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Scotland reveals new national visitor attraction opening in 2021 for the globally acclaimed Great Tapestry of Scotland

A new visitor attraction housing the globally acclaimed Great Tapestry of Scotland will open in spring 2021 in Scotland's premier textile region, the Scottish Borders. The £6.7 million purpose built facility and interactive exhibition space will bring the best of Scotland's world renowned storytelling to life through the Tapestry's wonderful textile artistry and a range of other significant visiting exhibits.

The vision of one of the world's most prolific and best-loved authors Alexander McCall Smith, designed by historian Alistair Moffat and artist Andrew Crummy, and championed by a team of 1,000 women from across Scotland, the Great Tapestry of Scotland tells the inspirational true story of the country's history, heritage and culture (from 8500 BC to present day). It is made up of 160 panels and 300 miles of wool (enough to lay the entire length of Scotland from the Border with England to the tip of the Shetland in the North Atlantic) - making it one of the largest tapestries ever created.

The Tapestry is truly the work of the Scottish people, as it was handstitched by thousands of women, men and children (age four to 92) in communities across Scotland and transported by land, sea and air to come together in the town of Galashiels, recently voted the happiest place to live in Scotland. It previously toured Scotland to great acclaim from visitors from every corner of the globe.

The new visitor attraction will be led by newly appointed Great Tapestry of Scotland Centre Director, entrepreneur Sandy Maxwell-Forbes. Sandy is part of Live Borders, a charity managing cultural and leisure attractions across the Scottish Borders and operators of this major addition to the Scottish tourism sector. Live Borders is working in partnership with Scottish Borders Council and the Tapestry Trustees to bring this new attraction to fruition.

Speaking on her appointment, Sandy Maxwell-Forbes, Great Tapestry of Scotland Centre Director said: “I'm absolutely delighted to be involved one of the most significant developments for Scottish tourism, heritage and culture in recent years.

“The Great Tapestry of Scotland is a phenomenal achievement - I was a great fan long before I was appointed. Through the intricate and detailed textile artistry by the creative talents of the army of 1,000 stitchers from across Scotland, this truly is the people's story of Scotland and a triumph of creativity, skill, community and passion. Through the amazing visual story-telling from 8500BC to present day, it makes Scotland's culture, history and heritage accessible to everyone.”

“We frequently hear from those, who like me, have previously seen the Tapestry and long to come back and see it again, so we are delighted that we will be making it possible with our new permanent interactive space. I have also already started some exciting talks about potential visiting exhibits that will be displayed in the centre, and hope to reveal more about these in 2020.”

One of the Tapestry Trustees, historian Alistair Moffat added: "When I first saw all 160 panels of the tapestry hung together, I was stunned by its immense power as a work of art, its rich colours and narrative drive. I wept at its sheer beauty and majestic telling of the history of our beloved country. The Tapestry is a story told with love – and that is what gives it such power.

“It is also a story told by 1,000 women whose passion dedication and clever hands made this story so detailed, textured. With the tapestry, women created a new history of our country, very different from the stories previously told by men about men.  That is what makes it more than appropriate that the Great Tapestry of Scotland should find its permanent home in Galashiels in the Scottish Borders, the home of our textile industries. It was at the clever hands of women that made the looms in the area rattle and clack.

“Galashiels and the Scottish Borders may also be seen as a gateway to Scotland, and as such, what could be more welcoming than this beautifully told story of our country that sings with passion and pride?”

The new Great Tapestry of Scotland building, which is currently being constructed by Scottish contractor Ogilvie Constriction, has been designed by one of Scotland's leading architectural practices, PagePark. The contractors will also repurpose the adjacent former Post Office, a B-listed building with exterior carvings by the once world-renowned 19th century sculptor George Paterson Sutherland, who hailed from the town and later emigrated to Toronto. There will also be retail, café, educational and touring exhibition space, as well as an ongoing events and exhibitions programme.

Experts predict that the centre – a short train ride from Edinburgh on the Borders Railway - will attract over 50,000 visitors to Galashiels each year once opened. Almost £900,000 of extra spending per year is predicted for the local economy, providing 12,000 extra visits to complementary attractions.

Scottish Borders Council's Executive Member for Business and Economic Development, Councillor Mark Rowley said: “The Great Tapestry of Scotland will not only create a national destination visitor attraction and significant cultural facility in the Borders in 2021, it will also play a key role in the regeneration of Galashiels.”

The Great Tapestry of Scotland visitor attraction is central to plans to regenerate Galashiels, alongside a number of other projects which will provide a host of benefits for the town and the Scottish Borders.

For more information visit scottishtapestry.com or follow @GreatTapestrySc on Facebook or Twitter, and @GreatTapestryScotland on Instagram

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