Spirit Heads
The Gairloch Reflectors were one of two groups from the area who volunteered to stitch the Tapestry of the Highlands and Islands. They met at Gairloch Museum to stitch and exchange ideas and have lots of laughs along the way. They were tasked with creating a large panel with an intricate design.
This is their story.
Intricately stitching vibrant colour into the waves.Image provided by Paul Campbell Photography
Behind us trail traces of the past, our experiences, memories and impressions, places and their atmosphere. Behind these three faces looking to the future, waves crash on a Hebridean beach, sheep graze on a Sutherland hillside, pine trees pattern an Argyll landscape and salmon swim up the River Spey to spawn. Blown by the winds of the longer past, a birlinn sails on the seas of history with its cargoes of failure and triumph, and behind it, the threads at last thin out, fading and fraying into the shadows of deep time. You will find powerful impressions and interpretations alongside the stories of people, and their past, in the Journey Stones that decorate each panel. Listen for the quiet music of the beauty of these Highlands and Islands.
Spirit Heads, Gairloch.Image provided by Kirstie Campbell
Homage to a life saving phone box at Big Sands, GairlochImage provided by Viveca Port
Journey stones were stitched in to the panel inspired by stitchers personal stories about the place they live and their community.
Read Viveca's story of the life saving phone box and the community who installed it.
Be inspired by the infectious laughter and enthusiasm of the Gairloch Reflectors in this film
WITH THANKS TO THE GAIRLOCH REFLECTORS
This panel was stitched by Beryl, Marie, Joyce, Mandy, Carol, Annie, Claire, Viveca, Irene, Alice, Sam, Jill and Cassie 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.
