File:"The Listening Place", South Lochboisdale - geograph.org.uk - 1358784.jpg

English: "The Listening Place", South Lochboisdale. This is one of several artworks in the Western Isles which come under the wing of the "Road Ends" project, the inceptive idea of which was to attract visitors to areas which they would not usually frequent. 'The Listening Place' is the work of Valerie Pragnell, celebrating the history of poetry and agriculture in the area. It is on the site of the old village school, next to the burn which separates South Lochboisdale and North Glendale. The verses which are inscribed in stone were chosen by members of the community - they are from poems by Donald MacDonald from South Lochboisdale, and Donald J MacDonald of Peninerine (near Stoneybridge, farther up the west coast of South Uist). (This is an historic stronghold of Clan Ranald - there are many links to the MacDonald family, of which Flora is perhaps the most popularly-known, for her loyal daring in assisting Bonnie Prince Charlie.) Within the wall of the work are five cast-iron replica tractor-seats, see 1358794, which give the opportunity to sit and reflect on the history and poetry of the area - and simply, to listen.