Heartlands of Highland Perthshire - Healing Stones
BY THE HEARTLANDS STITCHERS
Design sketch of a Healing StoneImage provided by The Heartland Stitchers
The detailed healing stone, completedImage provided by The Heartlands Stitchers
Raina and Bou, of the Heartlands StitchersImage provided by The Heartlands Stitchers
TELLING THE STORY OF THE HEARTLANDS PANEL
St Fillan’s Healing Stones are said to have been given to the people of Killin by St Fillan in 777 AD. The set of eight Healing Stones, each shaped like an organ of the body, were given healing powers by St Fillan if rubbed on the afflicted area. They are kept in the Old Mill next to the Falls of Dochart, where they are available to view and to use.
St Fillan, whose name means “little wolf” is said to have established the first mill on the site, and is also said to have convinced a wolf to pull his plough after it ate his ox!
Raina is the Mill Manager and has the honour of overseeing the “Re-bedding of the Healing Stones”, a traditional public ceremony which takes place every Christmas Eve. Raina’s interests include growing food and “working with horses to move things including logs, a barge and a circus!”. Her Great Great Grandmother was a Cockney dressmaker who lived to the age of 100.
Many thanks to the Heartland Stitchers for sharing with us this incredible story behind their panel, created as part of the Tapestry of the Highlands and Islands.
READ MORE STORIES FROM THE TAPESTRY OF THE HIGHLANDS AND ISLANDS
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.