The Great Tapestry of Scotland is coming to Alloa

Measuring around 143metres, the 160 hand stitched cloth panels depict aspects of Scotland's history from 8500BC until 2013 in the world's longest embroidered tapestry.

It will come to the Speirs Centre from the end of May until mid August. Based on figures from previous exhibitions, it is hoped that around 20,000 people will visit the Wee County to see the tapestry, bringing a substantial boost to the local economy.

The piece of art, which involved more than 1,000 volunteers from sewing groups across Scotland, is being brought to the Wee County by Clackmannanshire Third Sector Interface (CTSI) in partnership with Clackmannanshire Council.

There will be excellent volunteering opportunities for local people as they will be able to get involved by meeting a greeting visitors from around the country and beyond to the exhibition.

Anthea Coulter, business manager at CTSI, was delighted to announce the exhibition, saying: “I managed to get to the final day of viewing of the tapestry when it was at Kirkcaldy Museum and I loved the artistry, the historical story-telling and beauty of the work that so many volunteers had been involved in.

“I felt it was important to bring it to Clacks and make it a truly community-led event with volunteers involved and let local people see it for free, before it moves permanently to the borders.”

Panel 143: 'Linwood Begins Production of Hillman Imp' was created by local ladies at the Tillicoultry Needles and Gins group, they are looking forward to welcoming the tapestry and their panel to Alloa.

The group's Lesley Thornton said: “We're delighted that the tapestry is to be displayed locally, giving folks in and around Clackmannanshire the opportunity to see this remarkable celebration of Scottish history.

“Being involved in the creation of the Great Tapestry of Scotland was an unexpected and rewarding journey - as novice embroiderers learning new stitches; working in shifts late into the night to complete our panel in time; meeting with and marvelling at the work of other stitching groups from all over Scotland; becoming experts on Hillman Imps, even visiting the former site of the old factory at Linwood.

“We also did some detective work and managed to trace the 1960s actress depicted on our panel, now in her 70s and living in London, who travelled up to Edinburgh to see her young self stitched into our panel for posterity.

“We never imagined the tapestry would become the national treasure that it has and we're so very proud to have played our part in such a splendid project."

Unfortunately, not all the panels will fit in the Speirs Centre at the same time, but nearly all of them will be on show in two parts of the building.

From May, panels up to the industrial revolution will be in the Lesser Hall while the remainder will be hanging around the gallery.

Halfway through, they will be swapped over.

The exhibition will be free to visit and local man Alistair Scott has already signed up to support the event as a volunteer, those interested should contact CTSI by emailing admin@ctsi.org.uk or by calling 01259 213 840.