LUCIE MCDOUGALL
GAELIC and WRITTEN WORD
A'Choille - the forest - the trees and panoramas within a'choille each depict wooded areas or forest. these places are those which I feel most at peace, the gentle breeze whooshing between the trees.
'fo na h-iarmailtean' the term under the heavens was taken from the idea of "thin place" the grounding and spirituality I feel on Iona.
'Dachaigh' - home - as often this is a feeling more than physical place for me. The book contains marks which I feel best represent the emotions experienced when I feel safe and calm.
'Còisir' - birdsong was a work which drew inspiration from bird spectographs as well as the formation and movements which birds create when in flying in murmurations and flocks.
within Dachaigh I discuss two separate stories; one of my own homesickness and longing to be back in Scotland, back with my mother and the other about feeling like an alien, invisible and the struggles with feeling out of place.
'Freumhach' - root, the idea of connection and the intricate networks which trees use for communication and survival.
the importance of Gaelic In my work is second to none - the rhythmic and lyrical value each word holds emphasises the cultural integrity and importance of heritage as this is something which my ancestors have spoken for over 1000 years.
within Dachaigh a few translated segments are "buinidh mo chridhe an so" which is 'my heart belongs here'. While on Mull, I often feel an unmatched ability to clear and restructure my thoughts, the island allows me to feel safe.
"thoir dachaigh mi" - carry me home
"tha mi ag ionndrainn mo mhathair" - I miss my mother
Anna Crowe is a Scottish poet who touches upon the themes of homesickness, longing and memory. the poem resonated with me and helped me in writing the small segments of writing inside Dachaigh.
Link to poem
IAIN CRICHTON SMITH - Gaelic speaking poet Crichton Smith has written various texts which have helped me in writing about my own thoughts and feelings through the beauty of Gaelic and the complexity of storytelling.
Crichton smith discusses feeling out of place, home, memory and change.
KATHLEEN JAMIE is a Scottish writer who uses poetry and writing to discuss Scotlands landscape in English and Gaelic.
link to poem
in poem The Tradition Jamie touches upon the idea of coming back, revisiting time and time again. ties between this and the experience Ben Fogel discusses in Scotland's Sacred Islands while on Iona.
IONA ABBEY
revisiting and finding your way back is quoted on the entrance to the Iona Abbey "Am fear a thèid a dh'l, thèid e trì uairean ann." which translates one who goes there, goes there three times.
