Pebbles

By Jane Angel

A brilliant embroidered homage to finding home anew and the geology of the Highlands and Islands
Image provided by Jane Angel

As soon as I got the instructions for the journey stone I knew what I would do. As an artist I have long been fascinated with pebbles, their wonderful shapes, colours and textures and the way what we find on our beaches reflects the geology of an area. Having moved in 2020 from the Devon coast to the Black Isle I have completed a very long and emotional journey and now feel I have reached my spiritual home after many years of wandering. I have collected pebbles, featured them in my paintings and painted designs on them. Now, I live 1 minute from a lovely pebbly beach looking over the Moray Firth with mountains in the distance. A place resonant with the Spirit of Scotland's Highlands and Islands.

Many thanks to Jane Angel 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.