Nova Scotian Neckpiece

This is a huge chain made from small oval copper links that have been rolled flat. The links range from about 2.5cm long and increase in size gradually to 5cm. I made all of the links in Cape breton and rolled them flat, opened them up and soldered them together when I got back to Edinburgh. It was about 3 meters long before I knotted the length of it which took it back down to 1 meter.







The chain - I like it's scribbled, hand drawn look.













The Nova Scotian twigs, painted, burnt and rubbed back are threaded through the chain.

Back on Scottish soil.....

Back home with a bump of reality I returned to the studio and realised how much work I have to do. It feels really good to be back in my own surroundings and it almost feels like I have never been away. I've been catching up with friends, the Edinburgh Festival has started and it's easy to get swept up with all of the jobs that are waiting for me and the general activity of this time of year, so I've made the effort to set aside an area in my studio dedicated to images and objects from Cape Breton to keep them active in my mind.





The weather is decidedly Scottish though. It would be nice to have some sunshine....

An Drochaid - the Mabou museum and archives

The settlement in Mabou began in 1797. In the early days, Mabou was considered part of Judique Parish until October 1825, and it was under the charge of Reverend Alexander MacDonell. In October 1822 he met Father William Fraser and they went to "Cape Mabou" as they called it, to perform a Mission among the settlers. Father Fraser had emigrated August 8, 1822, with 300 highlanders from Scotland in the ship called "The Commerce", and they first landed at MacMillan's Cove, at the Strait of Canso, now Port Hastings.

the Right Rev.William Fraser

the 19th Century Antigonish Dioces

the old St. Mary's Church - It remained standing until August 1925 when it burned to the ground (under questionable sircumstances).

workers on the church steeple from 1918-1921

the little church that travelled

Mother of Sorrows Pioneer Shrine

The shrine is found in the miniature church which was moved from its original location in 1967 by the Brothers of Our Lady of Seven Sorrows to Mabou. The small white church was repaired and restored and was officially opened as a shrine in July 1968 and is dedicated to Our Lady of Sorrows and the pioneers of the Mabou area.

the map shows the route taken to move the church - 18km long. A shorter way couldn't be taken because of a bridgespan at Nicholson's Island.

Climbing the hill on to mabou ridge road - you can see St. Mary's Parish Church (the one in my first blog) in the background. The power corporation lead all the way to clear the lines.

Log Blog

A very hot and dry day on West Mabou beach.
These images echo ideas I've been having about making a series of wire pieces around the theme of clearing the land (of stone in Scotland and wood in Nova Scotia).....

the beachy woods of Mabou Mines

grey weather, grey wood

Most of these shots were taken in sunshine but the weather has taken a turn for the worse and these digital images worked together so there you go.

a day at the highland village - an clachan gàidhealach

The mission of the Highland Village Museum/An Clachan Gàidhealach, a living history museum, is to research, collect, preserve and share the Gaelic heritage and culture of Nova Scotia and represent it accurately and vibrantly. There is a strong focus on the reconstruction of Gaelic language in Nova Scotia and you can find out more at http://museum.gov.ns.ca/hv/index.html ....this was my day in Iona....



....these are some of the staff - they forced me to dress up.....


...I clearly hated it.


this was the local store......








....a wee ceilidh...


...some toe-tapping piping and fiddling....


.....some step dancing.....


....some more step dancing......

....and the see-saw, which was a compulsory social activity for pioneers at this time










...it's not so easy side-saddle.

blues