The Great Tapestry of Scotland’s 2025 Junior Tour Guides have recently carried out their final tours with a performance to the P5 pupils of St Peters Primary School – who will become our 2026 Junior Tour Guides!
For the third consecutive year, the Primary 6 pupils at St. Peters have enthusiastically embraced this initiative, dedicating time throughout the school year to the project. During this period, they have honed essential life skills by completing application forms and attending interviews for their roles within the program. Over the past few months, the pupils have diligently researched panels, crafted scripts, designed costumes, written songs and delivered captivating tours to over 150 people!
Their performances brought five of the 165 panels to life, with plays and songs centred on The Battle of Bannockburn, The First School of Deaf and Dumb Pupils, Borders Tweed, World War Two and Football!
The P6 pupils have worked hard on this project and started by filling out application forms and attend interviews for their roles within the project. Over the last few months, the pupils have researched panels, written scripts, designed their costumes and performed their tours.
Speaking about the initiative, Jane Johnston, the P6 Class Teacher said:
“This year, our continued collaboration with The Great Tapestry of Scotland and YMI in the Borders has once again provided our P6 pupils with a rich and varied learning experience.
From September onwards, the class have embraced new opportunities – developing skills in research, creative writing, music, digital design, different skills in art and design, and performance.
Each pupil selected panels they wished to study in depth, visited the tapestry to deepen their understanding, and applied for tour guide roles by completing detailed personal applications.
They crafted and refined scripts for panel plays, collaborated with Ms Alakus from YMI to compose original songs, learned new art and design skills with Julie, the Tapestry Education Officer, and built confidence in public speaking and performance.
Using our inspire iPads, the pupils also created digital invitations for the tours.
It’s been a packed but rewarding year, and it’s been wonderful to watch each child grow in confidence, creativity and enthusiasm in learning.”
The legacy of this project will continue with this being an annual part of the curriculum for all P6 pupils of St Peters. The current P5s, who will be the Tour Guides next year, had a chance to come along to see a performance – and are already getting inspired about the stories they want to showcase next year!
I learned my panel’s history and I could remember my lines
effectively. I loved being a tour guide and I would do it every Friday if I could!
Zennor L P6
I really enjoyed being a tapestry tour guide. When you visit the tapestry to pick your panels, it is fun just seeing all the panels, all the history. When you come to doing your script and acting, it is very scary. But, you get used to it and it’s amazing.
Louie H P6
It was an honour working with the tapestry. I loved doing the art with Julie and working with Ms Alakus from YMI to put our songs together. It will stick with me forever.
Ayda J P6
Throughout the year, the tapestry have definitely benefited and increased my skills and confidence. Now I can speak in front of a crowd, express myself more, work better with others and have crafting skills. If I could do it again, I would.
Maisie T
