Heartlands - Vicki's Story

BY THE HEARTLAND STITCHERS

Tay - Vicki's cat and honorary tapestry assistant
Image provided by Heartlands Stitchers

TELLING THE STORY OF THE HEARTLANDS PANEL

Vicki lives just outside Pitlochry and was the first person to work on the main panel, cutting the tweed and doing the applique of the outer circle (the blue tweed was the colour we were supplied with rather than the pink shown in Andrew’s original picture) and being ably assisted by her cat, called Tay.

I moved to Scotland with my husband and two children in November 2018 because we wanted a happier life, to get out of the rat race from London and better schooling. We certainly got all of that!

My background is midwifery for the last 30 years and now I work in the local care home both as carer and, on occasion, cook! My husband Graham and I have two young boys, Christopher (11) and George (7) both of whom have been involved with this project too. Graham works in IT and from home, which is marvellous for us as a family.

Heartlands of Highland Perthshire tapestry panel in progress with blue tweed samples
Image provided by Heartlands Stitchers

Heartlands of Highland Perthshire panel in progress with a circle of blue tweed appliqued by Vicky,
Image provided by Heartland Stitchers

Many thanks to the Heartland Stitchers, and to Vicki, 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.