On Sunday August 11th, 2019, the Heartstone Without Frontiers exhibition was presented at Foulis Castle, the home of Clan Munro in the Scottish Highlands, as part of the Munro Gathering, an international event bringing Munros together from all over the world. In the photo above, Hector Munro, Chief of Clan Munro, welcomes guests to the exhibition covering the natural world and linked Heartstone stories.
The Castle is located in the spectacular landscapes of the Scottish Highlands with a backdrop of the mountain Ben Wyvis and for many of those attending, it was a ‘once in a lifetime’ event. The Munros are spread across the world as a result of the 19th Century Land Clearances, and every five years, they come together for the Gathering. As such, it was very special to have the invitation to be part of what was a traditional part of Highland culture.
Heartstone has had a collaborative partnership and friendship with the Munros stretching over many years, which has included providing special access for the photography. If you are wondering what a Clan Chief does in his daily life, in Hector’s case, he is a farmer growing crops such as barley. The Munro lands are very rich in their biodiversity and the Munros feel protecting and preserving this heritage is an important part of what they do, making them an ideal Heartstone partner.
During the exhibition event, Sitakumari presented stories of the animals and plants featured, starting with stories from the Scottish tradition but then connecting with the five continents, showing how people of all backgrounds have related to their surrounding environment which has sustained them over many centuries. It was an opportunity to present some of the history of the area and modern-day scientific findings connected with the subjects featured in the images.
The images have been gathered over several years thanks to ’special access’ for Hearstone’s photogapher/writer, Nick Sidle, from a wide range of Heartstone’s partners, including the RSPB, Forestry Commission and Scottish Natural Heritage. The aim was to take visitors into the natural world, to see it from a new angle, ‘moments of time’ which really give you an insight into the drama and magic which takes place from day to day but few ever get to see.
Alpha Munro, pictured above standing next to her husband, Hector, and other members of the Munro family, on the balcony of the Foulis Castle, has performed with Sitakumari over many years. She is a well-known musician and trains the next generation of young fiddlers from her base in Evanton. She is now working with Heartstone to produce a new exhibition and book featuring the natural world.
A Scottish Highland Gathering event would not be complete without bagpipes and Highland dance and both were an important part of the programme.
Building on the success of the Heartstone Without Frontiers exhibition event in August 2018, which centred on the Cheyenne Nation in the USA, this event has been a new step using the natural world to connect people and has led to numerous invitations to take the exhibition to the USA, Australia and other parts of the world. A special reception to highlight the development of this exhibition and the partnership with Clan Munro will be taking place at Foulis Castle in the Spring of 2020.
