“Gaelic Poetry of Nature” is a research project that will take place in the North of Scotland where Scottish Gaelic is the spoken language. The project will be looking into the way the language is used more specifically in poetry and songwriting with a focus on the presence of nature. Zoé Kendall will examine the oral histories and narratives of nature and land ethics. The stories are linked to nature preservation, reforestation, particularly ecosystems of peat bogs, salt marshes and their connection to identity and language.
The goal is to transcribe knowledge of the land through stories and language. The book contains transcriptions of lectures by foresters, artists and farmers that bring to light the debates and discussions currently taking place around the country. The aim is to show the dialogue that takes place across nature, land, visual art, the written word, community and identity. The project also questions approaches to nature conservation and approaches to art and asks further questions about the preservation (in the broadest sense of the word) as well as ideas for preserving the land. And finally, Zoé Kendall will look at the adaptation and innovation of the Gaelic language, the values and knowledge the language carries. A special focus is placed on the nuanced language used to describe nature. With the country's ecological, ethical and aesthetic concepts all brought together in one visual book, artists can hopefully use the information and implement the knowledge in their works or generally incorporate into their practice.