Highland stitchers half way through Tapestry of the Highlands and Islands
Over half of the panels being stitched for the Tapestry of the Highlands and Islands have been successfully hand delivered to stitching groups across the area, and work by communities to create the artwork is now well underway.
Designer Andrew Crummy and stitch coordinator Kirstie Campbell have delivered the panels to stitchers and groups in locations throughout the Highlands and Islands.
The tapestry project, spanning communities across the Highlands and Islands, involves over 650 volunteer community stitchers, aged from two to 97.
The finished tapestry will feature 52 panels, each featuring an image made up of a central figure – such as a person, an animal, scenery, or an icon – surrounded by journey stones. In some cases the image will feature decorated stones in a circle and in others they will appear as a handful of placed embellished stones around the central figure. Each of the 650 community volunteers is stitching their chosen story into the tapestry outline.
The tapestry is a unique way to tell the stories of your area and is being created by communities with help from designer, Andrew Crummy. Completed tapestry panels will be exhibited within the newly transformed Inverness Castle when it opens in 2025, as well as within community venues across the Highlands and Islands.
The tapestry is being created as part of the Spirit of the Highlands and Islands project, a partnership project between The Highland Council and High Life Highland.
Cllr Russell Jones said:“The passion the stitchers have about the Highlands and Islands really comes through in this unique community arts project. The tapestry showcases the natural and cultural heritage of our beautiful region intertwined with thought-provoking and emotional stories from the threads of over 650 stitchers.”
Kirstie Campbell, stitch coordinator, said:“It has been wonderful to meet the stitchers from each of the 52 groups and seeing new friendships blossom. I have personally enjoyed listening to the stories from the stitchers surrounding their journey stones, and what the Spirit of the Highlands and Islands means to them.”
The Spirit of the Highlands and Islands project will encourage visitors to explore and experience all parts of the Highlands and Islands, as well as inspiring them to attend and support festivals and events, visitor attractions and outdoor locations across the area.
