The Exemplary 2024
2nd Place, Professional Mixed-Media
The Linda Calsing Award

The old packhorse bridge in Carrbridge in the Cairngorms National Park is the oldest stone bridge in the Highlands. The plaque near the viewpoint reads as follows:

“At the beginning of the eighteenth century, to the inconvenience of both travelers and local people, there was no point at which the River Dulnain could be crossed when it was in spate*, and burials at the Church of Duthil were often delayed.
“Brigadier-General Alexander Grant of Grant, Clan Chief, commissioned John Niccelsone, a mason from Ballindaloch, to build a bridge at Lynne of Dalrachney. Built between May and November 1717, the bridge was paid for out of stipends of the Parish of Duthill.
“Its parapets and side walls were badly damaged in the 18th century and again in the famous flood of August 1829, giving the appearance it still has today.”

I visited this site in 2021. It was beautiful and inspired me to create this piece. I chose needle felting because I was interested in using the medium to create texture. I like the texture of felting, but I find it even better when it is combined with embroidery.

The rocks on the bridge were needle felted wool roving. Stitching was used to delineate the texture of the rocks. Silk roving and wool nepps were used for texture in the water. The base of the piece is kunin felt.

I find that stitching gives more definition than needle felting alone. It also holds things in place with more certainty.

*In “spate” means flooding.