The thistle has long been identified with Scotland. First as its national flower, and more recently as its ‘unofficial’ national anthem, coincidentally entitled, The Flower of Scotland. Altho not formally recognized as yet, the song is sung at sporting matches, as well as international gatherings and events. And like its floral counterpoint, is recognized as a symbol of Scotland.
This quilt was done in tribute to the flower itself… and to the song. The fractured landscape attempts to capture the unique beauty which defines the grandeur of the Scottish Highlands.
Mointeath Raithneach (Rannoch Moor) is roughly 50 square miles of bracken, bog, and soggy lochans, rising to over 1300 feet. A lonely and desolate place, the landscape is nothing short of majestic. The view depicted here is from the Glen Coe area in western Scotland, scene of the infamous Glen Coe Massacre in 1692.
The Campbells took refuge with the MacDonald’s to escape the February cold and snow, only to turn around and slaughter them. Under orders from King William, this was to include the women and children. It was a gross and grievous breach of the sanctity of hospitality, and had far-reaching repercussions.
The story of the Massacre was memorialized in song to insure it would never be forgotten. And that is how I came to make this quilt.
It may seem odd or somehow disrespectful, to put such a tragedy to music. Yet a closer study shows much of Scotland’s history is told through her music, the better to ensure such events live on throughout the course of time, so future generations don’t forget. A perfect example of this is the Chevalier’s Muster Roll, a song which names all the clans called to the Battle of Culloden on Drumossie Moor in 1746. A turning point in Scottish history which marked the destruction of the clan way of life. These events cannot be forgotten, for they help to define and explain the Scotland of today.
So… how did this quilt come about? How did it come to be named Flower of Scotland? And what has that got to do with a piece of swampy moorland in the middle of nowhere?
Well, therein lies a Quilt Corner Tale….
The initial sketch was taken from a video of the song, Massacre of Glen Coe written by John McDermott, and sung by a Scottish folk duo, The Corries. Deeply moved by the scenery, with the music playing in the background, I knew it had to be memorialized in more than just song. And one part of the video stood out in particular.
There is a scene where the foreground shows marsh and bogland, culminating in an island of fir trees, surrounded by rock and streams. From here the scene gradually gives way to the foothills and corries of the lower elevations, before reaching the higher crags and rocky tors of the Highland peaks themselves. It is so striking… and this was what I aspired to ‘capture’ within the confines of mere fabric.
So, where does the Flower of Scotland part come in? As this scene in the video plays out, the face of the singer is superimposed over across the landscape. And the singer just happens to be Roy Williamson who wrote the national anthem. However, since I am not good at depicting faces… an applique presentation of a thistle plant was overlaid onto the quilt, in tribute to the song and its composer.
Here is a brief clip of that particular section of the video which caught my attention. Bear with me folks, as I am not very tech-minded. However, you can get an idea of where the inspiration originated… take careful note of the background landscape… https://youtube.com/clip/Ugkxqi6bTqE83jvhT1xhSsXgEhtCGEdHtJrE?si=B6YbOK-VmtupU2lc
By playing and pausing the video, oh so many times, I was able to make an initial sketch of the landscape. Later it would be fleshed out in greater detail for the templates used in making the quilt.
A closer look shows 10 separate fractures of light, medium and darker-hued materials. However, within each of these individual fractures, are 5 to 6 sub-configurations, which in turn make one complete whole. Together, they allow for a feeling of motion and depth, as though giving breath itself to this quiet majesty of Caledonia.
The various rays of light create shadow, and give a sense of movement to the otherwise still shapes of rock, stream, and tree. Machine-pieced, the quilt is then top-stitched with satin-stitch outlines of the separate aspects making up the landscape. Thus, helping to focus the eye upon mountain, bracken, bog, and hillock.
This top-stitching wandering across the individual fractures, ties it all together in order to form the larger central design. The top-stitching is done in a variety of coloured threads; either to blend in with, or allow contrast to, certain features. For example, the stream running through mid-piece is further delineated with ‘waves’ of blue metallic threads emphasizing the gleam of watery brightness.
The fractures themselves, once stitched together, make up the centerpiece of the quilt. At which point, a thistle plant was sketched out, and subsequently appliqued over the completed landscape. This was done with lame fabric which has a glossy sheen. It helps the thistle to stand out, over and above the background, so as not to get lost in presentation. This too was top-stitched, and metallic thread was used here for added emphasis. The root of the thistle originates from within the Celtic knot at the lower right corner.
The entire scene is then bordered with a deep purple fabric, for further emphasis of the thistle theme and color. A wider frame of deep blue fabric is then added to enclose it all together, and anchor a Celtic knot design, done in 1/2″ bias-strips of a tonal white on white material.
Together, the colors of this border represent the blue and white of the national flag – the Scottish Salter. Situated at the four corners is a Trinity Knot design; designating Father, Son, and Holy Spirit as represented in ancient and traditional Celtic knotwork.
Enclosed within the Trinity Knots, and in several of the knot designs along the border, is the Flower of Scotland tartan. This tartan was commissioned in memory of Roy Williamson who composed the national anthem. It is a variation of the Clan Gunn tartan as worn by Mr. Williamson. And also… happens to be my own family’s tartan. So, the connection is personal, adding yet another layer of meaning.
A ribbon of the Flower of Scotland plaid binds the entire quilt together for greater continuity… and is a fitting benediction to this unique interpretation of Scottish heritage and history.
An added whimsical touch is silver metallic thread in a French-Knot design of The Plough, which happened to be Roy Williamson’s favourite constellation. We know it here as the Big Dipper.
This quilt was indeed a challenge with the many different aspects that went into making the whole, and giving it added layers of meaning. I love how it brings a little piece of Scotland into my home. A fitting reminder of my heritage and roots… and that of my dear family and what they stood for.
May they rest in peace… so lovingly remembered.
As an aside….
The full video of the song Massacre of Glen Coe can be found here on You Tube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8cPitxtk4m0
The Corries were Scotland’s premier folk duo throughout the 1960’s -1990’s.
Their collaboration ended with the premature death of Roy Williamson from a brain tumour in 1990.
He lived long enough to see his song, Flower of Scotland, sung as the anthem at Murrayfield Stadium for Scotland’s 1990 Grand Slam rugby game against England. They were led by his partner Ronnie Browne.
Flower of Scotland was first debuted by The Corries in 1968… this original version was filmed at Ruthven Barracks… https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XiyLuv3GSs4
And how it is sung today as the National Anthem…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_PkfqU_XJzo
4 thoughts on “The Flower of Scotland”
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recommendations or tips? Many thanks!
Meditation and prayer work wonders! Good luck.
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Thank you Tammi for the kind words!!!
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