The Great Tapestry of Scotland

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The Great Tapestry of Scotland The Great Tapestry of Scotland - Europe's largest tapestry with its permanent home in Galashiels

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Consisting of 160 hand stitched panels created by 1,000 stitchers and illustrating Scottish history from the Ice Age to modern day

It’s a remarkable achievement: in an age of speed and technology, it has been created with wool and linen, slowly, methodically and with people coming together to share stories and create a record of their history. The national visitor attraction in the centre of Galashiels, the heartland of the Scottish Borders is just a short journey by rail or road from Edinburgh. The gallery, workshop space and cafe celebrates the people’s story of Scotland and the creative talents of the stitchers. From Mary Queen of Scots to Scotland at the movies, Robert the Bruce to the rise of Dundee, all are invited to explore the Great Tapestry of Scotland in Galashiels. In addition to the Tapestry with interactive displays and audio guides, Gallery 1420 will host visiting exhibits and there’s a workshop space where visitors can meet the makers. There is also a gift shop and café with seasonal produce supporting Scotland's magnificent larder.

14/10/2026

Thursday 15th October - FREE Children's Creative Workshop!

Drop into The Great Tapestry of Scotland tomorrow for the Glow-Up Sea Creature Challenge 🪼. Children can transform their own clean plastic milk bottle into a colourful bubble fish, jellyfish or their very own sea-inspired creation to take home.

Along the way, families can discover more about Scotland’s coastlines and why looking after our seas and marine wildlife matters.

⏰ 10am–12 noon OR 1pm–3pm
🎟️ FREE, no booking required
🥛 Just bring along a clean plastic milk bottle. All other materials are provided.

Find out more: https://www.greattapestryofscotland.com/kids-creative-challenge/

Update 14th Oct – This workshop is now SOLD OUTDiscover the art of storytelling through stitch 🪡Join acclaimed textile a...
09/10/2026

Update 14th Oct – This workshop is now SOLD OUT

Discover the art of storytelling through stitch 🪡

Join acclaimed textile artist Chloe Patience for a special two-day embroidery workshop inspired by The Great Tapestry of Scotland's forthcoming Two Nations; Two Tapestries programme, which will explore the historic and cultural connections between Scotland and France.

Across two engaging sessions, you'll learn embroidery techniques, develop your creative skills, and gain an early insight into this exciting cross-border initiative ahead of the programme's launch later in the coming weeks.

📅 13 & 27 November 2026
📍 Great Tapestry of Scotland, Galashiels, Scottish Borders
🎟️ £180, including MBE Andrew Crummy designed unique artwork panel, expert tuition from Chloe Patience, all materials plus lunch on the day
🎟️ Booking essential. Please email [email protected] to book your place or book direct on: https://www.greattapestryofscotland.com/two-nations-two-tapestries-embroidery-workshop/

25/09/2026

Looking for something creative to do with the kids this October break?

Drop into The Great Tapestry of Scotland on Thursday 15 October for the FREE Glow-Up Sea Creature Challenge 🪼. Children can transform their own clean plastic milk bottle into a colourful bubble fish, jellyfish or their very own sea-inspired creation to take home.

Along the way, families can discover more about Scotland’s coastlines and why looking after our seas and marine wildlife matters.

📅 Thursday 15 October
⏰ 10am–12 noon OR 1pm–3pm
🎟️ FREE, no booking required
🥛 Just bring along a clean plastic milk bottle. All other materials are provided.

Come along, get creative and give an everyday bottle a brilliant underwater glow-up! Find out more: https://loom.ly/njzgE

While the Bayeux Tapestry makes its once-in-a-generation visit to the in London from this September, we're bringing a p...
02/09/2026

While the Bayeux Tapestry makes its once-in-a-generation visit to the in London from this September, we're bringing a piece of its story to Scotland.

As part of Bayeux Around Britain, The Great Tapestry of Scotland will welcome Casting a Masterpiece - rare casts taken directly from the Bayeux Tapestry itself. It's a unique opportunity for people across Scotland to connect with this world-famous work, right here in the Scottish Borders.

Sign up to the newsletter on our website to be the first to know when the casts will be on display, and for more information on our own exhibition to celebrate our part in Bayeux Around Britain!

, supported by WorldQuant. Credit: La Fabrique

28/08/2026

🪡 Inspired by the Bayeux Tapestry? Discover a new Scottish Tapestry Trail.

As a partner in the British Museum 's Bayeux Around Britain programme, we're delighted to launch the Borders Tapestry Trail - a new way to explore the rich textile history, heritage and creativity across the Scottish Borders.

Whether you've been inspired by the Bayeux Tapestry, have a passion for history and textiles, enjoy discovering art, or are simply looking to explore one of Scotland's most beautiful regions, the Borders Tapestry Trail offers an unforgettable journey through the nation's stitched heritage.

Come and follow the threads that have woven Scotland's story for centuries....

👉 Discover more information about the Scottish Tapestry Trail, including an interactive map, on our website:
https://www.greattapestryofscotland.com/stories/discover-the-scottish-tapestry-trail/





Galashiels Heartland of the Borders Discover South Scotland - Scotland Starts Here VisitScotland Live Borders

26/08/2026

🧬🪡 Did you know this about Dolly the sheep?

Born on July 5, 1996, at the Roslin Institute in Scotland, Dolly the sheep was the first mammal successfully cloned from an adult cell. Her birth proved that specialised body cells could be reprogrammed to create an entirely new organism, sparking global scientific revolutions and intense ethical debates.

Our panel remembers this important moment in Scottish history – and the enormous impact Dolly had on the course of biology and medicine worldwide.

Explore the history...Experience the story.

👉 Plan your visit: https://www.greattapestryofscotland.com/





Galashiels Heartland of the Borders | Discover South Scotland - Scotland Starts Here | Live Borders | VisitScotland

⭐🪡 We love receiving reviews like this.We are committed to providing an inspiring, engaging and inclusive experience for...
24/08/2026

⭐🪡 We love receiving reviews like this.

We are committed to providing an inspiring, engaging and inclusive experience for everyone who walks through our doors. It is a great honour to preserve the memories of a nation for the world to discover.

Come and see what our visitors are talking about...

👉 Book your visit: https://www.greattapestryofscotland.com/tickets-and-prices/





Galashiels Heartland of the Borders | Discover South Scotland - Scotland Starts Here | VisitScotland | Live Borders

21/08/2026

🪡 Why we think you will like The Great Tapestry of Scotland...

The Great Tapestry of Scotland is the world’s longest tapestry inspired by the Bayeux and a landmark example of collective storytelling, capturing over 420 million years of Scottish history across 160 panels.

🎥 A big thanks to our visitor officer Valerie for highlighting our close connection to France through her storytelling.

Beginning in Autumn 2026, as part of the British Museum's Bayeux Around Britain programme, we will host a range of talks, workshops and educational experiences exploring historic links with France, the influence of the Bayeux Tapestry on the work of Great Tapestry of Scotland artist Andrew Crummy, and living stitchers’ sharing reflections on what it might have been like to stitch the Bayeux Tapestry.

If you have been inspired by the Bayeux Tapestry, we believe you will enjoy a visit to our Tapestry too.

👉 Plan your visit: https://www.greattapestryofscotland.com/





Galashiels Heartland of the Borders Discover South Scotland - Scotland Starts Here VisitScotland Live Borders

Scotland is world renowned for its warmth of welcome, and has a long history of making people laugh... 🪡🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿Panel 147...
19/08/2026

Scotland is world renowned for its warmth of welcome, and has a long history of making people laugh... 🪡🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

Panel 147 tells the story of Scottish Comedy, featuring some of our most well-known comedians, such as Billy Connolly, Ronnie Corbett and Francie & Josie. At the heart of the panel, you see Sir Harry Lauder, who at one point in history was the highest-paid performer in the world and the first artist from both Britain and Scotland to sell a million records. A true Scottish icon.

This year's Edinburgh Festival Fringe features many Scottish comedians, including Daniel Sloss, Connor Burns, Craig Hill and Susie McCabe, alongside a whole host of incredible artists and performers celebrating almost every creative genre at hundreds of venues across the city. The official programme even includes an exhibition of The Craigmillar Tapestry at The Scottish Storytelling Centre , which was designed and stitched by local people with artwork and guidance from our very own artist Andrew Crummy.

🚂 If you are heading to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe this year - follow the thread from the busy streets of Edinburgh to Galashiels (just 45 minutes on the train from Waverley Station) to experience Scotland's story written in thread.

👉 Plan your visit: https://www.greattapestryofscotland.com/





Edinburgh Festival Fringe Galashiels Heartland of the Borders Discover South Scotland - Scotland Starts Here Live Borders VisitScotland

17/08/2026

The story of how the Mortlake Tapestry Works shaped Britain's early tapestry heritage...

The Mortlake Tapestry Works was established alongside the River Thames at Mortlake, then outside but now in South West London, in 1619. King James I helped establish the factory, and his successor Charles I was a heavy investor, leading to Mortlake Tapestries becoming the first successful tapestry manufacturer in England.

🪡 Mortlake's tapestries have been described as being of "splendid decorative quality and unequalled technical achievement". They are renowned for their rich and elaborate borders, an approach that can also be seen in the design of The Great Tapestry of Scotland.

🎟️ Want to see these Mortlake tapestries for yourself? In August, receive 10% off your 'Victorian House Tour' at Bowhill House & Grounds when showing your Great Tapestry ticket. Discounted tickets for the second venue must be purchased in person.

👉 To purchase a Great Tapestry of Scotland ticket here: https://www.greattapestryofscotland.com/





Galashiels Heartland of the Borders Discover South Scotland - Scotland Starts Here Live Borders

Address

14-20 High Street
Galashiels
TD11SD

Opening Hours

Monday 9:30am - 5pm
Tuesday 9:30am - 5pm
Wednesday 9:30am - 5pm
Thursday 9:30am - 5pm
Friday 9:30am - 5pm
Saturday 9:30am - 5pm
Sunday 9:30am - 5pm

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