The Lost Words

Discover The Lost Words, an enchanting exhibition featuring original artwork by artist Jackie Morris and spell-poems by writer Robert Macfarlane – from their best-selling book of the same name.

About The Lost Words

	28th Jun 2025 to 26th Oct 2025
	Open daily - see event website for times
	Dunfermline
	This is a free event
	Event organiser/part of Dunfermline Carnegie Library and Galleries
	Visit the event website here

Listed Under Exhibitions Events / Arts and Crafts Events

Published in 2017, The Lost Words has been described as a ‘cultural phenomenon’. It has inspired school children across Britain, won numerous prizes, and taken root as an instant classic.

The Lost Words was created as a response to Macfarlane and Morris’s belief that nature is in retreat from our children’s stories and imaginations. A survey of British primary school children found 8-11 year-olds were “substantially better” able to identify types of Pokemon character than species of common UK wildlife.

The exhibition features 17 of Robert’s spell-poems – one for each lost word – while Jackie has painted more than 50 beautiful watercolours – using gold leaf to take the viewer on a journey that makes the familiar appear magical once more. As Jackie says, “I want The Lost Words to delight the mind and the eye and send children to sleep dreaming of wild things.”

Inspiring and enthralling for all ages, there’s also lots for little ones to do – from crafts and dressing up as native birds and beasts to enjoying the cosy reading corner.

Keep checking back to find out about our programme of events to compliment The Lost Words. 

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