Croick Church Etching

By Sue Gardiner

Journey Stone depicting etchings found at Croick Church, Sutherland
Image provided by Sue Gardiner

On the 24th May 1824 the people of Glencalvie in central Sutherland were expelled from their homes to clear the land to allow large scale hill sheep farming in the area. They spent two nights in the churchyard of Croick Church as they did not feel it was right to shelter within the church building. Some of the people etched messages on the church windows to leave their mark in the area.

These etchings are preserved and are a very poignant reminder of this dark period of Highland history. The people were dispersed to the south and some left Scotland and settled in New Zealand and Canada.

Many thanks to Sue Gardiner 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.