JOURNAL

A Grand Day Out

The Great Tapestry of Scotland


‘A compelling visual account of Scotland’s history, heritage and culture’

  14 – 20 High Street, Galashiels, TD1 1SD

  Drive time from Cringletie - 21 miles and 30 minutes

 www.greattapestryofscotland.com


The Great Tapestry of Scotland Gallery and Visitor Centre houses one of the world’s largest community arts projects and it is where the people's story of Scotland and creative journeys begins. 

Display Cabinets at the Tapestry of Scotland

The centre has been purpose built to house The Great Tapestry of Scotland, which was created and hand stitched by 1,000 people from across Scotland. The Tapestry tells a compelling visual account of Scotland’s history, heritage and culture from its formation to present day. 

It was the vision of one of the world’s best loved writers Alexander McCall-Smith, designed by artist Andrew Crummy and teams of stitchers around Scotland from a narrative written by the award-winning writer and historian Alistair Moffat. It is made up of 300 miles of wool (enough to lay the entire length of Scotland from the border with England to the tip of the Shetland in the North Atlantic).

The Tapestry displayed within the purpose built gallery

The stitchers are at the very heart of the Tapestry’s story. Reaching communities the length and breadth of Scotland, the making of The Great Tapestry of Scotland created a feeling of national pride. For many it also became a personal journey. Panels were transferred between stitchers through snowstorms and over rough seas. Some stitchers even met with and became friends with the living ancestors of individuals whose stories are told in the 160 panels.

There are hundreds of stories behind the creation of the Great Tapestry of Scotland – many of which you will discover at this compelling new national visitor attraction in Galashiels.

In addition to housing the Tapestry itself, the building houses a cafe, a gallery for visiting exhibits and a workshop space giving people an opportunity to meet, and learn from, the makers.

a young girl looking closely at the tapestry with a magnifying glass