Flora Johnstone Gallery

A circular display of seashells on a scallop shell. Four larger mussel shells are arranged to touch in the middle and smaller shells are in between. Some of the shells are broken.

Flora's Shell work

Scallop shell decorated blue and green, ID number – A.2012.4.914

The selection of Flora Johnstone’s shell work you can see here are decorated tin lids and are part of the collection of Glasgow Museums, gifted by Joyce Lanig in 2012. See more at Glasgow Museums Collections Navigator website

The larger shells around the outside are topshells, probably either grey topshells (Steromphala cineraria) or flat topshells (Steromphala umbilicalis, also known as purple topshells). The shells in the centre are mainly flat periwinkles (Littorina obtusata), but there are a few rough periwinkles (Littorina saxatilis).

These shells are all very common on the coasts and beaches of South Uist.

Flora's Shell work

Tin lid decorated with six large clam shells and some smaller shells in the middle.
Tin lid decorated with six large clam shells, ID number – A.2012.4.905
Tin lid decorated with upturned seashells. Some orange algae/seaweed is shown on the shells.
Tin lid decorated with upturned seashells, ID number – A.2012.4.912
Tin lid decorated with assorted periwinkle shells
Tin lid decorated with assorted periwinkle shells, ID number – A.2012.4.902
A sea view of South Uist from Benbecula, with mountains in the background. The sky is blue with lots of white clouds. A small beach is in the foreground with a number of green grass like plants shown.

Island Inspiration

Looking to South Uist from Benbecula, the island's coasts provided inspiration for Flora.

Discover more of Flora's work
Butterfly art made by children at Balivanich Primary School. There are a number of butterflies and the words 'until you spread your wings you have no idea how far you can fly'. The butterflies are on a blue paper background with a yellow border and decorated with shells.

Art Inspiration

Butterfly art made by children at Balivanich Primary School inspired by Flora

Flora and South Uist

An old cottage with a thatched roof is in the foreground with a few white cottages in the background. A country road is shown and the image is from South Uist.
Flora's Cottage in South Uist
Flora is shown on the left wearing an overall and has grey hair and glasses. To the right are three adults and a younger child holding a dog. Everyone is smiling.
Flora with some of her grandchildren
A small harbour in South Uist. There are boats shown and blue harbour buildings. The sea beyond the harbour is shown and there is greenery in the foreground.
The Pier used by Flora at Loch Carnan