New Lanark in Great Tapestry of Scotland

A TEAM of amateur embroiderers have made sure that New Lanark has its place in the history of Scotland, illustrated in the country’s largest-ever community arts project.
Work of art...the Great Tapestry of Scotland features a panel, depicting New Lanark 1785 (Pic by Alex Hewitt)Work of art...the Great Tapestry of Scotland features a panel, depicting New Lanark 1785 (Pic by Alex Hewitt)
Work of art...the Great Tapestry of Scotland features a panel, depicting New Lanark 1785 (Pic by Alex Hewitt)

The Great Tapestry of Scotland is a stunning, 143-metre work depicting the entire history of Scotland over 420 million years.

The ambitious project was spearheaded by author Alexander McCall Smith who, with historian Alistair Moffat and artist Andrew Crummy, designed 160 historical panels, depicting key moments from Scotland’s past.

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Then an army of more than 1000 volunteers spent months stitching the panels – each took over 700 hours – to produce an artwork of unbelievable detail and scope.

In New Lanark a group worked tirelessly to create a stunning panel showing Robert Owen and the village in 1783, in the Industrial Revolution.

Currently on show in the Scottish Parliament, the tapestry will then tour the country; it will go on display in New Lanark in March next year.