Heilan Coo with Thistle

By Jackie Sheddan

Journey Stone depicting a Heilin Coo with a Thistle
Image provided by Jackie Sheddan

My journey stone was inspired by my daughter who is crazy about Highland cows, thistles and anything connected with Scotland!

She has a heilan coo ornament on her conservatory wall made of twigs - it is beautiful. Her golf bag has a heilan coo club cover and her new/old house’s name was changed to “Cluaran” which means “thistle".This was what came to mind when I read the title of our tapestries!

Many thanks to Jackie Sheddan 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 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.