Going Home

By Rena Harlick

Journey Stone tribute to the beauty of Laxford in autumn
Image provided by Rena Harlick

The first time I travelled along the Loch Shin road from Lairg to Laxford Bridge, I was going to visit my niece, who was living in Kinlochbervie. I was amazed at the beautiful landscape, in what felt like a more and more remote area. Having then moved, from Stirling, to the far North West, I have been up-and-down this single track road many, many times to visit friends and family. It is familiar now so not so remote. Instead it is near home.

Driving at different times of the day or seasons, I have seen still icy reflections, waterfalls appearing to blow vertically, and spindrift dancing in the wind over the water. Deer stand and watch the car pass, and then elegantly leap away. The colours change with the season. In this journey stone I have stitched the autumn bracken with Ben Stack in the background, heralding the way home.

Many thanks to Rena Harlick 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.