Hillside portrait to celebrate famed poet

A 175 metre portrait of Blairgowrie poet Hamish Henderson will be erected on a Perthshire hillside to commemorate 100 years since his birth.

The giant artwork, around the size of two football pitches, will be created on the side of Ben Gulabin at the Spittal of Glenshee using jute.

The portrait has been designed by artist Martin Guinness as part of the Hamish Matters festival which is celebrating the legacy of the folk legend during the centenary year of his birth.

Its unveiling will also mark the launch of the new Cateran Ecomuseum in Highland Perthshire.

The programme for the Hamish Matters Festival will include an array of events featuring poetry, songs and talks with the writer’s friends and people who have been inspired by his work.

The festival will run from November 1-11. On the final day the two surviving members of the party that scattered Henderson’s ashes at the top of Ben Gulabin will scale the hillside once more to unveil his portrait.

Jim Mackintosh, a modern day Perthshire poet who has helped set up the Hamish Matters festival, said the 10-day celebration at venues in Blairgowrie and Rattray would have something for everyone.

Jim said: “The programme covers not just the festival but everything that’s going on to celebrate the life and legend of one of Perthshire’s most famous sons.”

To book tickets for events or to see the full programme for Hamish Matters visit www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/apeoples-ceilidh-part-of-thehamish-matters-festival-2018tickets-51138379269