Millions of stitches into linen, painstakingly sewn by over a thousand stitchers, have created a fascinating series of panels that together have been named The Great Tapestry of Scotland. Charting key events in Scotland’s history from the creation of the land through to the opening of the Scottish Parliament in 1999, this is a breath-taking and quirky romp through millennia.
We went to see the tapestry at Cockenzie House, a 17th century house, now owned by a charitable trust run by local people. The coffee and cakes in the tea room lived up to the excellence of the exhibition, ensuring we’ll return for other events.
The Great Tapestry project was instigated by author Alexander McCall Smith with designs and artwork for the panels undertaken by artist Andrew Crummy. We attended the launch of the project at the Borders Book Festival in June 2011 Now the panels — over 160 of them — are hung in Cockenzie House in East Lothian for everyone to see. And judging by the number of people there the day my husband and I attended, commenting on the events covered, the design of panels, and peering at the stitches used whilst reminiscences bubbled in their minds, large numbers will flock to admire the work that has gone into the stitching.
Like others, I wanted to view the panels as a whole, then linger to enjoy many of the details. With vibrant colours, skilful stitches had captured shape, tone, feel, touch and smell of the subject matter, and I’m sure when standing in front of some I could smell the brine of the sea, the gunpowder of battle, the scent of flowers and pomanders, the fragrance of joy, the odour of grief, a whiff of duplicity and the reek of hypocrisy as well as a not insignificant perfume of pride at what many Scots had achieved both individually and collectively, and what each stitcher had achieved in bringing all this together in a wonderful illustrated story.
Over 1000 stitchers from Shetland in the far north to the Borders in the south worked together to create the world’s longest embroidered tapestry, taking over 60,000 hours of work and using over 300 miles of woollen yarn.
As Alexander McCall Smith commented —
‘Now we have it: a record of our history, designed by an artist whose eye has captured the essence of Scotland, and stitched with love by hundreds of people throughout the land. They invite you to look at this and celebrate our country.
Welcome.’
What a wonderful treasure! Makes me want to pull out some of my unfinished projects.
I was bowled over by this. It’s a great project for a group of stitchers as it sort of personalises history with their own take on it.
Wow!
That’s what I thought when I saw the exhibition. Glad you agree.
Beautiful! We have a Great Trapestry created by South African women hanging in Cape Town – also depicting our history. It is interesting to see the difference in style that emerges out of the same technique across continents.
I expect that will be in a very different style. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if there could be swaps so that we could see what other groups in other countries have produced.
That would be amazing. There are also some really intersting projects in our area – centres for local women who have managed to make a mark on the international market with their work – no mean feat!
As usual, your blog this time totally excites me to want to go to Scotland!!!
How lovely. Hope you make it some day — there’s lots of exciting stuff happening in 2014 with the Commonwealth Games etc. Hope you have a wonderful Christmas.
Truly magnificent! A labor of love – plenty of love.
Yes, everyone who worked on the project deserves a prolonged round of applause. Hopefully a permanent home can be found for the panels so that people can continue to visit and enjoy the work.
Beautiful!!
Thank you. Hope you have a wonderful 2014 and continue to keep us amused by your stories and fabulous illustrations.
thanks for the update
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