Painted Rocks Are Local Gems

rocks Lockdown, opening up, tier 2, tier 3, restrictions to face, guidelines to follow… one way we’ve stayed healthy, social and sane this year is by enjoying walks along the river and around the pathways of our community. How many of us have been cheered on our wanderings by the chance discovery of a brightly painted rock? They are to be found leaning on fence posts, nestled among tree roots, tucked into cracks in walls, and adorning window ledges. They are decorated with woodland creatures, birds, cheerful faces, cats, flowers and bright patterns.
Some carry uplifting messages: “Hope,” “Harmony,” “Be Kind” and seasonal sayings: “Boo!” and “Lest We Forget”. The trail of these little treasures leads back to Sarah van Goethem, a visual storyteller, who lives in the heart of Dunkeld with husband Guus and JoJo the cat.
During lockdown, Sarah decided to decorate river pebbles and leave them to be discovered around St. Ninian’s Gardens. She hoped they’d bring a moment of joy to the finders and that they'd either keep the stones or, better still, take them to new locations. It didn’t take long for Sarah’s painted stones to travel around Dunkeld and Birnam.
Molly McElligott of the Royal School of Dunkeld prompted Sarah to set up a Facebook page so that people could share photographs of their finds and post stories when stones travelled on to new hiding places.
Soon other local schoolchildren joined in decorating and hiding stones and Sarah got busy painting more for the children when they returned to school after lockdown.
She also painted special stones as gifts for people she’d heard were facing personal challenges. Some stones have since travelled quite far afield and you can learn about their journeys on the Dunkeld Rocks Group Facebook page. There are many beautiful photographs of Sarah’s creations on her Instagram: (@goethemsarahvan) which reveal that she started working early on a festive collection to hide around St. Ninian’s Gardens at Christmastime.
During lockdown, Sarah’s husband Guus made his own special gesture to lift the spirits of locals, playing his flute every evening in St. Ninian’s Gardens before promenading with JoJo the cat through the quiet streets of Dunkeld. When we look back at how we navigated these difficult months, we’ll remember front line heroes and volunteer squads, and we’ll also give thanks for the many quiet acts of generosity that brought us joy and raised a smile. There is an old Romanian saying: “River stones remain, while water flows away.” Sarah’s stones will remain in the hands and hearts of locals and visitors alike for years to come.
Fiona Ritchie
[Stone collectors! Sarah would welcome more smooth and light coloured pebbles to paint and invites other adults and children to join in spreading the good cheer. Find out more on Facebook @Dunkeld Rocks Group]

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