A Simple Shell

By Hazel Castro

A Simple Shell Journey Stone
Image provided by Hazel Castro

I am not a native Highlander but my childhood holidays were always spent in Argyll and I then moved to the Highlands 44 years ago. It has been the best place possible to bring up a family and indeed although they have all moved to countries far and wide their hearts, as is mine, are always here. Our coastline is so abundant , diverse and beautiful that I decided to highlight my love for the area in my journey stone.

Many thanks to Hazel Castro 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 of 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.