Tha Màthair Giuthais a’ sgrùdadh a’ chàirdeis earbsach eadar bhiastagan, ginealaichean Gàidhlig ri teachd (clann) agus siostaman àrainneachdail (a’ choille). Tha Màthair Giuthais mar charactar sìtheil tron fhilm, a’ conaltradh ri buidheann de charaidean; ‘na riochdairean bìodach’ a tha a’ rannsachadh bhiastagan sa choille. Tha iad a’ sgrìobhadh litrichean thuice, a’ cur an cèill na fhuair iad a-mach agus na dòchasan aca airson an t-saoghail anns an àm ri teachd. Tha Màthair Giuthais a’ freagairt tro thàladh. Suidhichte ann an seann choille Giuthais Airceig, tha an sgeulachd air a brosnachadh le rannsachadh bhon neach-saidheans Iain Strachan a chomharraich 946 gnè de bhiastagan an seo, agus tha e fhathast a’ cunntadh. Tha na ‘riochdairean bìodach’ luchd-labhairt na Gàidhlig às an sgìre, agus dèidheil air nàdar. Tha iad a’ sealltainn dhuinn dòigh-obrach chruthachail a thaobh a bhith a’ comharrachadh bhiastagan – tro chluich agus a’ cleachdadh am mac-meanmna. Aig an deireadh, tha aig na riochdairean bìodach ri dhol dhachaigh – a’ toirt leotha sealladh ùrachail air gnàth-shìde agus bith-iomadachd.

Màthair Giuthais, translated as ‘Mother Pine’ explores the codependent relationship between tiny things (insects), future Gaelic generations (children), and ecological systems (the forest). Mother Pine, a mythical presence throughout the film, communicates with a group of ‘tiny agents’ who are investigating invertebrates in the forest. They write her a letter, expressing their findings and hopes for the future, and she responds through a lullaby. Set within the ancient community-owned Arkaig pinewood Forest, the story is inspired by research from Ecologist Iain Strachan who identified 946 species of insects here and is still counting. The tiny agents, all nature enthusiasts and Gaelic speakers from the area, demonstrate an intuitive approach to insect identification – becoming the species through play and imagination. When the tiny agents realise it is time to go home, they rush back to reality – taking with them a refreshing point of view on ecology restoration.