VIDEO: Tapestry of Scottish history on show in Dundee
Great tapestry of Scotland comes to High Mill Gallery at Verdant Works
A piece of Scottish history is on display in Dundee over the next couple of months.
Parts of the Great tapestry of Scotland are on view at the new High Mill Gallery at Verdant Works in the city.
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 over 1,000 talented volunteers more than 55,000 hours to complete using 300 miles of woollen yarn, this piece shows the rich and colourful depiction of Scottish history from the Ice Age to modern times.
The entire Tapestry is vast, consisting of 160 panels and running more than 140 metres in length. The gallery have selected 84 of these panels to exhibit highlighting Scotland’s diverse heritage and, in particular, its proud industrial and working history. These tapestries 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 the Second World War. As well as exploring many aspects of popular culture and local histories ranging from Rabbie Burns to football, pop music and the movies.
We have also selected panels which represent the history of the local area - Dundee, Fife, Angus and Perthshire as well as featuring all the panels produced by local stitching groups.
Louisa Attaheri, Curator for Dundee Heritage Trust says ‘We are delighted to be exhibiting the Great Tapestry of Scotland here at Verdant Works. Our new High Mill Gallery is the perfect backdrop to showcase these beautiful tapestries, which are an extraordinary celebration of Scotland’s past. This exhibition is particularly special as it will be the last time it is on public display until the opening of its permanent home in the Borders in 2017’.