Peace Will Come
By Morag Keenan
A journey stone imbued with hopes for people in the face of war and tragedyImage provided by Morag Keenan
Celtic cross journey stoneImage provided by Morag Keenan
Lochailort from the Road to the Isles is a few houses set back from the road; from the train it is a request stop. Blink and you will miss it. A walker is more likely to head for Glen Shian to attempt the Lochailort Pyramids (An Stac, Sgurr na Ba Glaise and Rois-Bheinn). At the foot of these hills are a cluster of houses and Inverailort House. Inverailort House was requisitioned during World War ll and used for training commandos.
When I started experimenting with embroidery stitches for the tapestry I began to think of the many people who lived in this area, the men who went off to war and the many who would pray for peace to come. The invasion of Ukraine had started which explains why these thoughts were uppermost. People from many parts would be praying for peace to come.
I enjoy using Celtic cables and knots in craft work and my 'journey stone' took on a life of its own. It was started and finished in 2022. Little did I know that the panel I was involved in would also take on a life of its own. It was eventually called 'Sanctuary' because so many of the people involved saw this area as a place of tranquillity. In 2023 I am now a host to a young Ukrainian couple. When they saw our panel, read the lyrics and understood the meaning of Sanctuary their tears flowed:
It is what we are looking for. A quiet place where there is peace.
We hope peace will come soon.
Many thanks to Morag Keenan 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.