From a Far Away Place to a Passing Place

By Aileen Bennett

A journey stone homage to finding a home in the Highlands
Image provided by Aileen Bennett

I was born in Scotland but spent the first 12 years of my life in Canada. We moved back to Ayrshire and for my first family holiday, we travelled north to Orkney. It was one of my first clear memories of driving on single-track roads with passing places and a drive on these roads today can still bring back the feelings of our life in a new country. I have lived in the Highlands for 38 years now and it is very much my home.

Many thanks to Aileen Bennett 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.