The Magnificent Herring Gull

By Gill Hodgetts

Admire a journey stone celebration of the humble herring gull
Image provided by Gill Hodgetts

I chose to depict a herring gull for my journey stone. This oft-maligned bird is a favourite of mine. I admire their intelligence and their sleek beauty. I have experienced firsthand their antics. We had one who knocked on the window every day and continued knocking until we gave it something to eat. My son has had an ice cream snatched out of his hand by a herring gull. Their babies are the cutest fluffiest chicks. Since moving to the Isle of Skye in 2009 I have had the opportunity to see them daily and my admiration hasn’t diminished.

Many thanks to Gill Hodgetts 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.