Heartlands - Layout and Tacking

BY THE HEARTLANDS STITCHERS

TELLING THE STORY OF THE HEARTLANDS PANEL

The design around the central panel developed as the sections were completed, and in due course it became obvious that in fact the journey stones and layout were telling the story of a journey through the Heartlands of Highland Perthshire and illustrating the faiths and beliefs, myths and legends, history and geography of lives past and present.

The left hand side of the panel shows Killin, the western limit of Highland Perthshire and where many of the pilgrim routes arrived in Highland Perthshire en route to Dunkeld and St Andrews. Rannoch Station is the northwest corner, from where the journey heads east past Schiehallion, Loch Rannoch and Fortingall towards Blair Atholl and Pitlochry, before going west again towards and along Loch Tay and finally returning to Killin. Tacking round the various journey stones was done by Trevor, Gordie and Vicki. And finally, stitching the journey stones and cords on to the panel was done by Sue, Isabel, Liv, Yvonne, Elizabeth, Ruth, Helen and Margaret as well as the ladies from the Kinloch Rannoch Crafternoon Group - Kim, Rosie, Helen, Mary, Kathleen, Sharon, Anne, Margie, Joyce and Anne.

Laying out and tacking in progress
Image provided by The Heartlands Stitchers

Laying out and tacking in progress
Image provided by The Heartlands Stitchers

Laying out and tacking in progress
Image provided by The Heartlands Stitchers

Laying out and tacking in progress
Image provided by The Heartlands Stitchers

The Heartlands Stitchers hard at work
Image provided by The Heartlands Stitchers

Trevor, of the Heartlands Stitchers
Image provided by The Heartlands Stitchers

Gordie, of the Heartlands Stitchers
Image provided by The Heartlands Stitchers

Vicki, of the Heartlands Stitchers
Image provided by The Heartlands Stitchers

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 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.