Diaspora tapestry booked for nationwide tour

A NATIONWIDE tour has been announced for a vast new work of art which is being created by descendants of Scots in 25 countries around the world.

Andrew Crummy shows off some of the Disapora Tapestry alongside Cabinet Secretary Fiona Hyslop. Picture: Greg Macvean

East Lothian-based artist Andrew Crummy, who was behind previous tapestries charting the story of the Battle of Prestonpans, and the evolution of Scotland, has designed the 150 separate panels which will make up the new piece.

Groups of stitchers in 25 different countries – including China, India, Canada, the United States, Australia, Sweden, Italy, Poland, the Netherlands and France – are creating the different embroidered sections by hand, some of which have been completed already.

The project, instigated as part of the 2014 Year of Homecoming, has been some two years in development. The finished work, which will feature a series of 50x50cm panels, is expected to be 90 metres long.

Mr Crummy has been working with each community to research the Scottish links of families who emigrated over the years to start a new life to help inspire his designs.

The finished work will go on display in Prestonpans in May as part of the annual Three Harbours Arts Festival, before visiting Stirling, Edinburgh, Paisley, Inverness and Wick.

Culture secretary Fiona Hyslop, who visited Mr Crummy at his studio in Cockenzie to see the project taking shape, said: “It is great to see the progress that has been made on the Scottish Diaspora Tapestry and to hear about the important connections that have been made the world over – connections which reflect Scotland’s place in the world and stories which mirror the experiences and history of Scots and people of Scots descent everywhere.”

Mr Crummy added: “It’s fantastic to now see the completed tapestry coming together.”