THE Coat of Hopes was carried through the Borders last week on its journey from Newstead to Holy Island.
The garment – which aims to raise awareness of climate change – is a patchwork coat made, worn and walked in by numerous people over hundreds of miles.
It arrived in the region from St Mary’s Cathedral Edinburgh via Dalkeith, Middleton and Stow last month and went on display at the Great Tapestry of Scotland visitor centre as part of Doors Open weekend.
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Newstead woman Kath McDonald, 77, wore the coat as it left the village on Thursday morning.
She was accompanied by Francine Hardwick, representing Melrose Fridays for Future; Julie Stamford from London representing Christian Climate Action; Fern Mills from Prestwick representing the Quakers; and Claire Pencak from Ashkirk.
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The group walked to Smailholm then to Kelso, Coldstream, Horncliffe and Berwick-upon-Tweed.
Kath said: “It’s been wonderful, the walking has been fine and there’s been no rain. And it’s been lovely to meet so many local people on the way.
“Some have been really enthusiastic and stopped to chat about the coat and others have just smiled. We have had no hostility at all.
“But our message is all about raising awareness of the environmental crisis.”
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