I often dream of the day I might see a long dark dorsal fin cutting through Hebridean waters. The fin is hopefully that of John Coe (and his side kick Aquarius) - the remaining two of the Hebridean Orca pod.

My weaving is inspired by the Hebridean Orca pod, whose numbers are now down to the final two males - John Coe and Aquarius, both now well into their 50’s.

Lulu was a female orca of the pod, whose body was washed up on a beach of the Isle of Tiree in 2016. Her injuries were consistent with a rope wrapping around her tail and trailing behind her, probably still attached to something at the other end. This would have made normal swimming very difficult, and it is suspected that she had been entangled for several days.

After analysis it was found that Lulu’s body contained concentrations of PCBs at 950mg/kg, which is an incredibly high amount. Damage to marine mammal health is known to occur at just 9mg/kg, meaning that Lulu had over hundred times that threshold in her system. These levels of PCB most likely resulted in her never producing a calf, probably because pollutants in her blubber had caused infertility.

Weaving Details

• This weaving is made on a circular embroidery hoop

• The hoop has a 10 inch diameter

• Woll used - A mix of Scottish produced wool and acrylic wool

• Harris tweed

• Beachcombed driftwood

• 2 x limpet shells

A percentage of this sale will be donated to the Hebridean Whale and Dolpin Trust