If you are a regular reader of this blog (thank you!) you will know that I was in Balfron in Scotland last month for the Final Show of the 2026 City & Guilds Diploma and Certificate students of Patchwork and Quilting, taught by Textile Artist Gillian Cooper. I stayed in very nice self-catering accommodation (contact me if you would like to know the details) not far from Balfron and stayed on for a few days after the weekend of the exhibition. On one of the days I set out to see some of Gillian Cooper’s own work which – unusually for textiles – was being displayed outdoors!
The location was an area of woodland next to the Tir Na nOg centre which is located 17 miles north of Glasgow and 20 miles from Stirling. The woods were green and lush, with small streams running through them. The air was full of bird-song, so many different species calling out across the woodland; I liked it so much that I made a recording on my phone as it was almost like a concert.
I followed the path through the woods, looking out for Gillian’s pieces and came across various other artworks along the way. This is literally an outdoor gallery.
Suddenly I came upon a group of trees which were clearly the setting for Gillian’s work. It looked so striking amongst all the greenery and the wildflowers.
Gillian has used cyanotype techniques to produce the initial images on the fabric (which gives the textiles their characteristic blue colour) and they are then enhanced with both machine and hand embroidery.
Two textile panels by Gillian Cooper in Tir Na nOg woods, photo by Amanda Jane Ogden
Others have applique added, as seen below.
Applique on a textile panel by Gillian Cooper in Tir Na nOg woods, photo by Amanda Jane Ogden
The pieces are allowed to change and develop as they hang, altered by wind, rain and exposure to light. It is a rich experience to stand with them in the centre of the wood. See them if you can. The link for the Tir Na nOg is below which will give you directions and a map. If you go, consider taking wellington boots – I had none and had to improvise with tying plastic bags over my shoes!
Tir Na nOg website: https://tirnanog.co.uk
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