Dundee Tapestry: Stitchers' labour of love to city unveiled

A new tapestry celebrating the history of Dundee through the eyes of its people has been displayed in the city for the first time.

More than 140 volunteers from Dundee and the surrounding area made the 35-panel tapestry, with many taking up a needle and thread for the first time.

The panels include the city's industrial heritage, culture, and people from 1850 to the present day.

It will be displayed at V&A Dundee until the end of April.

Stitcher Christine Don worked on four of the panels, including the Botanic Gardens and Eden Project panel.

She said: "It's absolutely fabulous to see it the way it is, I'm very proud of what we've all achieved.

"I've made a lot of new friends and it's been a great experience."

She added: "When I started I felt I couldn't do certain things, and it's made a big difference with that as well.

"This is my happy place doing stitching, and getting involved in this really made a difference."

The Dundee Women, The Four Marys and She Town panels recognise women who made their mark on the city and the world.

She Town pays homage to women who may not have received the recognition in their lifetimes, including welder Bella Keyzer, suffragettes Ethel Moorhead and Lila Clunas and councillor Agnes Husband.

The project was conceived and developed by John Fyffe of the Weaver Incorporation of Dundee, one of the city's Nine Incorporated Trades.

He said: "The Dundee Tapestry is a form of visual storytelling which tells the amazing history of our city, including the highs and lows, the hardships and hopes.

"The volunteer stitchers have worked tirelessly for two years, even finding ways to work on the tapestry throughout the pandemic, and now we really can't wait to share their work with everyone over the next few months at V&A Dundee."