The Borders Railway Community Partnership (BRCP) has unveiled a new Tapestry panel at the Galashiels Interchange to celebrate and promote the Borders Railway, which links rail travel to Galashiels, home of The Great Tapestry of Scotland. The panel was revealed by Braw Lad Jamie Bell and former Braw Lassie Abbie Hood.
Graham Atkins, Chair of the BRCP, addressed those gathered at the unveiling, highlighting the Partnership’s mission to encourage sustainable travel and tourism throughout the Borders, while fostering community engagement along the railway line.
The panel was designed by Andrew Crummy, the artist behind the 160 panels of the Great Tapestry of Scotland. It was stitched over two and a half years by more than 2,000 men, women and children and supported by volunteers from across Scotland co-ordinated by Susie Finlayson. Graham Atkins expressed pride in the achievement, noting that while the BRCP has undertaken many projects since its formation in 2014, the Borders Railway Tapestry has been its most ambitious and exciting project to date. He also thanked his vice chair, Judith Cleghorn, for her great efforts in her key role in driving this project to completion.
Alex Bray, CrossCountry’s Stakeholder Liaison Manager of Cross Country Trains, a strong supporter and funder of the project, has frequently visited Galashiels and lent both personal and professional support, feeling a deep connection with the local community. Bray is keen to support future projects with the Partnership. Bray said ‘We are proud to have supported the Great Tapestry of Scotland project. This special panel has been a labour of love, pulling together communities from across the country to produce a one-of-a-kind piece that offers a warm welcome to everyone who visits Galashiels’.
The new Borders Railway Panel is set to give a sense of identity to visitors arriving in Galashiels by train, a town once known for its vibrant textile industry and still home to Heriot-Watt University, a global leader in textiles and education. Visitors will be introduced to what awaits them after a short walk to The Great Tapestry of Scotland, where they can explore the 160 panels that depict the history and culture of Scotland from its origins to modern day.
Accredited as a 5-star visitor attraction, The Great Tapestry of Scotland has recently also been recognised by TripAdvisor as being in the top 10% of must-see attractions worldwide, based on authentic reviews left by visitors over the past year.
The Great Tapestry of Scotland visitor centre, located near the Galashiels Transport Interchange, is a vital part of a town-centre regeneration effort funded by the Scottish Government’s Regeneration Capital Grant Fund, the Borders Railway Blueprint programme, and Scottish Borders Council. BRCP’s support of the town and The Great Tapestry of Scotland is deeply valued, particularly during challenging times, such as the cost-of-living crisis. The educational initiatives at the Tapestry have benefited from their financial assistance, enabling large groups of children from along the railway line to visit the centre for educational experiences.