For the love of (Isobel's) hand writing

Louisa May Alcott, author of Little Women, said, “preserve your memories, keep them well, what you forget you can never retell.”

Isobel translated her great friend, the explorer Knud Rasmussen's book, 'The Eagle's Gift' Folk Tales of Alaska

The reason we know so much about Isobel Wylie Hutchison, her thoughts and her incredible experiences and journeys across the Arctic, is her love of writing. Isobel was not only an avid diary keeper, but she also loved writing letters and postcards to family and friends, penning a poem, writing her own botanical references and notes for her many articles for the National Geographic.

Isobel's writing, keeping a record of receipt of her rose in 1927 (Stored at the RBGE Archives)

Putting pen to paper was a form of therapy for Isobel and the permanence of publishing her thoughts was also a way of challenging the society she lived in.

In today’s digital age, the act of writing by hand with a pen or pencil may seem like a practice on the brink of extinction. We’ve transitioned from quills to keyboards, all in the name of progress and efficiency. Yet, in the midst of our hurried digital lives, there’s an age-old truth that remains unchanged: writing with hands and pen is not just good for the soul, but also for our hands and overall wellbeing. It’s simple yet profound act that connects us with our inner selves, the tangible world, and the intricate art of writing.

Whether it was her early access to teaching or her innate curiosity that drove Isobel, there’s no doubt that her achievements would have been diluted, downplayed or at worst forgotten, had she not had the ability to share her first-hand accounts on paper. Her tales are all the richer and more meaningful because they’re in her own words and though she went on to be an accomplished photographer, film maker and botanist, it’s her written work that has captured the imagination of generations since.

Isobel's precious Field Club Flora of the Lothians, noting a detail where she found the botanical

Writing by hand is an intimate dance between the mind and body, each word imprinted on the page a testament to our unique personality and expression. The act of writing with our hands allows us to breathe life into our thoughts and stories in a way that no keyboard or touchscreen can replicate.

A wonderful poetical inscription on Isobel's book to a friend. Referring to herself as "Tuluk" a nickname she was very proud to be given by the Inuit community.

Isobel wrote all her letters and inscriptions within her books with a fountain pen and ink. Isobel would craft a personal message for each individual with beautiful calligraphy, fostering a connection that resonates with us even today.

Isobel also wrote and sent postcards when she could. A cherished tradition epitomises the personal touch of handwritten communication. It’s an art of distilling our experiences, emotion and stories into a small canvas. Postcards are tokens of connection, offering a tangible piece of ourselves to loved ones, whether they are just around the corner or across the globe.

A postcard written by Isobel from Rome and sent to a friend in Edinburgh

The physical act of writing can become a spiritual practice, the hands, once restless in a digital whirlwind, discover a sense of purpose and beckon us to slow down and savour the process, and to rediscover the power of the written word. And for Isobel, during her time, it was also a brave act as it was an almost entirely masculine activity. Isobel went on to write six books of poetry and seven more on her travels, alongside countless magazine articles. No publishing platform, no laptop, just dedication and self-belief.