The Scottish Diaspora Tapestry goes on display in Scotland

The Scottish Diaspora Tapestry (Scottish Gaelic: Grèis-bhrat Diaspora na h-Alba) is on display in its entirety for the first time in Scotland and is being exhibited at St Giles' Cathedral in Edinburgh until 18 May 2017. The Tapestry is a community arts project that celebrates the Scottish Diaspora through embroidery. Involving communities around the world it recognises Scottish heritage and culture, and the people and places which connect Scotland to its global diaspora. Work on the panels began in 2012. Measuring 538ft (164 metres) in length, there are 305 panels that were embroidered in 34 countries. Scots have migrated all over the world and had a significant impact on the areas where they settled. The work reflects a range of historical events, many showing Scotland from the perspective of explorers and emigrants. It pays homage to the determination, courage and achievement of Scottish migrants and their descendants across the centuries. 

Pictured below is a panel from Canada showing The Hector (Stitchers: Alison Jackson, Maureen Fisher, Barbara Grantmyre):

In the later 18th century the Highland Clearances forced many Gaelic families to leave Scotland. The first ship of Hebridean colonists arrived on “St John's Island" (Prince Edward Island) in 1770, with more following soon after. In 1773 the Hector landed in Pictou, Nova Scotia, conveying 189 settlers. Most were from Lochbroom on the Isle of Skye. In 1784 a law restricting land-ownership on Cape Breton Island was repealed and soon Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia were predominantly Gaelic-speaking. It is estimated that more than 50,000 Gaelic settlers immigrated to Nova Scotia and Cape Breton Island between 1815 and 1870.

Aig deireadh an 18mh linn, thug na Fuadaichean air mòran teaghlaichean Gàidhealach Alba fhàgail. Ràinig a’ chiad soitheach de choloinich à Innse Gall “Eilean Naoimh Eòin” (Eilean a’ Phrionnsa) ann an 1770, le tuilleadh a’ leantainn gu luath às dèidh sin. Ann an 1773, chaidh an Hector air tìr ann am Pictou ann an Alba Nuadh a’ giùlain 189 luchd tuineachaidh. Bha a’ mhòr-chuid à Loch Bhraoin ann an taobh siar na Gàidhealtachd. Ann an 1784, chaidh lagh a’ cuibhreachadh seilbh air fearann air Eilean Cheap Breatainn a thilgeil a-mach, agus ann an ùine ghoirid bha Eilean a’ Phrionnsa agus Alba Nuadh sa mhòr-chuid a’ labhairt sa Ghàidhlig. Tha tuairmse gun robh còrr agus 50,000 neachtuineachaidh Gàidhlig air in-imrich ann an Alba Nuadh agus Eilean Cheap Breatainn eadar 1815 agus 1870.