Margaret Tait Plaque

Was Margaret Tait a doctor, poet, or filmmaker? Here at the Margaret Tait Plaque in Kirkwall, we uncover the fascinating life of a woman who was all three. The Margaret Tait Plaque commemorates this remarkable Orcadian artist, born in Kirkwall on Armistice Day, 1918. This plaque isn’t just a piece of metal. It’s a portal to a life brimming with creativity, resilience, and a unique artistic vision. Margaret Tait’s journey began here in Kirkwall. She later attended boarding school in Edinburgh and studied medicine at the University of Edinburgh. During World War II, Tait served with the Royal Army Medical Corps, both at home and abroad. Imagine the experiences she gathered, the stories she witnessed. These experiences undoubtedly shaped the artist she would become. After the war, Tait’s path took an unexpected turn. Inspired by visits to France and Italy, she pursued her passion for filmmaking at the Centro Sperimentale di Cinematografia in Rome. This was a bold move for a woman in the 1950s, a testament to her independent spirit. Upon returning to Scotland, Tait established her own film studio, Ancona Films, on Rose Street in Edinburgh. She forged connections with the Rose Street Poets, a group that included literary giants like Hugh MacDiarmid, whom she later featured in one of her films. Tait’s artistic expression wasn’t confined to film. She published poetry and short stories, weaving words and images into a tapestry of creative thought. From 1951 to 1998, Tait produced over 30 short experimental films, often referred to as “film poems.” These films, many self-financed, captured the essence of everyday life, the beauty in the mundane. Her only feature film, “Blue Black Permanent,” made her Scotland’s first female feature filmmaker in 1992. The Margaret Tait Plaque reminds us of a woman who defied categorization. She was a doctor who healed bodies and a poet and filmmaker who healed souls. Her legacy lives on through her work, inspiring artists and reminding us of the power of observation, the beauty in simplicity, and the importance of staying true to one’s vision.