"The magic began when the first stitch was placed on the first panel" - Alexander McCall Smith

Were you shown pictures of the Bayeux Tapestry at school when you were learning about the 1066 Battle of Hastings?  Was the 'arrow in eye' scene about the death of King Harold II your favourite bit? The Bayeux Tapestry is displayed at the Musee de la Tapisserie de Bayeux in Bayeux, Normandy, France.  It may also be seen online.

The Great tapestry of Scotland is one of the world's most remarkable pieces of modern textile works of art, and in 2021 it went on display in its permanent home in a purpose built visitor centre in Galashiels, in the Scottish Borders.  Its 160 panels, each of which is approximately 1 metre (3ft 3in) square, make it the longest tapestry in the world and it tells the story of Scotland from the end of the last Ice Age to the 21st century.

The tapestry was the brainchild of the author Alexander McCall Smith, who was inspired by the Prestonpans Tapestry, and the subject matter for the panels was selected by the historian Alastair Moffat.  The designs were then drawn by artist Andrew Crummy and hundreds of stitchers around Scotland brought the stories to life under supervision by Dorie Wilkie, Stitch Co-ordinator. Stitchers in Blairgowrie and Rattray were involved in four of the panels:

Panel 29:  William Wallace and Andrew Moray

Panel 69:  The Tobacco Lords

Panel 91:  Queen Victoria at Balmoral

Panel 125: The General Strike 1926

The tapestry first went on show in the Scottish Parliament building in Edinburgh in 2013 and from then on it was on display at various venues around Scotland including Verdant Works in Dundee in 2016.

Are today's school children being shown the Great Tapestry of Scotland during their Scottish history lessons?

For more information visit

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bayeux_Tapestry

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prestonpans_Tapestry

https://www.greattapestryofscotland.com

https://www.liveborders.org.uk/the-great-tapestry-of-Scotland/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Tapestry_of_Scotland