The Return, A Prophecy Fulfilled
As an artist and storyteller I am fascinated by the pictures that stories, particularly traditional Highland stories, inspire in the mind’s eye.
The Brahan Seer prediction that 'Sheep will chase the people from the land and they will be forced to travel to lands as yet unknown' is one of his great predictions and foretells the often told story of the Highland Clearances.
However he also said that after the 'Black Rain' the people will return. I have for sometime wanted to create this story into a textile art quilt. celebrating the return of people, language, culture as well as the fresh ideas and vitality that come with the returning of young people to the Highlands.
As I worked on the concept, I faced the challenge of how to tell such a big story, I began sketching ideas into a little book, as I did I found inspiration in many places included lines from Sorely MacLean's poem Hallaig, I kept saying to myself the window to the west is no longer nailed and boarded… there is a light in the window. Music, too, of course as it is at the heart of so much of the cultural renaissance of the Highlands.
I thought too of the deep instinct of Salmon to return to the river of their birth. The wonderful work of reintroducing wildlife including Osprey, Redkites, Red Squirrels and the care and enjoyment of the environment this represents. Also innovations and new ideas from abroad, such as the field borders of sunflowers growing in Ross-Shire. New adventurers, surfing, skiff building, all felt part of this story and the story felt very positive and so I decided to let my Story Quilt be joyful.
How to tell this in fabric? By using materials from home and from ‘distant lands’. Also contemporary takes on traditional tartans and fabrics made in art workshops. I feel these represent successful businesses and creative art workshop opportunities happening here in the Highlands.
artist with commission
Image provided by Paul Campbell/Northport
As an artist and storyteller I am fascinated by the pictures that stories, particularly traditional Highland stories, inspire in the mind’s eye.
I am also inspired by the power of stories, to connect people to each other and to the special heritage and landscape of the Highlands. I have gathered stories that have been shared for generations; nature stories, historic stories and fairy stories, to strengthen connections to Highland culture, nature and the environment.
I have been fortunate to work with communities all around the Highlands and Islands. I have developed several art projects celebrating storytelling including; as Artistic Director and Artist for The Brahan Seer Festival. As a legacy we set four Brahan Seer Standing Stones into the landscape in and around Brahan Ross-shire
Lizzie at the Inverness Highland Games
Lizzie McDougall - TRACS (tracscotland.org)