Craft Lineages: Cultural reclaimation through traditional craft practice
​My research is structured by my participation in a Masters of Research from Glasgow School of Art. Within GSA my work is situated with Rural Lab, a new school with is situated on Altyre Estate in the Highlands and Islands. My M.Res is structures as part thesis, part creative practice and so through the process I will be developing a body of research driven fine art work alongside my thesis.
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My research involves exploring traditional wool use that has been integral to the survival of peoples in the highlands and islands of Scotland. To say these skills are forgotten or are objects of the past is untrue and overly simplistic – there are many spinners still spinning and processing wool in small batches and these skills are being passed on in many ways, however, they are not the universal skills of survival they once were.
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Through upholding these traditional means of creation and understanding the contribution they have made to the survival of our people, we can turn the tide on the loss of traditional skills. Even by becoming just one more person in the area who can work with wool and create quality yarn from local sheep, I can contribute to the preservation of a way of life which is important to our cultural heritage and identity.
When I began this research, I found myself looking very widely at heritage crafts, like a child in a sweet shop, I found it difficult to curtail myself to one thing or another. However, through conversations with other researchers and my supervisory team I was able to focus on what was most important and what I was most passionate about – understanding how the development of textile craft is integral to the development and survival of rural communities in Scotland, and how I can forge deeper connections to the heritage of rural Scotland and my own heritage through engaging with these traditional skills.
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Alongside the reclamation of traditional textile skills, I am learning to speak the indigenous language of Scotland, Gàidhlig. Gàidhlig is the oldest spoken language in Scotland with a rich history intertwined with the culture of Scotland.
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This research is still verey much a work in progress, and may change considerably by its end in Sep 2026, as it has done already since its inception in Jan 2025.
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