26/10/21
Making a Difference: Stitching the Great Tapestry of Scotland
One of the world’s longest tapestries, and certainly the largest-ever community arts project, has now, following a two-year tour around Scotland, arrived in its purpose-built, permanent new home in Galashiels in the heartland of the Scottish Borders. The project, known as The Great Tapestry of Scotland, was the brainchild of writer Alexander McCall Smith, who was inspired by a visit to the Prestonpans Tapestry in East Lothian.
Designed by the same artist, Andrew Crummy, this new feat is the work of more than 1,000 stitchers from communities across the country and comprises 160 linen panels and more than 300 miles of wool (enough to lay the entire length of Scotland, from its border with England to the tip of Shetland). At 143 metres long and one metre high, it required an incredible 50,000 hours of stitching to complete.
Read the full feature here