On the cool bright Spring morning of 17th
April, a group of some 30 members of FoGM boarded a coach in central Glasgow
for a day trip to New Lanark World Heritage Site.
We were transported to the centre of New Lanark
where we were informed of the arrangements which had been made for the visit
with the principal options of taking
part in either a guided tour of the complex that included time to visit the
Scottish Diaspora Tapestry or spending most of the available time in the
exhibition hall looking at the Tapestry.
Regardless of which option taken, we were
able to admire the site and its facilities on the banks of the River Clyde.
However, there was something special about the Tapestry with its 305 panels
that told the tales to Scotland. This wording might seem at first reading to be
unusual but this is not the case if one remembers that the panels describe and
detail events associated with individuals or groups of Scots who migrated
with determination and courage far and wide throughout the world in search of adventure
and a new life. Displayed by continent, the panels were easily viewed and adequately lit so it was very easy to become absorbed in the
artistry of their design, the skill of the embroiders and to access the
associated captions by means of the Scottish Diaspora Tapestry App. A great
example of the juxtaposition of the old and the new! Added bonuses
were the displays of embroidery 'postcards' by the Scottish branches of
the Embroiderers Guild for the
participating countries in the 2012 London Olympic Games and a display by the
Biggar and District Embroiders' Guild in celebration of its 40th
year anniversary.
Perhaps not unexpectedly the day passed
quickly and it was time to return before visiting and viewing had been
completed. Many thanks to those who organised the outing and especially to Anne
Robertson for her stories and attention to detail for a most memorable day.
