Winners of the High Life Highland Countryside Rangers ‘Wildflower Poetry Competition’ announced
As part of both the Google Classroom and in-person Wildflower Schools Project delivered by the High Life Highland Countryside Rangers team throughout 2023, Primary School pupils from across the Highlands were invited to create a poem about wildflowers in English or Gaelic.
The competition opened for entries in April this year and encouraged Young Writers to submit their poems about any element of wildflowers as taught by local Rangers, from the Google Classroom, or from their own research and experiences.
An impressive volume, breadth, and calibre of entries were received by the judging panel, which consisted of: Rona Macfarlane (Horticultural Trainer) and Pamela Sutherland (Head Gardener) for English entries, and Anna Stewart (Horticultural Trainer) for Gaelic entries, all staff members at Inverness Botanic Gardens.
Entries closed at the end of June, and after much discussion over the sunny summer season, Rona and Pamela selected Jasmine King’s entry ‘Song of the Wildflowers’ (Morar) as the English-language poem winner.
Pamela said: “Jasmine’s poem was so evocative of the Scottish Highland’s beautiful landscapes and native flowers. The writing flowed easily, naturally, and painted a wonderfully sensory image using simple but effective language. Well done!”
Rona added: “Jasmine’s evocative poem stirs memories of the beauty and peace of the North West Highlands, giving voice to the native flora and fauna we can be guilty of taking for granted. All of the judges were very impressed by Jasmine’s ability to paint a landscape with her words.”
Jasmine King (now P7 at Lochaber high), wrote the poem whilst a P7 in Lady Lovat Primary, Morar. Her teacher, Rebecca Quinn said “Jasmine was keen to take the whole school, 11 pupils in total (Primary 4-7) (along to her enjoy her prize). I think Jasmine’s mum was keen to plan the trip for springtime. Jasmine is absolutely delighted and beams anytime we talk about it”.
Anna selected Eilidh MacKay’s impactful entry ‘Flùraichean’ (Acharacle).
Anna shared: “It is a gift to be able to put into words what we see in nature. Gardeners and poets have this in common;
“They tap into the hearts and minds of their audience and this poem resonated because it had depth and observation, keep writing, keep observing and protecting what is beneath our feet.”
The first-place prize that both Eilidh and Jasmine have won for their poetry competition entries are certificates presented by the Countryside Rangers and a guided ‘behind the scenes’ tour of either the Inverness Botanic Gardens or the Highland Folk Museum. They will get the option to bring along their friends, family, or classmates on these bespoke tours.
Imogen Furlong, High Life Highland’s Countryside Ranger Service Manager, added: “The Highlands is host to a number of iconic wildflowers which provide forage to ever dwindling numbers of pollinating insects.
“The winning poems serve to celebrate the importance of flowers to biodiversity and lift our hearts in praise, and it has been a pleasure to read these entries. Many of these poems will be available to access on High Life Highland’s webpage for those who would like to read them.”
Steve Walsh, High Life Highland’s Chief Executive, concluded: “High Life Highland is keen to promote literature and celebrate creativity in the Highlands and Islands, especially following 2022’s ‘Year of Stories’ and the exciting Spirit of the Highlands and Islands ‘Spirit:360’ story archive set to be featured in the upcoming Inverness Castle Experience.
“High Life Highland is excited to see this competition take place as an extension of the Countryside Rangers’ ‘Highland Wildflower Meadow Mosaic Project’ and continue to celebrate the nature and culture within Highland and Island communities.
“Eilidh and Jasmine are fantastic Young Writers and deserve to have their poems recognised through Countryside Rangers ‘Wildlife Poetry Competition’. I hope they both enjoy their tours of Inverness Botanic Gardens and the Highland Folk Museum!”
Gaelic Winner:
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Flùraichean by Eilidh MacKay
Flùraichean Tha iad cho àlainn A’ gluasad gu socair leis a ghaoth Sònraichte, sociar, snasair Beàrnan bride Cho mìn agus cho bòidheach A’ coltach mar lollipop blasta Na peatalan a’ flodraideadh air falbh le fuaim na h-eòin suas, suas dhan adhar ghorm Bròg na cuthaige Gorm agus grinn Na cinn mar trumpaid mòr trom Na dealan-dè eireachdair a’ crothadh aig fois Bròg na cuthaige Neòinean Cho beag ri luchag Geal, buidhe agus uaine Peatalan tana, caol A’ comhdach na cnuic mar plaide geal Neòinean Ach nuair a thig a’ gheamhraidh Theid iad falach Ach a-mach thig na snowdrops brèagha Geal, cùbraidh, grasmhòr Flùraichean
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Translation
Flowers by Eilidh MacKay Flowers, They are so beautiful, Moving gently with the wind, Special, calm, elegant. Dandelion, So sweet and so beautiful, Like a delicious lollipop, The petals drifting away like the sound of the birds, Up, up into the blue sky. Bluebells, Blue and graceful, Heads like big heavy trumpets, A beautiful butterfly, hanging at rest, Bluebells. Daisies, As small as a mouse, White, yellow and green, Petals thin and slender, Covering the hills with a blanket of white, Daisies.
But when winter comes, They are hiding, But out come the beautiful snowdrops, White, fragrant, gracious. Flowers.
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| English Winner: |
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‘Song of the wildflowers’ by Jasmine King The pink in the grey The pink sun sets over the sea over the islands to the pink bay where the pink sea pinks lie. Don’t forget me. I am still there hidden behind the flowers my tiny petals in the breeze don’t forget me, forget me not. My spiky bush in winter purple hats for fairies, landscape covered in me purple sun sets on the hills. Scotland home to the heather hills. |
| Commendations for English entries included: |
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‘Bluebells’ by George Appleby (Lochinver)
| Bluebells oh bluebells |
| why don’t you ring? |
| What’s even more weird |
| you’re yellow inside! |
| You’re not in a meadow nor in a stream |
| you find the shadiest spots, like under a bush! |
| Why are your insides yellow and |
| why do you like the dark? |
‘Buttercups’ by Niall Macleod (Ullapool)
| Buttercups are yellow. |
| Daisys are white. |
| Where are the bees? |
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Its Daylight.
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| Poppies are red. |
| Bluebells are blue. |
| Where are the bees? |
| I only see you. |
‘The Field of Flowers’ by Ruby Everett (Halkirk)
| I am sitting in a field of wildflowers The bright blue sky And the sun on my back, Hearing the rustling of the little creatures below me, The clouds dancing in the sky so beautifully And the astonishing wildflowers grown by themselves, Hearing the bees buzzing makes me so happy Then I know wildlife is here and it will never disappear. |
‘Starry Stone Crop’ by Tara McEwan (Isle of Muck)
Petals reflect the stars every night
Like Joy mirrored through light
Each petal shimmers like weather of hope
appearing with warmth and great delight,
leaving on the wings of autumns wind
with insignificant fret.
Staring nestled among a rock
submerged with grass and foxgloves
but never overlooked
Roots and stems become the rockbound with greenery
Flourishing in a graveyard upon a rock in a wall
The starry stone crop rules it all
‘Dusky Meadow’ by Addie Simpkinson (Strontian)
| I ran across the meadow |
| the azure blue haze of the distant hills brightening the sunset. |
| Butterflies danced over the vibrant carpet of flowers. |
| A mist of pollen swarmed the soundless evening air. |
| The buttercups’ golden hue cast a faint glow |
| The iris’ frangrance carried on the wind |
| The wood anenomes hid in the underneath the trees |
| as if to protect themselves from the outside world |
| The grasshoppers chirped as dusk settles on |
| the almost perfect scenery |
| The butterflies finished their performance and |
| fluttered home. |
| Small animals crept through the undergrowth |
| Night has begun, the chorus of unseen creatures |
| echoed across the meadow. |
| In the dawn the flowers wll awaken |
| and the sun will warm the world again. |
The Foxglove by Mary Binnie (Acharacle)
| The foxglove, |
| Purple,strong and tall, |
| As strong as a giant, |
| As purple as a grape, |
| Beautiful trumpet like flowers |
| Stretch up tall to the sky. |
| The Foxglove, |
| A majestic flower, |
| Tower above the other flowers |
| Light purple, pink and white bells, |
| Providing for the bees and butterflies, |
| The Foxglove. |
Commendations for The Gaelic entries:
‘Dithien’ by Angus Urqhart (Gairloch)
‘Fuath-mhuc’ by Tamsin Patterson (Lochaber)
