Knotworks and networks

A Celtic Tree Alphabet Mosaic Trail

Explore our villages and countryside by searching for these mosaics across the Black Isle.  Download a copy of the Mosaic Trail guidebook and its cover as well as an I-Spy quiz sheet to help you on your way.

Eighteen different community groups from the area took part in a mosaics project in 2013. Each took a letter from the Celtic tree alphabet and created a design inspired by that tree, its associated folklore, flora and fauna. To find out about the individual mosaics click here.

Members of Avoch Friendship Group working on the Hawthorn mosaic

Our research soon revealed that there are many different variations on the Celtic tree alphabet. For this project we tried to use the most commonly found versions and spellings. Each group worked with local artist Sally Purdy to produce a design to which everyone contributed, followed by a series of workshops to make the individual mosaics.

Working on Resolis Primary School's mosaic

A wide range of people were involved: young and old, local primary and secondary schools, the Area Youth officer, Brownies and special interest groups, the local care home and Friendship Groups, all funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund and Scottish Natural Heritage as part of the Year of Natural Scotland.