Initiated by author Alexander McCall Smith, artist Andrew Crummy and historian Alistair Moffat, The Great Tapestry of Scotland is one of the biggest community art projects ever undertaken and the largest embroidered tapestry in the world.
Translated for stitch by Dorie Wilkie and taking more than 1,000 talented volunteers more than 55,000 hours to complete using 300 miles of woollen yarn, The Great Tapestry of Scotland shows the rich and colourful depiction of Scottish history from the Ice Age to modern times.
While much has been written about the tapestry, those who have already been lucky enough to see it will tell you nothing replaces the feeling of seeing it with your own eyes. It’s vast, with 160 panels depicting Scotland’s fascinating story over the centuries. Some are inspiring, some will bring tears to your eyes and others will make you smile.
They capture unique moments in history including significant battles such as Bannockburn and Flodden, influential Scottish innovator James Watt with his steam engine and the devastation caused by the Clydebank Blitz in World War II.
As well as exploring well-known points of Scottish history, the tapestries also cover many aspects of popular culture and local histories ranging from Rabbie Burns to football, pop music and the movies.
Scotland’s Jute Museum @ Verdant Works in Dundee is currently showcasing a selection of these panels in the recently restored High Mill with 84 carefully chosen stunning tapestries which highlight Scotland’s diverse heritage and its proud industrial and working history.
Selected panels also represent the history of the local area – Dundee, Fife, Angus and Perthshire – as well as those produced by local stitching groups.
The impressive tapestry is being displayed in equally impressive surrounds, the 1833 High Mill Gallery @ Verdant Works. This three-storey-height space reveals the monumental scale of mill architecture and will be a perfect temporary home for such a fantastic exhibition.
To date, more than 250,000 people have viewed the tapestry, which has previously been on display in Aberdeen and Inverness. This will be the last chance people have to see the tapestry on tour before the opening of its permanent home in Tweedbank in 2017.
WHAT: The Great Tapestry of Scotland
WHERE: Scotland’s Jute Museum @ Verdant Works, West Henderson’s Wynd, Dundee
WHEN: The tapestry can be seen until May 1. The museum is open Monday-Saturday, 10am-6pm and 11am-6pm on Sundays
COST: Admission included with price of museum entry which is adults £9, £7 concessions, £5.50 children
CONTACT: 01382 309060 or visit www.verdantworks.com
