World’s largest tapestry to go on display in Hebrides

One of its many scenes features the tale of Bonnie Prince Charlie escaping to Eriskay, now the world’s biggest tapestry is set to go on display in Prestonpans.

At 104 metres long it took 25,000 man hours to finish and involved 200 volunteers from Scotland, France, Australia and the United States.

Commissioned by the Battle of Prestonpans Heritage Trust in East Lothian a year ago and designed by local artist Andrew Crummy, the tapestry tells the story of the battle on September 21, 1745 in which Jacobite rebels recorded a resounding victory against the Hanovarian Redcoats.

“Battle of Prestonpans”

Originally the tapestry was to be made up of 79 metre-long panels depicting the journey of Bonnie Prince Charlie from France to Eriskay in the Outer Hebrides and through the Highlands as he gathered supporters.

But due to the complexity of the story the tapestry grew to 104 metres.

The tapestry – 34m larger than the Bayeux – will be unveiled in Prestonpans tomorrow (Monday) before touring the country following the route the Jacobites took in 1745.

It will be displayed in Eriskay on Saturday, July, 31st and Sunday, August 1st at July at the island’s village hall

After touring Scotland, the Battle of Prestonpans Heritage Trust hope to create a permanent home for the tapestry at the site of the battle. For more details of the project, visit www.prestonpanstapestry.org

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