The Great Tapestry of Scotland to feature in the British Museum’s “once-in-a-generation” Bayeux Tapestry programme
The Great Tapestry of Scotland visitor centre in Galashiels, which is home to one of the world’s longest tapestries and a landmark example of collective storytelling, has been revealed as only one of three Scottish cultural venues to feature in an interactive national UK-wide programme celebrating the British Museum’s “once-in-a-generation” Bayeux Tapestry experience, beginning September 2026. Events at The Great Tapestry of Scotland visitor centre will continue until September 2027.
This places the award-winning visitor centre and the Scottish Borders firmly at the heart of significant cultural moment, as the Bayeux Tapestry will be displayed in the UK for the first time in nearly 1,000 years from September this year.
Part of a wider national programme coordinated by the British Museum to make the Bayeux Tapestry’s story accessible to people across the UK, The Great Tapestry of Scotland will host a year-long programme of art, history and storytelling experiences entitled Two Nations: Two Tapestries. Beginning in September 2026, the centre will host a range of talks, workshops and educational experiences exploring historic links with France, the influence of the Bayeux Tapestry on the work of Great Tapestry of Scotland artist Andrew Crummy, and living stitchers’ sharing reflections on what it might have been like to stitch the Bayeux Tapestry.
This will be supported by a comprehensive learning programme delivered at the Centre, which will feature educational workshops for schools across Scotland. These sessions will connect directly with Scotland’s national curriculum and make use of the British Museum’s resources.
Sandy Maxwell-Forbes, Visitor Attraction Manager at Live Borders, the charitable trust responsible for operating The Great Tapestry of Scotland centre said: “We are thrilled that The Great Tapestry of Scotland has been selected as a Scottish partner in the British Museum’s national programme celebrating the Bayeux Tapestry.
“As the home of one of the world’s longest tapestries, which was inspired by the Bayeux Tapestry, we are uniquely placed to help visitors explore the remarkable connections between these two extraordinary works. The Bayeux Tapestry was the inspiration behind artist Andrew Crummy’s vision for The Great Tapestry of Scotland, which even includes a panel featuring St Margaret of Scotland, the English princess who sought refuge in Scotland following the Norman Conquest of 1066, creating a direct connection to the period depicted in Bayeux.
“While separated by almost a thousand years, both works tell powerful stories of nationhood, identity and shared history, brought to life through the skill and dedication of communities of stitchers. Alongside the historical stories stitched into the tapestries, our programme will celebrate the human stories behind them. Unlike the Bayeux Tapestry, we are privileged to have many of our original stitchers still with us today, offering visitors a unique opportunity to hear first-hand accounts of the creation of this nationally significant work. The partnership also provides an exciting opportunity to celebrate the enduring cultural and historical links between Scotland and France, while showcasing The Great Tapestry of Scotland as one of Scotland’s most significant community heritage projects.”
Councillor Carol Hamilton, Scottish Borders Council’s Executive Member for Housing and Culture, said: “We are absolutely delighted that the British Museum has selected the Great Tapestry of Scotland as a National Partner for the Bayeux Tapestry programme. This is a significant recognition of the strength of our cultural offer here in the Scottish Borders and the international importance of The Great Tapestry of Scotland.
“This partnership creates an exciting opportunity to connect local communities and visitors with one of the world’s most iconic historical artworks, while also celebrating Scotland’s own extraordinary story of people, place and creativity.
“This fantastic programme of exhibitions, learning, and events will ensure that people across Scotland can engage with this moment in meaningful and accessible ways. It also reinforces the Scottish Borders’ reputation as a destination for culture, heritage and high-quality visitor experiences.
“I must applaud Live Borders for the work that has gone in to securing this opportunity, which capitalises on the unique connections between the two artworks and those that created them almost 1,000 years apart.”
The once-in-a-generation Bayeux Tapestry show at the British Museum will open to the public on 10 September 2026 and run until 11 July 2027. Visitors to the British Museum during this time will experience the Tapestry as it has never been seen before when it’s displayed flat for the first time and in one continuous length in a specially made show case. The exhibition will also feature objects from the museum’s own collection, alongside significant artefacts on loan.
The show will be supported by a national programme of events across the UK, putting the Tapestry into the broader context of medieval Britain, the events surrounding the Norman Conquest and the making of the Tapestry. Three Scottish venues feature within the programme. In addition to The Great Tapestry of Scotland, this includes Dovecot Studios in Edinburgh, where the idea for The Great Tapestry of Scotland was conceived, and The Stirling Smith Museum and Art Gallery who will display part of tapestry artist Andrew Crummy’s latest work as part of the programme.
For more information about:
- The Great Tapestry of Scotland’s Two Nations: Two Tapestries programme
- The Bayeux Tapestry experience webpage
