My Great Grandfather's Visits to Wick

By Jill Tilt

My Great Grandfather's Visits to Wick Journey Stone
Image provided by Jill Tilt

My great grandfather was a herring fisherman out of Lowestoft during the season, and like many other fisherman followed the shoals.

My journey stone shows his boat and the hard working herring wives who also worked the West Coast. Of course we have to have a puffin having an easy meal. Out of season my great grandfather was a yachtsman. Unfortunately I never met him, so all his stories came from my grandfather, who was also a fisherman, but for haddock not herring.

Many thanks to Jill Tilt 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.