Lyth Arts Centre provides a focus for arts and culture in Caithness in the far north of Scotland.

A year-round programme of Live Performances presents the best work of small-scale touring companies - often innovative and experimental.  This includes drama, dance, jazz, folk, world, and new music. Most of the programme is devoted to presenting the work of professional British and international artists and performers and the centre also acts as a stepping-off point for local artistic activity. The main aim is to promote work of the highest standard.

Set deep in the countryside, Lyth Arts Centre is housed in a beautiful old school building surrounded by trees and ancient stone walls.  From the outside it still retains the character of a small  Victorian village school, the former Barrock Public School,  while the interior has been  adapted and  extended to become a multipurpose theatre venue and exhibition space.

Lyth Arts Centre was established in 1977 by William Wilson. An accomplished artist himself, William was involved with the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and saw the need to develop and support both local arts and artists within his native Caithness and the north of Scotland, but also to develop contemporary arts with touring theatre performances and exhibitions.

This compact and intimate venue regularly overspilled into William's home in the adjacent schoolhouse. A decision to expand Lyth Arts Centre was made, with work starting in 2002, and with this work now finished, Lyth Arts Centre has entered a new era.

The enhanced Arts Centre features an accommodation annexe for artists and performers which, together with the new exhibition and cafe area, and disabled access, provide much improved facilities for everyone who visits Lyth. 

If you are interested in performing, exhibiting or using the arts and accommodation facilities at Lyth, please contact us.