Highland Landscape

By Jan Teago

Highland Landscape Journey Stone
Image provided by Jan Teago

The Highlands are scattered with the remains of houses and communities. When walking in the hills one comes across these ruins and I often wonder who lived there and what sort of hard life they had. Even on some remote and small islands there are the remains of fanks and houses. Where are their descendants now? Scattered to all corners of the world.

We have seen some in North Island of New Zealand where there are communities made up of their descendants who emigrated in the 1800's, mostly because of religious persecution and not the Highland Clearances.

Many thanks to Jan Teago 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.