This short film is for Harriet.
Yesterday I visited her grave.
At the end of May we visited Newliston House and gardens.
What a beautiful house it is and the centuries-old designed gardens just wonderful:
Above Newliston House stairway hang a number of portraits of a child named Harriet:
The main portrait is by William Dyce, RSA, the Aberdeen artist who played a part in the formation of public art education:
A newspaper report on this painting of Harriet:
Sadly, Harriet died not long after the portrait was painted:
Harriet was buried in the family burying ground, Meadowbank House, Kirknewton:
Ordnance Survey Book:
There was once a small kirk where Harriet was buried:
HARRIET
Harriet, impossible as it is,
you led me to
Corriemuckloch.
You died so young, so long ago.
your childhood vivacity
hangs on in there
above the Newliston stairway.
Harriet, tonight I am here, in
Corriemuckloch.
It was here that your Aunty Lilias died
on her way to Kenmore.
Today, by the Quaich, I travelled to Kenmore.
Your portrait was in my mind.
Art, beautiful art, lives beyond us.
Photographs taken at Kirknewton Private Burial Ground, 9 July 2025:
