THE Great Tapestry of Scotland Centre has announced a new exhibit inspired by the coronavirus lockdown.

Amateur and professional artists from the Borders are among those to have had their work selected for the exhibit, entitled Reflections of a Nation.

A national competition to be involved in the exhibit led to entries from across Scotland – with nine-year-old Ally Pritchard, from Tweedbank, among the successful applicants.

Speaking of his entry, which depicted the Shetland fire festival ‘Up Helly Aa’, Ally said: “l learned about the Viking fire festival Up Helly Aa when my teacher sent me work to do at home during the coronavirus lockdown.

“I made this picture on my iPad. It is the Viking boat being set on fire and people celebrating on the beach with flaming torches. I would really like to visit Shetland and go to the Up Helly Aa festival one day.”

Border Telegraph: Ally Pritchard, from Tweedbank, had his work chosen by author Alexander McCall Smith Ally Pritchard, from Tweedbank, had his work chosen by author Alexander McCall Smith

The lockdown exhibit was inspired by then six-year-old Rory Innes – whose mother, Kirsty, a former Galashiels Academy pupil, has been working with the centre.

After taking an interest in the tapestry, Rory drew a picture of his grandparents on Facetime using an array of mediums – including his then four-year-old brother Euan’s hand print.

As the inspiration behind the exhibit, Rory’s picture will be included alongside the competition winners.

The tapestry centre’s director, Sandy Maxwell-Forbes, said: “Not only does Rory’s picture wonderfully depict how family relationships have been forced online during lockdown, but it also tells the hidden story of how our colleagues’ children and families have become an increasingly integral part of all our working lives throughout lockdown.

“When we first saw his picture, we thought it would be wonderful to create a wider display of artistic reflections of those living in or missing Scotland during these tough times.”

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She added: “Our Reflections of a Nation exhibit will bring the tapestry’s wonderfully moving people’s story of Scottish history, heritage and culture (from millions of years BC to 2013) right up to present day, when our new visitor centre opens this summer.”

The winning artists were chosen by author Alexander McCall Smith, known for writing a number of book series including The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency.

Regarding the competition to be involved in the exhibit, Ms Maxwell-Forbes said: “We were overwhelmed with the great variety and volume of moving submissions that we received for this exhibit.

“It was incredibly tough to shortlist entries as the standard was so high, however we are delighted with the winners Alexander McCall Smith has selected.

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"They each tell of quite different reflections that I’m sure many of those who live in or love Scotland can relate to.

“I can also reveal today that the exhibition tells its own secret hidden story of how family and working life have become much more closely aligned during lockdown.”

Amateur Galashiels artist Margot Montgomerie also contributed to the exhibit.

The Great Tapestry Centre, in Galashiels, was set to open in spring of this year, but is now expected to be delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic. Its budget is £6.7 million.

The 143-metre-long Great Tapestry of Scotland is made up of 300 miles of wool.