Tinkers’ Heart tale in Holyrood exhibition

Campaign by writer Jess featured in Scottish stories

A campaign instigated by a Strath author features in a new exhibition recently unveiled in the Scottish Parliament.

Writer and poet Jess Smith, who lives in Glen Lednock, raised awareness of her campaign to protect the Tinkers’ Heart, a monument with particular significance to the Travelling community, through the Scottish Parliament’s Public Petitions Committee.

Because of her work to raise awareness of the monument’s importance, including taking the Committee to Argyll, Historic Environment Scotland recognised the historical importance of the monument in 2015.

Jess’s story is featured in the exhibition to reflect how the people of Scotland can engage with the Scottish Parliament. The exhibition also features other stories of people from across Scotland.

Jess commented: “It meant a great deal to me and the Travelling community to get recognition for the historical and ongoing importance of the Tinkers’ Heart, and of course the Scottish Parliament played a crucial role in the change coming about. I am really pleased to see this story on display in Holyrood.

“We can now look forward to future generations being able to visit the Tinkers’ Heart, and it being treated with the importance it merits.”

Ken Macintosh MSP, Presiding Officer of the Scottish Parliament, said: “The stories told in this new exhibition are wonderful examples of how people in Scotland can engage with their Parliament to make a real and very tangible difference.

“The Parliament is very grateful to Jess for agreeing to feature in our exhibition and I hope her story will inspire others to visit Holyrood, engage with their local MSPs or campaign on issues they feel passionate about.”