As this blog is about my writing ‘journey’, I like to mention the people and places that inspire me along the way. Of course, things as simple as a walk with the dogs can fire the imagination but I also like to feed my creativity with getting out and about to see and do new things.
This year I’ve managed to pack in a fair number of outings and events involving words and pictures which gave me experiences that may or may not inspire my writing one day but definitely made me think and learn more.
Here’s my record of the inspirational stuff I did in 2014.
The Kelpies are the largest equine sculptures in the world and can be found in Falkirk.
10 x Events
Glasgow Women’s Heritage Walk at Necropolis, Electric Glen, Kelpies Tour, Falkirk, Tour of Glasgow Central Station, Open Doors Day- Stirling Sherriff Court, Secrets of Old Stirling Tour,Wooer With Words x 2 & For Falkirk’s Sake & Home Game (spoken word events)
9 x Visits to NTS properties
Alloa Tower, House of Binns, Culross Palace, Malleny Gardens, Burns Museum, Weaver’s Cottage, David Livingstone Centre, Battle of Bannockburn Experience, Crarae Gardens
The stunning work of botanical artist Fiona Strickland
7 x Talks
John Shankie, Artist, Janice Galloway, Writer, Doug Allan, Wildlife Cameraman, Alex Frost, Artist, Fiona Strickland, Botanical Artist, Shazia Hobbs, Writer, Jackie Kay, Writer
6 x Holiday/Trips
Millport, Campbeltown, Zermatt & Geneva, Oslo, York
6 x Days Out
Tower of London, The Shard, Gilmerton Cove, Jupiter Artland, Barony A Frame
The Wendy Hoose was an outstanding piece of Scottish theatre.
4 x Theatre Shows
This Wide Night, The Wendy Hoose, Three Sisters, Slava’s Snow Show
4 x Literary Festivals
Boswell, Edinburgh, Dundee, Linlithgow
3 x Book Launches
The Last Pair of Ears by Mary McDonough Clark, The Busker by Liam Murray Bell, 21 Revolutions by Glasgow Women’s Library
Cowcaddens Streetscape in the Fifties by Alasdair Gray
2 x Exhibitions
Jack Vettriano, Alasdair Gray
2 x Research Trips
Chapelside Community Centre, Interview with Violet McGuire
1 x Workshop
Performance and Presentation with Alex Gillon
With only a couple of exceptions, these were almost all really positive experiences and I know that I’m VERY lucky to have the time and the money to do these things. I hope I stay lucky and next year I keep adding to this list and keep learning.
Have you been to see or do any of the stuff on my list? What did you make of the experience? Please ask if you’d like more info on anything I’ve featured, in the meantime, all the very best to you and yours for 2015!
Helen MacKinven 