Making the Great Tapestry of Scotland Exhibition at New Lanark

Okay, I’ll start with a confession. The InsiderScotland team love the UNESCO World Heritage site at New Lanark and never need an excuse to visit. This spring, through, there is an ace new reason to head to this glorious historic escape, an oasis where history and nature merge.

Hands up if you were lucky enough to see The Great Tapestry of Scotland when it toured the country back in 2014? We were. This year – from 18 May through to 1 July – it’s returning as part of New Lanark’s ‘Making of the Great Tapestry of Scotland’ exhibition, and we can’t wait.

What is the Great Tapestry of Scotland?

The brainchild of Edinburgh-based author, Alexander McCall Smith (famed for the likes of 44 Scotland Street), it is a textile masterpiece that depicts 420 million years of Scottish history. Although that in itself is no mean feat, the following statistics will really give you an idea of the scale of this unique artistic project:

• Measuring 143 metres it is the world’s longest tapestry, and is made up of 160 panels.
• The tapestry used a whopping 300 miles of wool. As the crow flies that’s just short of the distance between Edinburgh and London!
• It took 65,000 hours to stitch. That’s equivalent to almost seven and a half years.

Alexander McCall Smith, as you might expect, needed help to realise his creative vision; with award-winning writer and historian Alistair Moffat and designer and artist Andrew Crummy also collaborating on the project. With more than a 1,000 people from around Scotland volunteering to stitch the tapestry, it is one of Scotland’s biggest ever community arts projects.

Why are we so excited about the Making of the Great Tapestry of Scotland exhibition?

The ‘making of’ exhibition will give visitors a chance to delve into the fascinating story behind the tapestry’s creation. With this exciting project brought back to life through displays that include Andrew Cummy’s sketchbooks –  lever arch files brimming with his designs and stunning historical illustrations. Colour swatches, storyboards, photographs and other memorabilia, alongside and panels from the tapestry itself, also offer a fascinating behind the scenes insight. Highlights include practice pieces, which helped Head Stitcher (Dorie Wilkie) decide which techniques to use on the tapestry linen. Then there are stitchers’ diaries – hearing about their daily lives really puts all the hard work of this huge band of volunteers into perspective.

Why is New Lanark World Heritage Site such a fitting venue for the exhibition?

Not only was the new Making of the Great Tapestry of Scotland curated by New Lanark’s own Exhibitions Officer, Evelyn Whitelaw, but the 18th-century mills have a history that is inextricably linked with textile production.

Exhibition visitors can also tour this striking UNESCO World Heritage Site, which has long been held up as an example of how the seemingly disparate goals of philanthropy and industrial production can be brought together. They can trace the village’s history from its humble origins through to its one-time role as the biggest producer of cotton in Scotland, before learning more about its current position as a place of both immense cultural and historical significance. It is a place where high-quality British woollen yarn is still manufactured using traditional machinery and methods. The wool comes in 60 shades and three different weights (Aran, Chunky and Double Knitting). New Lanark Mills even brought the world its first organic Tartan back in 2015.

Make a Day of it at New Lanark World Heritage Site

Once you’ve visited the exhibition you can explore New Lanark’s fascinating history through its Georgian buildings – these include a school, church, mill workers housing, the mills and other industrial buildings Take time too to appreciate the village’s stunning natural setting and enjoy a woodland walk in the falls of Clyde Wildlife Reserve. Tempting treats, meanwhile, await in the Mill Café. We told you it was an oasis where history and nature combine in one glorious tapestry.

Get Involved

New Lanark are looking for volunteer Exhibition Stewards to assist with the smooth daily running of the tapestry exhibition. To find out more email Volunteer Coordinator Paige.Hughes@newlanark.org or call her on 01555 661345.

Further Information and Tickets

Exhibition Opening Hours
18th May – 1st July 2018
10am – 5pm daily
Adults £5; concessions £4; child (11-15) £3; under 10s (free); and family (2 adults plus 2-3 children (11-15) £13.
www.newlanark.org/visitorcentre/making-great-tapestry.shtml

Tickets and Discounts
Book online at https://newlanark.digitickets.co.uk/category/11564
Book before 31st May using code ‘earlybird’ to receive £1.50 off individual tickets.

It’s the ‘Year of Young People’ so New Lanark are offering a discount to YoungScot card holders! https://young.scot/discounts/new-lanark-world-heritage-site/up-to-30-off-tickets/

Linked activities and workshops
These will run alongside the exhibition, including an ‘Exhibition Sensory Trail’, Storytelling & Craft Workshops for families and ‘Dementia Friendly’ Tours. Keep an eye on the New Lanark website for more details. www.newlanark.org

*This blog comes in association with the New Lanark Trust

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