Charity no: SC042543

FACTSHEET: GREAT TAPESTRY OF SCOTLAND

The Great Tapestry of Scotland took almost two years to create and was exhibited for the first time in September 2013. It was the brainchild of author Alexander McCall Smith and he was assisted by artist, Andrew Crummy, historian, Alistair Moffat and lead stitcher, Dorie Wilkie.

There are:

  • 160 panels in total
  • Measures 143 metres
  • 420 million years of history
  • Over 1000 stitchers
  • 300 miles of yarn used
  • 50,000 hours of stitching – equivalent to 24 hours a day for 6 years
  • Over 350,000 visitors

Other information

  • Inspiration came from the Prestonpans Tapestry which depicts the battle.
  • It has been exhibited in Edinburgh, Cockenzie, Ayr, Aberdeen, Inverness, Dundee, New Lanark, Kirckaldy,Stirling Castle and Paisley.
  • The Tapestry will move to its permanent home in Galashields in 2019 – a museum is being created for it.
  • In Kirckaldy, the Rosslyn Chapel panel was stolen from the wall. It has never been recovered but has now been resewn and will be on show in Alloa.
  • It is now the longest Tapestry in the world – longer than the Bayeux Tapestry in France which is 70 metres long -longer than the Diaspora Tapestry which is 90 metres long and longer than even the Kieskamma tapestry in the South Africa parliament which is 120 metres long.
  • Diapsora Tapestry was created for the Homecoming 2014 and has been produced by 25 communities across the world telling the story of Scots across the world. It will be exhibited in Crieff from 22nd July to 12th August 2017 – why not visit both!
  • 2017 is the Year of History, Heritage and Archaeology.
  • Needles and Gin – a local group of stitchersfrom Tillicoultry produced the Hillman Imp Tapestry no.143. It will be on permanently in the Lesser Hall.
  • Panels from Falkirk, Stirling and Perthshire will all be on view so please encourage peopleto come along.
  • Moves on next to Verdant Works, Dundee from August.

Alloa Exhibition – Speirs Centre

  • Sponsored by CTSI to provide a celebration of volunteering and encourage communities to get involved in the textile heritage of the area.
  • 29th May to 18th August 2017 in Speirs Centre, Alloa – 12 weeks in total. This is the longest exhibition of the Tapestry so let’s tell the world!
  • 137 panels will be on display in total
  • FREE to all visitors
  • Will be on display in two sections of the Speirs Centre – close upviewing in the Lesser Hall and also around the balcony within the library.
  • 70 metres will be on display in the Lesser Hall with 55 metres rotating half way through. Some panels will be in permanent display including the one produced locally.
  • 29th May to 10th July – more focus on the story of weaving and textile development linked to the Clacks area. This will be relevant to schools locally.
  • Creative Heritage Officer, Hannah Ford will work with schools and communities to introduce and celebrate the Tapestry through creative activities throughout the period.
  • Series of talks will be running through the 12 weeks for local people to learn more about the Tapestry and its stories, organised by Heritage Officer, Susan Mills.
  • List of panels on display and when is on the website at

Get involved – volunteer!

  • Looking for any volunteers from our communities to welcome people from around the world.
  • Encourage people who don’t usually get involved – you can volunteer from only a few hours upwards. That’s it – they don’t need to do any longer.
  • Clacks and beyond – happy for anyone to register
  • Supported by a staff team – plenty of encouragement and fun to be had.
  • Free T-shirt for all volunteers and other YHHA goodies.
  • Expenses can be paid if you are receiving benefits.
  • Need at least 3 volunteers a session – am/pm to help.
  • Saltire Award for young people under 25 years.
  • Contact Louise or Danielle on 01259 213840 or by email on

How can the Third Sector be involved?

  • Encourage volunteers!
  • Encourage visitors – the more people who come to view – the more donations are given and ALL donations, from the sponsorship panes to the last penny put in the giant ‘reel’ will be given back to local charities and community groups.
  • Tell children and schools to visit – it is FREE!!!
  • Take a poster, share on social media – get involved – we will all benefit from this one-off unique event. Share #DiscoverClacks
  • Celebrate our wonderful textile heritage.
  • Ask for a creative event to be held in your community – could you run a creative event – there is some funding for other events to be held?
  • Get in touch with Anthea Coulter or Hannah Ford to discuss further on 01259 213840.