Our Influences: The Great Tapestry of Scotland

 

Image credits: Inglestone House (2023)

The Great Tapestry of Scotland

The Great Tapestry of Scotland is one of the world's biggest collaborative textile pieces, hand stitched by over 1000 people from around Scotland. The 160 panels tell the story of Scotland's entire history, from the formation of the land to 2013 when the tapestry was completed.

Lisa Gold was inspired by this incredible example of community collaboration and beautiful storytelling to create something similar in Manchester.

The Great Tapestry of Scotland was inspired by an idea by author Alexander McCall-Smith and designed by artist Andrew Crummy. Historian Alistair Moffatt was also involved in research and deciding who to depict in the tapestry.

Threads of a City aims to use the research of BA History students at Manchester Metropolitan University and the design capabilities of students from the School of Art to design the tapestry of Manchester, combining history and art in a similar way to The Great Tapestry of Scotland.

We are very excited to announce that Andrew Crummy will be speaking to participants of the Threads of a City project on Wednesday 4th February 2025 at Manchester Central Library!

William Green (1794) First full map of Manchester and Salford. Credits: John Rylands Research Institute and Library, University of Manchester.