The Return of the Corncrake

By Judith Hodgkin

A tribute to the majestic cornrake and the efforts to revive its populations
Image provided by Judith Hodgkin

I live on Waternish in the North West of Skye. Much of the Croft land around me is managed alongside the RSPB to encourage the return of our rare visitor the Corncrake. These birds fly from all the way from West Africa in April to familiar areas on Skye and the Outer Hebrides. Sadly their numbers are declining and our local RSPB officer, in her trusty tractor, works hard to prepare the land to encourage them to stay.

Many thanks to Judith Hodgkin 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.