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Sandy Beach, Gairloch (Credit: VisitScotland/ Paul Tomkins)
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A Life Saving Phone Box

By Viveca Port

Homage to a life saving phone box at Big Sands, Gairloch
Image provided by Viveca Port

The main focus on my journey stone is the phone box. This phone box is situated in a prominent position in Big Sand, a small crofting township west of Gairloch and overlooking the island of Longa. There is no longer a phone in it but instead has been taken over by the local community who installed a life saving defibrillator.

In 2018 a Gairloch resident, (Cherill Parry) fell ill and was saved in part due to the actions of her neighbour who was able to intervene with the aid of a defibrillator available at the Gairloch Community Hall. Big Sand resident, Peter Wimpenny came up with the idea for our local community to adopt the phone box and install a defibrillator. Many of the local residents have had tuition in how to use the ‘defib’ machine. In order to advertise the presence of the defibrillator, I painted a mural featuring our local coastline and a sea eagle. The mural is affixed to the back of the phone box.

It seemed appropriate to invite Cherill to come and officially cut the ribbon to open the Big Sand phone box, and on 29th June 2019 we had a lovely party in glorious sunshine to celebrate. The new defibrillator is now on the radar of the ambulance service who can advise people of its whereabouts in an emergency. The defibrillator has already been used to save at least one life!


Many thanks to Viveca Port for sharing with us the story behind her journey stone, created as part of the Tapestry of the Highlands and Islands.

WHAT IS A JOURNEY STONE?

Prior to the beginning of the stitching of each tapestry panel, each stitcher of the Tapestry of the Highlands and Islands was tasked with telling their interpretation of the 'Spirit of the Highlands and Islands' within a blank outline of a stone. The possibilities were truly endless - is it represented in the land? The people? A historical site? A favourite memory?

In any case, each journey stone represents the connection between each individual stitcher, their story, and their own sense, or 'spirit', of place. Discover more of the stories behind the journey stones of the Tapestry of the Highlands and Islands here.