My Garden

By Nancy Millar

Paying homage to our gardens
Image provided by Nancy Millar

How to evoke the Spirit of the Highlands and Islands on a small piece of linen? What is important to me in my local area? The mountains and lochs are definitely uplifting but tending my garden makes me happiest. I grow a variety of flowers and shrubs to provide colour and interest throughout the year, as well as vegetables. It’s very satisfying on a winters day to find enough veg to make a pan of soup! Caring for a garden is much like caring for each other. If I see a plant that's not thriving I would give it some extra TLC. I see growth, decay, death and renewal on a yearly basis while enjoying the colours of the changing seasons. I find peace and pleasure in my garden and appreciate the bird and insect life therein.

Many thanks to Nancy Millar, of the Group 31 Top Left Corner Stitchers, 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 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.