Pages of the Sea

Site Producer - Culla Bay, Benbecula, Uist

On 11 November 2018, communities gathered on beaches across the UK to say goodbye and thank you, to the millions of men and women who left their shores during the war, many never to return. On selected beaches around the UK, over the course of several hours, a portrait of an individual from the First World War emerged from the sand. And then, as the tide rose, was washed away as we took a moment to say a collective goodbye.

Poet Carol Ann Duffy wrote a poem especially for Pages of the Sea, to be read by individuals, families and communities on the day. Individuals would also create artwork in the sand using stencils of portraits at the beaches.