so welcoming already and we have met visitors from Canada, America, Finland and Germany after only two weeks.

“There is a real buzz to Dunkeld, it’s a real oasis for independent businesses and there are so many talented local people. We’ve met some fantastic makers and artists already.”

Making a difference

With over three decades as a buyer in furniture manufacturing markets, Don’s core skills will be put to good use in the gallery and gift shop which, they hope, will become a hub for the local community as well as tourists.

Marisa’s work has focused on connecting communities; skills she hopes to draw upon to create a local network around art.

“We want to be part of the bigger community picture with markets, groups and workshops. We are also looking to take Scottish art further afield.”