River of Plenty
The Strathspey Stitchers came together from Aviemore, Grantown-on-Spey, Nethy Bridge, Boat of Garten and beyond to stitch the story of an incredible river and the communities which have surrounded it for generations.
This is their story.
High in the watershed mountains east of the Great Glen, beyond the head of Glen Roy, below the glower of Càrn Leac, a river rises.
More than a hundred miles long, it flows faster than any in Britain as it makes its urgent way though the glens and straths of the Highlands. Never meandering, swollen by scores of streams and tributary rivers that tumble down from the Cairngorm massif, the Spey runs faster and faster down its course. When it reaches the Moray Firth near Fochabers, the current races at more than thirty-six miles an hour.
The great river seems unifying. It rises in the wilds and winds of the mountains before flowing through the fertile farms of the Moray coast lands. It brings together Highland water and Lowland barley in Strathspey where half of Scotland’s malt whisky is distilled and almost a third of her food products are made. Famous names such as Glenfiddich, Glenfarclas, Walkers and Baxters line the banks of the Spey while in its waters swim some of the finest salmon and trout. On its bed can be found freshwater mussels and their beautiful pearls.
Despite its speed and powerful winter spates, the Spey has long been a provider, a river of plenty.
The River of Plenty!Image provided by Kirstie Campbell
[Alison] I think you were saying earlier Janet, it's part of our own history. It's something that, you know, when we're no longer here our children, our grandchildren, can look at and know there's a wee bit of our DNA on it...It's our own culture, it's our own history and we're part of it.
- The Strathspey Stitchers, Stitching the Stories of the Spey
DISCOVER MORE STORIES FROM OUR GROUP
The Strathspey Stitchers also contributed many of their own stories to their panel. Stories of local myths and legends, the power of the river, community characters and the art form of embroidery used to bring their salmon to life.
Read on below.
The Strathspey StitchersImage provided by Smartify
Discover more stories from our group
WITH THANKS TO THE STRATHSPEY STITCHERS
This panel was stitched by Jan, Liz, Alison, Jane, Janet G, Janet A, Naomi, Penny, Rona, Sally and Sandra who gave their time, skill and energy to completing a fantastic artwork for their area.
If you would like to see the panel up close and admire the detail of their work, please look out for the panel at an exhibition near you soon. To find out more, follow Inverness Castle Experience on Facebook for all the latest updates on the Tapestry of the Highlands and Islands and the new visitor experience in Inverness, open 2025.
