John Mackie completed the recording to mark the completion of a major project, helping to design and build a wildlife and memorial garden at Spey Bay, which incorporates some of his poetry carved into wooden sculpture.

But it was a project which nearly killed him.

While working on it, Mr Mackie collapsed with a stroke.

And while he has had to give up wood carving since then, he has recovered enough to finish off some of the sanding, oiling and polishing work on the driftwood.

The new walled garden is in a courtyard next to the Spey Bay Wildlife Centre, at the mouth of the River Spey. It has been named the Harbour Garden.

The new CD is entitled 'Reflections From a Harbour Garden', and is both a celebration of the Moray coast in poetry and music, and a development from the work which Mr Mackie has been doing at Spey Bay since last August.

The project was commissioned by the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society, and the garden is in memory of departed loved ones.

Poet John Mackie beside the sculpture which carries his poetry carved on it, in the new Harbour Garden at the Spey Bay Wildlife Centre. On his cheek is a painted dolphin.

Mr Mackie told the Journal: "Thanks to many willing hands and generous donors and sponsors, the garden build is nearly complete.

"It is a beautiful space, ideal for quiet contemplation and reflection, and adds a new dimension to the Spey Bay experience. Public response thus far has been very favourable."

He added: "It is the longest project I have ever been involved in – and the most interesting.

"I still have some finishing and polishing of the carvings to do, but now seems the right time to produce the record.

"It features a brand-new piece, written in the Harbour Garden, alongside some previous work with a Speymouth theme, including some commissioned by the National Theatre of Scotland in 2007."

The CD, which includes two memorial tracks, will be on sale in the Wildlife Centre Shop and other retail outlets from Monday onwards, and can be ordered by e-mail at john@mackieallen.co.uk Half of all sales revenue will be donated to the centre's work, protecting and sustaining marine wildlife.

Mr Mackie appeared recently at the Coast Festival Fringe.

Printer friendly version

Email this article to a friend

Bookmark this

---