The Craigmillar Tapestry, which has been stitched by over 500 people, will be exhibited to the public ahead of this year’s Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
The Scottish Storytelling Centre (SSC), which is celebrating its 20th anniversary, will be the first venue to exhibit the Craigmillar Tapestry ahead of its city-wide tour.
The tapestry, which has been stitched by over 500 residents of Craigmillar and Niddrie, will be exhibited at the centre from 24 July to 31 August
Documenting the history of the area with makers weaving in elements of their own experience and cultures into the work, it includes traditional Syrian stitching, names of local activists and important landmarks around the area.
It will then continue its tour across Edinburgh to Portobello, Craigmillar, Newcraighall and The Inch.
Each panel has been designed by Craigmillar-born artist Andrew Crummy in consultation with communities around the Greater Craigmillar area.
Crummy has also worked on the Great Tapestry of Scotland, now housed in a purpose-built venue in Galashiels, and several other community-stitched tapestries.
A particularly personal project for Crummy, the artist returned to his roots in Craigmillar for the tapestry and honoured the legacy of his mother, the activist and leader of the Craigmillar Festival Society, Helen Crummy.
Andrew Crummy said: “All the tapestries I am involved with, like The Great Tapestry of Scotland are based on Community Arts ethos developed by The Craigmillar Festival Society.
“A way of using the Arts that has inspired and travelled the world. It is an honour to be involved in developing this Tapestry, with many involved, telling fantastic stories from an amazing community.
“It was originally an idea from my mother, the late Helen Crummy in 2010, who wanted to celebrate not only the history of Craigmillar, but all those who helped Craigmillar become a vibrant and rich community.
“As Helen’s favourite song says ‘History will be made, when the people play their part.'”
The twenty tapestry panels celebrate the area’s history, with many illustrating historic sites such as the Neolithic ‘Niddrie Standing Stone’ on Greendykes Road and Medieval Craigmillar Castle.
Local stitcher Heather Henderson said: “I have been involved with the Craigmillar Tapestry since the start. I have enjoyed watching, taking part & teaching in helping to bring Andrew’s drawings for every panel, come alive with the stitches. I am so proud when I see every panelfinished.
“It’s such an honour to see them. It’s done leaps and bounds with my mental health and it gives me a purpose to go out. ”
The SSC will also present 33 shows “spanning storytelling, theatre, music and spoken word” as part of its programme.
Its interim head of programming, Lauren Paterson, said: “Our Fringe 2026 programme explores the connections and common ground we share across time, language and culture and it is therefore fitting that for Fringe 2026 and for the Centre’s 20th Anniversary celebrations, we can house this wonderful piece of art that champions community connection and collective local history.
“We’re so looking forward to welcoming the Tapestry and all those who will come to see it.
“The Tapestry will be displayed in the Storytelling Court, where every single audience member attending a show will get to see and engage with it, making it the real heart of our programme this year.”
