Braveheart tapestry weavers turn William Wallace letters into art

Published on 31/07/2012 12:00

Two tapestries inspired by the only surviving letters known to be directly connected to William Wallace have been unveiled for an exhibition.

The 700-year-old letters are being brought together for the first time to form the centrepiece of Special Delivery: The William Wallace Letters, which opens next month.

Commissioned by National Records of Scotland and designed at Dovecot Studios in Infirmary Street, the tapestries will hang behind each of the exhibits. Their design is inspired by the intricate lettering and parchment of the documents.

George Mackenzie, keeper of the Records of Scotland, said: “It’s fascinating that the weavers are using methods Wallace would recognise if he was alive today.”

Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop unveiled the tapestries, and said: “These bespoke tapestries have been carefully crafted by skilled weavers using traditional techniques which, 
like the letters, have stood the test of time.”