BORDERERS will have their chance to stitch themselves into history this spring.

As part of the build-up to the Great Tapestry of Scotland centre opening in Galashiels next year, promoters are going on the road.

At various historic locations around the region, as well as wider Scotland, there will be an opportunity for visitors to stitch part of the Welcome panels.

And everyone who threads part of the panels will have their name recorded as a contributor to the Tapestry’s visitor centre.

The Great Tapestry of Scotland’s £6.7 million purpose built interactive visitor centre is due to open next April.

Centre director Sandy Maxwell-Forbes is already getting excited.

She told us: “Telling the people’s story of Scotland and making this story accessible to everyone has always been at the heart of the Great Tapestry of Scotland, so we’re incredibly excited to be giving those who live in Scotland, and those visitors who love our country so much, an opportunity to stitch their name in Scotland’s history through our new Welcome Panel tour.

"We would like to thank all the venues and event organisers throughout Scotland who are making this possible.

"In keeping with the Great Tapestry of Scotland’s ethos, it is vital that as many people as possible have an opportunity to contribute to the panels.

"As part of the tour, we’re taking the Welcome Panels directly to venues, such care homes, to remove some of the barriers that some individuals face to accessing such significant cultural projects.

"We will add more venues throughout the year.”

The tour, which will stop at Abbotsford, Floors Castle, Traquair and Marchmont, will give people the chance to work with some of the country’s leading textile artists.

When complete, the new Welcome to Scotland’s Story panels will be permanently displayed at the entrance to the Great Tapestry of Scotland centre.

Catherine Maxwell Stuart from Traquair is hosting the Welcome Panel tour on May 9 and 10.

She said: “We are looking forward to the Great Tapestry of Scotland having a permanent home in the Scottish Borders where we hope it will draw visitors from far and wide to appreciate this outstanding cultural achievement”

“Over 900 years Traquair has witnessed extraordinary events in Scotland’s history, so we know only too well how important it is to hear Scotland’s stories as told by Scotland’s people.

"With our own strong heritage of textile and embroideries it is wonderful to see these unique traditions being carried on to the 21st century.

"We are delighted to be part of the Welcome Panel tour with this wonderful team of textile artists giving residents and visitors to Scotland in 2020 an opportunity to part of this story.”

Many of the stories told through the Great Tapestry of Scotland, which was completed in 2013, have strong ties to the history, heritage and culture that can be experienced on a visit to Scotland.

Building on this and, continuing the Tapestry’s ethos to tell the people’s story of Scotland, the new Welcome Panels will tell some of the true stories linked to the visitor centre’s new home in the Scottish Borders.

The panels will feature a reiver, a shepherd, a monk, a mill worker and a fisher lass.

By the time they are completed, it is hoped that over 1,000 different people from across Scotland and beyond will have contributed to the stitching.

Giles Ingram, chief executive of Abbotsford, will welcome the tour on Saturday, May 30.

He said: “We are really looking forward to the opening of the Great Tapestry of Scotland.

"It’s a wonderful new attraction for the Borders that will engage visitors with its depiction of Scottish people, places and events, many of which were very important to Sir Walter Scott and his stories.

“Abbotsford is delighted to be a part of the tapestry’s story today and to give our visitors an opportunity to make their mark on an important piece of Scottish cultural history.”

The tour will also visit Glasgow and Aberdeen during the spring.