Stitching Together Our Highland Journeys

By Carron McDiarmid

The Kessock Bridge - a symbol of social progress
Image provided by Carron McDiarmid

100 years ago, my grandfather from Nairn, like many Highlanders, left the region for a better life. He travelled with free passage to Canada. My first journey stone shape was traced from red sandstone from Nairn Beach in memory of his journey. Today our stitching group has women from several countries who have migrated here to settle in the Highlands. How wonderful. The Kessock Bridge, 40 years old this year, supported economic and population growth in the Inner Moray Firth. I travel it nearly every day across the Beauly Firth. My final journey stone is an embroidered interpretation of the Ordnance Survey map of the bridge and vicinity, a symbol of social progress.

Many thanks to Carron McDiarmid 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.