Here’s an early glimpse of what promises to be a very beautiful – and very long – tapestry depicting the history of Scotland. Writer Alexander McCall Smith, whose idea this was, is working with historian Alistair Moffat and artist Andrew Crummy as well as stitchers from all over Scotland to produce The Great Tapestry of Scotland. It will be world’s longest tapestry and one of the biggest community arts projects ever to take place in Scotland.
The aim is to create more than 150 panels that tell key stories from Duns Scotus to Glasgow Rangers, all interwoven with individual tales of place and family. The project began in early 2012 and by its end later this year, 50000 sewing hours will have seen 49000 metres of yarn worked into cloth by over 300 volunteer embroiderers.
Alistair Moffat says he has steered clear of defining Scotland as a series of battles, mnay of them with Scotland on the losing side, or of depicting the work of the nameless workers who toiled on the land and in the cities as a backdrop for aristocratic processions. ‘While some pivotal set pieces insist on inclusion, such as Bannockburn and Culloden, other episodes of our hidden history rightly claim a place. Most important have been our efforts to make a tapestry that distils Scotland’s unique sense of herself.’
When the tapestry is finished it will be gifted to the people of Scotland, going on show in the Scottish Parliament in August of this year and then travelling to various locations to be seen by as many people as possible.
Alexander McCall Smith says, ‘A great project is about to be launched. I believe it will bring happiness and delight to many people.’
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