Three ASVA Members Selected for British Museum’s Bayeux Tapestry Events
Added: 18 Jun 2026
Three ASVA member attractions have been chosen to take part in the British Museum’s nationwide programme celebrating the return of the Bayeux Tapestry to the UK in what has been described as a “once-in-a-generation” cultural event.
The Great Tapestry of Scotland in Galashiels, Dovecot Studios in Edinburgh and The Stirling Smith Art Gallery & Museum are among a select group of venues across the UK that will host exhibitions, events and educational activities linked to the British Museum’s major Bayeux Tapestry exhibition, running from September 2026 to July 2027.
The Bayeux Tapestry, one of the world’s most significant medieval artworks, will be displayed at the British Museum from 10 September 2026 to 11 July 2027. For the first time, visitors will be able to experience the tapestry displayed flat and in a continuous length, alongside important objects and artefacts connected to the Norman Conquest and medieval Britain.
Supporting this landmark exhibition will be a national programme of events exploring the tapestry’s history, legacy and continuing cultural influence. Scotland’s contribution will be led by three ASVA members, each offering a unique perspective on the enduring power of textile storytelling.
Great Tapestry of Scotland, Galashiels
The Great Tapestry of Scotland will present Two Nations: Two Tapestries, a year-long programme of exhibitions, workshops and storytelling activities beginning in September 2026. The programme will explore the historical links between Scotland and France, the influence of the Bayeux Tapestry on artist Andrew Crummy’s vision for the Great Tapestry of Scotland, and the shared experiences of the stitchers behind both works.
Educational activities linked to Scotland’s Curriculum for Excellence will also form part of the programme.
Sandy Maxwell-Forbes, Visitor Attraction Manager at Live Borders, 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.
“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.”
Dovecot Studios, Edinburgh
At Dovecot Studios, visitors will be able to experience a full-scale printed replica of the Bayeux Tapestry displayed across the studio’s renowned Tapestry Studio Viewing Balcony – the first time such a display has been shown in Scotland.
Alongside the replica, Dovecot’s weavers and volunteers are creating two new panels, one in embroidery and one in tapestry, providing visitors with a unique opportunity to compare the techniques and craftsmanship behind these historic textile traditions.
Heather Carroll, Curator and Exhibitions Manager at Dovecot Studios, said:
“As the UK’s longest-running tapestry studio, this is a natural collaboration for Dovecot, and we are delighted to be part of this special Scotland-wide programme, sharing our craft expertise while celebrating one of the world’s most remarkable textile artworks.”
The Stirling Smith Art Gallery & Museum
The Stirling Smith Art Gallery & Museum will host a major programme examining the enduring relevance of tapestry as an artistic and storytelling medium.
Visitors will be able to explore a digital exhibition of the Bayeux Tapestry alongside displays of work by acclaimed artist Andrew Crummy, including designs and completed panels from his Cancer Tapestry. The museum will also showcase the Roman panel from The Tapestry of Black Britons during Black History Month.
A programme of talks, community stitching activities and special events will accompany the exhibitions.
Kirstie Campbell, Assistant Director of The Smith, said:
“From the Bayeux Tapestry’s medieval chronicle to contemporary community-stitched works, tapestry remains a uniquely compelling art form. What makes it so special is its ability to connect people – not only across centuries, but right now, in the same room, around the same cloth.”
Showcasing Scotland’s Textile Storytelling
The involvement of these three ASVA members highlights Scotland’s significant contribution to the tradition of textile storytelling and community heritage projects. Together, their programmes will demonstrate how the legacy of the Bayeux Tapestry continues to inspire contemporary artists, makers and communities, while creating new opportunities for audiences across Scotland to engage with one of history’s most celebrated works of art.
Further details about the British Museum exhibition and associated national programme will be announced over the coming months.