‘Dùthchas is a millennia-old Gaelic concept derived from the word ‘‘dùth”, meaning “earth” or “land”. Dùthchas stresses the interconnectedness of people, land, culture and an ecological balance among all entities, human and more than human” (Meighan 2022)
Dùthchas is a collection of paintings and drawings I made over two years of visits to Dùthaich Mhic Aoidh / Mackay Country, Sutherland and Wester Ross. I followed the route of my Mackay ancestors as they gradually migrated south, exploring themes of belonging, cultural loss and connection with the landscape.
The collection of work was shown at Gairloch Museum over May and June 2026.
In this short film I explain how the sketchbooks I carried back and forth across the Pentland Firth sustained my link with the places I visited.
Lesley Mackay Art 