Object 003 - N.005: A Murder
This is part of a series as I document the life of a dress worn and lived in, in one real life, in the Highlands of Scotland. Object 003: Highland Mess Dress
When I was younger I never really grasped that cities just merge into other cities and suburbs in a lot of places. Inverness was a town/city surrounded by the countryside and to get to another city it was hours in the car through the wilderness.
It wasn't until I lived in New York at 19 years old that I realised some cities are just a case of where one council ends and another begins, but otherwise there's no big wilderness gap. Even now in the central belt it is suburbs and towns pretty consistently between Glasgow and Edinburgh. I enjoyed living down there for the time I did but nothing really beats that feeling of home, in Inverness, where I can cycle to everything I need, but be just a short trip from the hills.
Today I was driving my kid out to a friend's house and on the way back stopped at the electrical sub station (I think?) on the Farr road. If you live here, you know the one. Often a good spot as a teen to drive up and "look at the view" with a crush.
There were quite a few crows around, but the one on the fence seemed like he had a position of power. He kept calling as more and more crows arrived.
I stopped here to add something to the Mess Dress, as this is a common spot to head to if I'm trying to catch the Northern Lights. But it was making me a bit on edge the way they kept calling and gathering, and the big guy was giving me a dirty look, I swear!
I saw some meadow vetchling growing next to a pile of discarded McDonald's containers and bottles of wine, so I rubbed a flower into my dress.
At least pick up your rubbish, guys 🙄
Then I crossed over to pick some haws. Hawthorn bushes were traditionally used for hedgerows here and there are tons around. I think you can make Hawthorn jelly but I've not had the patience. They can be prickly wee bastards.
Then as I was mashing the berry into my dress, a million crows came to land in the field next to me.
We used to have lots of crows next to my house growing up, I quite like them but I was still mildly worried there was a plot to kill me so I headed back into town 😂
I love the colour it left.
My dog gave it a good sniff when I came home and laid it out to dry.
I'm hoping she doesn't try to eat any of it.