Have you ever suffered a mental itch? An idea or theme you long to use creatively but can't find the right project? Well, the desire to write about the Scottish wildcat bubbled away in my mind for years, but I couldn’t find my way in. Should I incorporate a wildcat into a novel? Write a short story? Or shorter still, create a flash fiction piece? Nothing worked.
THE GREAT SCOTTISH CANVAS
Then I heard of The Great Scottish Canvas, a project launched by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) aiming to showcase people’s vision for a greener and fairer Scotland. The search was on for voices from across the country, expressed in both poetry and artwork.
Now, drawing isn’t my thing, and although I’ve dabbled with poetry, I could never describe myself as a poet. But I really wanted to write about the Scottish wildcat. So, I did what I would advise newbie writers against and bent the rules, just a tiny bit, by writing a piece of prose poetry, otherwise known as flash fiction. And ‘The Fight of the Wyld Cattis’ was born.
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| A Scottish wildcat, also known as a Highland Tiger... |
WHY THE SCOTTISH WILDCAT?
Wildcats of all shapes and sizes fascinate me – their beauty, their strength, along with often solitary, survival skills. It’s believed that Scotland’s wildcat, also affectionately known as the Highland Tiger, arrived just after the Ice Age, and thrived in Scotland’s secluded valleys and forests. But now, after centuries of being hunted, they are critically endangered. There are estimated to be between only 50 and 400 pure bred animals still surviving in the wild.
With water-proof fur allowing them to swim (unlike domestic cats, whose fur becomes waterlogged), and a fearsome reputation that means, per pound, it is regarded as the most vicious cat on the planet, the Highland Wildcat played a huge part in Scotland’s history, as a symbol of vigour and courage.
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| COP26 - to be held in Glasgow in November 2021 |
WHERE WILL THE GREAT SCOTTISH CANVAS BE SHOWCASED?
Given how passionately I feel about the need to protect the Scottish wildcat, imagine my delight when I received word that my piece was to be included in an online exhibition, which opens today, Saturday 18th September.
But there’s more... ‘The Fight of the Wyld Cattis’ is one of 45 pieces selected to be published in a Great Scottish Canvas Book, which WWF Scotland will bring to COP26 – the United Nations Climate Change Conference 2021. My love for the wildcat means my piece will sit alongside a poem from Alexander McCall Smith, as well as writing from former Makar, Jackie Kay.
Additionally, it will be exhibited at the Glasgow Science Centre during the month of October. I couldn’t be more thrilled.
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| The beautiful Scottish wildcat is critically endangered... |
WHAT HAVE I LEARNED?
But what has the project taught me? Firstly, to be patient and trust the muse will come when the time is right.
Secondly, I usually write creative fiction, but the piece I wanted to write for the Canvas veered into nature writing. Could I pull it off? I had no idea, but I was determined to do my research and give it a try. So, be bold, try new things – whatever your creative discipline. Who knows where it might lead.
Finally, I learned to follow my heart. In my case it was shining a spotlight on the plight of the Scottish wildcat. I’m thrilled my piece has been selected, but I’m far more delighted that one of Scotland’s most vulnerable animals has found a place in the Canvas.
So, have you worked on a passion project which stretched you creatively? And what did you learn?
To read ‘The Fight of the Wyld Cattis’ and see the other inspiring entries, as well as discovering more about The Great Scottish Canvas, just click on the link here... Enter The Great Scottish Canvas Gallery.
Happy reading!
Rae x
