Cushion Cover by Kay Matheson

This delicate cushion cover was embroidered with a Celtic knotwork design by Kay Matheson.   

Matheson (1928 – 2013) was a well-known Scottish nationalist and Gaelic language lobbyist, born on the shores of Loch Ewe to a crofting family. In particular, she was famed for her involvement in the recovery/liberation (sometimes called theft) of the Stone of Destiny from Westminster Abbey on Christmas Day, 1950, when she was aged 22.   

Following this event, Matheson returned to live with her mother and embarked on a teaching career. At Achtercairn School, where she made this cushion cover during the 1960s, she taught home economics, Gaelic, and physical education.   

During the 1980s, Matheson was also part of the Ceartas Campaign, in protest against the marginalisation of the Gaelic language. It was formed in response to the failure of parliament to pass a bill to grant Gaelic in Scotland the same status granted to the Welsh language in Wales.