Stirling Castle to welcome Great Tapestry of Scotland

Visitors to Stirling Castle will be able to witness 42 million years of Scottish history when the castle plays host to the Great Tapestry of Scotland next month.

The castle is one of the few locations on the Great Tapestry's tour which will be able to accommodate this artwork at its full 143 metre length. The brainchild of author Alexander McCall Smith, the 160 panels of intricate stitching illustrate a people’s history, taking visitors on a journey through Scotland from the turbulence of the last Ice Age through to the present day. 

The Tapestry is Scotland’s largest community arts project and was completed by more than 1,000 volunteers of all ages located across the country.  To date, the tapestry has been visited by more than 200,000 people with many thousands more expected to visit Stirling Castle to see the exhibit when it opens on 31 January 2015.

Lorna Ewan, Head of Visitor Experience, Content and Learning for Historic Scotland who run Stirling Castle, said: 'The Great Tapestry of Scotland is one of the most exciting projects of its kind and tells the history of Scotland in a very vivid and interactive way.

As a site which has seen so many key events in Scotland’s history unfold, it is a fitting venue to host the tapestry which will help tell Scotland’s wider story to visitors from home and overseas.

'It is also one of the few venues where visitors will be able to see the full tapestry displayed in all its glory – within the Great Hall – Scotland’s biggest banqueting hall - providing a stunning backdrop to display all 160 intricately embroidered panels.

'As part of the exhibition, castle staff will be on hand to help visitors explore the different elements within the tapestry’s story – including those relating to the castle and other Historic Scotland sites, and we look forward to welcoming visitors to the castle to view the tapestry against the splendour of James IV’s magnificent Great Hall.'

The Great Tapestry of Scotland exhibition at Stirling Castle will run from 31 January to 8 March 2015 and is open daily from 9.30am to 5pm. Last admissions are 4.15pm. Admission is included in the price of entry to the castle. For more information, visit the Stirling Castle website.