Heartlands - Scottish Deerhound

TELLING THE STORY OF THE HEARTLANDS PANEL

Aileen who moved to Balnaguard in 2018 is originally form Aberdeen. She says that:

Prior to this project I had never done any embroidery, although I do enjoy most arts and crafts. I have an interesting professional background having worked in variety of industries from hospitality, sports and recreation, debt recovery and trademarks and patents. However, my true passion lies in working with people and helping them learn how to train their dogs. I might have become a dog trainer much sooner had I realised it was a “real” job. With the theme of our panel being faith, a dog was an obvious choice for me as they have been long referred to as “man’s faithful friend."

Dogs have played various roles in different faiths throughout history. In ancient Egyptian mythology, dogs were considered sacred and associated with the god Anubis, who was believed to guide the souls of the dead to the afterlife. In Hinduism, dogs are associated with the god Bhairava and are considered protectors and guardians of the home. In Christianity, dogs are often seen as symbols of loyalty, protection, and faithfulness. Saint Roch, who is the patron saint of dogs, is often depicted with a dog at his feet. They also held a significant role in Celtic mythology and faith, with various breeds believed to possess different attributes and powers. The Celts also believed that dogs had the ability to see and communicate with the spirit world, making them valuable companions in rituals and ceremonies.

Dogs were often buried alongside their owners, with grave sites featuring both human and canine remains. I chose to embroider an image of the Scottish Deerhound surrounded by Celtic knots and heather because they were often found in Pictish carvings.