By Liz Peel, Species on the Edge Project Officer for Argyll and the Inner Hebrides, Butterfly Conservation
Across Mull and Argyll, we have been hosting nature-focused creative writing, journaling and willow-weaving sessions. Participants have been encouraged to use these sessions to reflect on our priority species, allowing them to appreciate and reflect on what makes these species unique and enabling nuanced conversations around nature connection and conservation.
Whilst the weather may have been wet and wild here on the west coast of Scotland, it hasn’t stopped the creative people of Mull coming out to learn all about our target species and their habitats and share the joy of nature through creative approaches.
At the start of June, we had a visit from the lovely Apithanne Bourne from Butterfly Conservation, to run a Nature Journaling workshop. The sun finally showed its face for an afternoon of nature observation, sketching, painting and all things colourful.
Later in the summer, trips to the burnet moth sites on the Glengorm estate and a Marsh Fritillary site near Appin produced some lovely non-fiction written work. Led by a local Mull writer, the group explored the habitat of the two species and their lifecycles as well as observing and discussing the wider ecosystems and beauty of the countryside around us. The groups were guided through a series of writing exercises to get the creative process flowing, and then guided in writing a personal piece about the experience and the nature around them.
The July event offered the opportunity to learn more about herb-rich grassland – a habitat which is so important for many of our species here in Argyll and the Inner Hebrides – and reflect its beauty through creative willow weaving. A guided walk by the Friends of Calgary Bay looking at the machair grassland flowers and a discussion on management led to some thoughtful discussion later while we sat under the marquee out of the wind and rain learning the new fine art of willow weaving to create our own butterflies and insects.
It’s been fantastic to receive positive feedback form these sessions and to hear about the impact they had on participants:
“A brilliant, gentle activity that anyone can do. Really accessible, creative, relaxing, informative, sociable, really recommend! Accessible for all ages.”
“Positive wellbeing and mental health, saw my local area from a new perspective, inspired new ideas and increased knowledge. I will write more often, plan to participate more in conservation outings.”
“Nature meets creativity, learn about nature and environment and connect with it in a very meaning full way.“
The events have proved very popular and have resulted in even more people engaging with Species on the Edge is Argyll and the Inner Hebrides. It’s been fantastic also to have people volunteer to get involved in upcoming conservation activity.
Here’s a look at some of the written pieces produced during these sessions:
The Rocky Knoll
Tucked away behind the pines, sheltered from the worst that the weather brings, four rocky knolls lie quietly slumbering. On looking closer we quickly find a miracle of teeny tiny life. Hugging the ground, sprawling across the rock and bare soil, flowers of every hue. Towering above, purple plumes and hard conical flowerheads of grasses, showy, flower laden orchid spires thrust through, bright splashes of purple and white.
Hidden in plain sight, clinging precariously to slender stems are the ‘rocky knolls’ ultimate treasures – jewel bright flashes of red on black, furry, fluffy bodies, spindly brown legs. Delicate antennae quivering in the breeze. The rarest of rare creatures. This is the home of the Slender Scotch Burnet.
Burnet moth poem
Red on Black
Delicate yet tough
Elusive and rare
Mull’s very own
