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A place for grief and belief: The Witness Cairn, Isle of Whithorn, Galloway, Scotland

Maddrell, Avril

Authors

Avril Maddrell



Abstract

This paper draws on a case study of the Witness Cairn, at the Isle of Whithorn, Galloway, Scotland, to explore the relationship between bereavement practices and expressions of belief manifest in this particular place. The cairn is embedded in historic and contemporary Christian faith practices in the locality, and has combined with its form, naming and process of construction, to create a space of remembrance and, potentially, of transformation. Using the concept of liminality, it is argued that the individualised micromemorials found at the Witness Cairn offer insight to a continuum of belief-unbelief and the blurring of the divide between practising faith-adherents and non-adherents in British society. © 2009 Taylor & Francis.

Citation

Maddrell, A. (2009). A place for grief and belief: The Witness Cairn, Isle of Whithorn, Galloway, Scotland. Social and Cultural Geography, 10(6), 674-693. https://doi.org/10.1080/14649360903068126

Journal Article Type Article
Publication Date Sep 1, 2009
Journal Social and Cultural Geography
Print ISSN 1464-9365
Electronic ISSN 1470-1197
Publisher Taylor & Francis (Routledge)
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 10
Issue 6
Pages 674-693
DOI https://doi.org/10.1080/14649360903068126
Keywords grief, belief, micro-memorial, sacred, cairn, positionality
Public URL https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/1004125
Publisher URL http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/14649360903068126
Additional Information Additional Information : Special themed issue: Geography, Religion, and Emerging Paradigms: Problematizing the Dialogue


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