Comic Con Scotland – October 2026
The Royal Highland Centre puts on a show
Hosted by the fantastic Monopoly Events this Comic Con Scotland was a coming together of all things sci-fi, fantasy and comic book.
From fabulous crafts and merchandise, meet and greets with famous celebrities to photo opportunites, wrestling and Cosplay competitions this was a fabulous weekend of fun for the whole family.
The following is a recounting of events by Gudbrand, house Skald of Arrochar Crafts…
My patrons were required to make their journey on this occasion from the Argyll countryside to the metropolis of Edinburgh with the weather making good on its offer of the full seasonal range.
A vast gathering, with public access spread across a brace of days, Comic Con Scotland was hosted in three halls at the huge Royal Highland Centre at Ingliston, Edinburgh.
In the halls a panoply of vendors were purveying their wares. From artwork to jewllery , collectables and household decorations, the artifacts on display were truly varied. Legion were the genres covered: sci-fi, fantasy and comic themes and motifs (some niche and some mainstream).
Many of the attending public were resplendent in fantastical garb of their own manufacture. Some wore their costumes for their own entertainment and the admiration of others whilst some entered into daily competitions, the rules for which reached well beyond this skald’s comprehension.
Let us explore how the weekend unfolded…
The Arrochar Crafts Stall
Comic Con Scotland was a new adventure for my patrons requiring lengthy travel to a new venue with new rules and traditions. Electronic travel guidance was definitely required … the ley lines must have been strong as the magical runes of voyaging repeatedly failed requiring navigation by less arcane means.
Despite arriving early on the day prior to the convention to facilitate the setting up of their own stall, my patrons found that the hall was already abuzz with colour and activity as crafters and vendors from across the realm began the same endeavour in advance of, what would be, an intense weekend.
Using knowledge gained from previous events The Head Pyromancer and The Mist-Weaver, once more, attempted their dark arts with another new stall layout. The addition of extra framing, ornaments and decorations allied with additional ‘fettling’ time, did indeed improve the look and atmosphere of the stall – what I believe is nowadays called ‘vibe’.
All told my patrons took about 2 hours to set up their stall, paying close attention to details that would have been lost on anyone but themselves. They were hindered a little by a strong breeze in the hall trying hard to remove material and objects – a foreshadowing of events to come.
The Pyrography Corner
The Pyrography Corner received a new layout and adjusted, more legible, labelling had a very noticeable impact from afar. Clearly some of my patrons’ unending fiddling bore fruit.
The choice of artwork was informed by the nature of the event with the chosen pieces referencing science fiction, fantasy and popular culture. The newly completed Woodwose attracted a lot of attention.
The Mist-Weavers Art
In addition to her original, mixed media artwork (which continues to gain a following), the Mist-Weaver brought printed facsimiles of selected original pieces and a new method by which to display them. This proved to be a shrewd move and many were the printed images admired and purchased.
The original art works also proved to be very popular over the weekend with patrons returning on the second day of the event to purchase items seen on the day prior.
Affordable Smaller Items
As ever, smaller items were in demand. The Pocket hugs and Calmwood Pendants proved particularly popular – tactile items affording respite and grounding for those overwhelmed by the clamour and intensity of such a crowded gathering.
Similarly, the smaller pyrography in the form of coasters was also very much in demand over the full duration of the two day event.
Becka's Insects
The immediate neighbour on the other side of my patrons was Becka of Becka’s Insects.
Using driftwood, glass, wire and gemstones Becka creates wall art and jewellery with an insect theme – very distinctive.
Across the weekend her stall was abuzz (if you will excuse my pun) – proof that originality is, once more, a valued commodity.
Emma Smyth Art - Home of the Hagu
Much time was spent, by my patrons, conversing with the talented Emma from Emma Smyth Art – Home of the Hagu. Another original artist, Emma shares a common geographical root with my patrons proving, yet again, what a small world we inhabit.
Emma creates both printed and sculptural works and her use of biro pens to create her original artwork truly does show that artists can use anything to create art.
The Mist-weaver was much taken by the cute sculpted Hagus but was too slow to secure a particularly striking print of an original Whale art work.
Nick Byrne Art
Nick from Nick Byrne Art is a very talented artist creating hand drawn fan art and using only coloured pencils to provide the colour!
Capable of almost superhuman talking speeds, Nick also has an incredible tolerance for the cold – whilst my patrons were shivering against the cold in multiple layers, Nick was impervious to such distractions shielded only by a T-shirt against the elements. Clearly Norse blood must be flowing through his veins!
Peter Wheatcroft Art
The Mist-weaver wandered off and was found staring in wonder at the creations of Peter from Peter Wheatcroft Art.
A trainee architect, Peter works for up to a year at a time on a single piece of art. His original works are A0 in size and the level of detail seems too much for one human to have created. His themes span many genres including the Tolkienesque with a detailed study of Minas Tirith particularly captivating my patrons.
Tellingly, he provides a magnifying glass so patrons perusing his stall can view the incredible detail in the scaled down versions of of his work.
