There are so many connections between Scotland and France – and between France and Scotland! – that there has certainly been no shortage of ideas to feature in the Tapestry. Our modest summary on this website (here) only scratches the surface of the many long-standing links.
Our teams have been working hard not only to identify stories, however, but also to recruit eager embroiderers on the ground. The next edition of the town magazine of Boussy-Saint-Antoine outside Paris, for example, is to feature the following article:
We’re also tempting stitchers through communications with the French wing of the Edinburgh University Alumni Association, who are keen to support the project and keep their members informed.
All this talk of tapestries and France sets the mind thinking of the internationally renowned Bayeux Tapestry in Normandy. Readers may not be aware that this beautiful eleventh century embroidery was the inspiration for the Battle of Prestonpans Tapestry, which in turn inspired the creation of the Scottish Diaspora Tapestry. The Prestonpans Tapestry first visited France in May 2012 when it was displayed at Pornichet/St Nazaire (read up on it here). It is due to be exhibited in the Bayeux Tapestry Museum in September and October 2013. So we believe we are treading in warm footsteps as we advance the Diaspora’s French panels…