Great Tapestry of Scotland

Discover the Scottish writers immortalised in an impressive arts project

Celebrated Scottish author, Alexander McCall Smith, had a vision to bring the story of Scotland to life through the medium of tapestry. The result is the Great Tapestry of Scotland: an impressive community arts project in the heart of Galashiels featuring 160 stitched panels – and 420 million years of history.

Over 1000 stitchers from across the nation came together to create the stories on display. And among those immortalised in fabric and thread are some of Scotland’s greatest writers: Robert Burns, Sir Walter Scott and prolific letter writer, Mary, Queen of Scots.

Scott’s panel features the grand turrets of the writer’s beloved Abbotsford, along with the iconic view of the Eildon hills and majestic River Tweed that he admired so dearly. Look closely at the panel and you will spot a reference to ‘Sheriff of Selkirk’ – a role that he held in the neighbouring town for almost 30 years.

Other panels celebrating Robert Burns and Scottish poet, Hugh MacDiarmid (born just 40 miles from the tapestry in the Border town of Langholm) are a nod to the strong literary heritage of the country. Even Dennis the Menace makes a hero’s appearance! But there are, of course, hundreds of lesser-known characters and stories to discover within the museum’s written and stitched narratives.

Just a stone’s throw from the Great Tapestry, on Bank Close, lies another large-scale art project with a literary theme: a black and white mural depicting Sir Walter Scott. He was a friend and regular around the town and a plaque commemorating his visit to the building opposite still stands today.

A visit to the Sir Walter Scott Courtroom in Selkirk – plus a short detour from the tapestry to see a statue of the writer proudly overlooking the village of Clovenfords where he often stayed – would neatly round off a tour of local Scott landmarks.

Further info

When Galashiels weaver and sweet-seller, Robert Coltart, penned the song Coulter’s Candy in the early 19th century, he could never have imagined the impact it would have. This gentle lullaby is now sung to babies the world over – and a statue commemorating Coltart, complete with ‘big lum hat’ can now be enjoyed in the town’s Market Square.

Image credits: Great Tapestry of Scotland