Donn Country : A 300 year legacy
Threading Rob Donn Exhibits
Celebrating the life and times of renowned Gaelic bard Rob Donn
Mackay
Col. Mackay and Christian Brodie
Durness Primary School
We were inspired by Rob Donn's theme of emigration in his poem 'Col. Mackay and Christian Brodie'. We were told that the ships at the time had three masts.
We used an African batik technique, a flour and water paste, which was squeezed on the fabric to form the waves. We fabric painted between the lines and then scraped off the dried paste to reveal white wave lines. We made detailed drawings of tall ships in pencil, then transferred a more basic ship design onto a foam printing board. We used black ink to print the ships on to the fabric.
All the children made prints of ships, but sadly we could only fit 4 in per panel. However all the children took part in creating the waves and painting the sea.
Col. Mackay and Christian Brodie
Kinlochbervie Primary School
We were inspired by Rob Donn's theme of emigration in his poem 'Col. Mackay and Christian Brodie'. We were told that the ships at the time had three masts.
We used an African batik technique, a flour and water paste, which was squeezed on the fabric to form the waves. We fabric painted between the lines and then scraped off the dried paste to reveal white wave lines. We made detailed drawings of tall ships in pencil, then transferred a more basic ship design onto a foam printing board. We used black ink to print the ships on to the fabric.
All the children made prints of ships, but sadly we could only fit 4 in per panel. However all the children took part in creating the waves and painting the sea.
Col. Mackay and Christian Brodie
Scourie Primary School
We were inspired by Rob Donn's theme of emigration in his poem 'Col. Mackay and Christian Brodie'. We were told that the ships at the time had three masts.
We used an African batik technique, a flour and water paste, which was squeezed on the fabric to form the waves. We fabric painted between the lines and then scraped off the dried paste to reveal white wave lines. We made detailed drawings of tall ships in pencil, then transferred a more basic ship design onto a foam printing board. We used black ink to print the ships on to the fabric.
All the children made prints of ships, but sadly we could only fit 4 in per panel. However all the children took part in creating the waves and painting the sea.
Isobel Mackay
Jane Kitchener & Libby Mackay
To Winter
Libby Mackay, Rosemary Macintosh and Joanne O’Donnell
A Trip to Stornoway
Susan Bearley, KLB
Rob Donn has a difficult crossing of the Minch. It can be frightening and a cause of seasickness. This is what I have attempted to express in this knitted piece – he used very expressive words to describe the water.
I’ve written some of these on sea glass (from the Minch) and attached them to the ‘waves’ with silver wire, there is always a glint in the western water. I’ve used a selection of stiches to show the confusion of the water.
Despite his fear he acutely observed the physical conditions, colour and shape, He had trust in his skipper and was very grateful for landfall.
The Court at Tongue
Glengolly
Janet Mackay, Ardgay
These boots were walking
To John Mackay
Juliane Lingner
Droving was a huge part of Rob Donn’s life. Being out in the elements for weeks on end, walking great distances – a hardship but also a closeness to the natural surroundings that we can’t begin to imagine. And still he was able to engage the mind regardless of all the physical hardship.
Fabric background, peg loom weaving, acrylic paint on slate. Remnants of a shoe I found digging a drain in the garden.
Referring to poem 66, page 131, verse 6, “In making the acquaintance of all the drovers I wore out many a boot and spur”, “Dèanamh aithne ris gach dròbhair, chaith mi iomadh bota, ‘s spuir”
Fiadh à Fireach
Juliane Lingner
Reading up about Rob Donn I was fascinated about the fact that he was a game keeper and poacher at the same time, prosecuted by a bailiff who had been a well-known poacher himself which, not being a Gael, seemed somewhat contradictory to me.
Mixed media, including tweed and deer antler.
Breac à linne, slat à coille is fiadh à fireach – mèirle às nach do ghabh gàidheal riamh nàire.
A fish from the river, a staff from the wood and a deer from the mountain – thefts no Gael was ever ashamed of.
Fjording Cattle
Juliane Lingner
I found fjording cattle – sometimes the drovers were swimming themselves - to be the thing that fascinated me most about the droving.
Wet felted background, needle felted details, drift wood boat.
Carley Mackay
Gill Manson
Anita Wilson and Liz Harvey
The panel reflects the mood of the poem which charts the shortages and starvation of winter and the anticipated abundance and richness of summer
Fabrics used include linen, cotton, hessian – some dyed with Lithuanian walnut hulls.
Techniques included applique, embroidery and hookwork.
To the Earl of Sutherland
To Prince Charles Edward Stewart
Charlie Downie, Balnakeil Craft Village, Durness
I chose the beginning of this poem because it seems relevant to me today, giving hope, encouragement, motivation.
The framework of my piece is made from knotted embroidery cotton, depicting stylised hills spanned by rainbows (a magnificent sight in nature and source for my knotwork design), flanked by a Celtic knotwork pattern in Mackay colours and culminating in a stylised saltire sky. I tried to convey the various hues of a morning sky with the infill.
When embarking on a project (rare enough for me), I rarely make plans beyond choosing the poem and the framework – the rest is very spontaneous as I am prone to overthinking.
To the Earl of Sutherland
Kinlochbervie High School, S1 – S3 pupils
‘I was born in the winter
Among the lowering mountains,
And my first sight of the world
Snow and wind about my ears’
Wet felting collage and sewing machine embellishments
Gleanna-Gallaidh
Susan Bearley, KLB
Rob Donn wrote this song in homage to his native glen. In it he expresses a dreamlike picture of peace and fruitfulness. I chose the rowan tree, native to these parts and an essential outside each home for protection from evil.
I have painted this piece on silk, quilted and embroidered it and backed it with soft tartan to echo the gentleness of the image and its value to the poet.
Gleanna Gallaidh was the first Gaelic song I ever learned – sand it in Elphin Primary School before I was 5.