Tapestry artist given an MBE in New Year list

Andrew Crummy talked of his shock at being awarded the MBE. Photo: Alex Hewitt.

The designer of the Great Tapestry of Scotland, which has found its permanent home in Galashiels, has been awarded the MBE in the new King’s first New Year Honours List.

Artist Andrew Crummy receives his award for ‘Services to Art and Cultural Heritage’ in Scotland.

Perhaps best-known for his work on The Great Tapestry of Scotland, Andrew has in fact been the artist behind 25 separate tapestry projects (starting with the Prestonpans Tapestry and currently working on the Spirit of the Highlands Tapestry and the Dundee Tapestry amongst others) and a wide range of murals and public art.

Andrew told The Southern of the moment he opened the letter informing him of his award.

He said: “I was in shock … in fact I think I still am.

"I even had to call them to check it was for real.

"Hopefully this award will help to bring people to Galashiels to see the tapestry.”

Born in Craigmillar, Andrew’s introduction to art was through The Craigmillar Festival Society and the work of its founder, his mother, Helen Crummy – herself an MBE.

Community and public art in all its forms inspired and fuelled Andrew’s own drive and this is evident in so many of his projects where he works collaboratively with fellow artists, writers, historians, local experts, stitchers and community groups, local councils and government.

More than 1,000 stitchers worked with Andrew on The Great Tapestry of Scotland, and more than 600 have engaged with the current Spirit of the Highlands project.

Some are experienced researchers, artists, crafters, but some have never picked up a needle in their lives. For many, the communities built through and around this activity not only encourage engagement in the arts but can offer long-lasting friendship and relief from loneliness and resulting struggles with mental health. Through his work, Andrew reaches individuals of all ages and all backgrounds and sees the true potential in them all.

In 2022, the newly-designed building housing The Great Tapestry of Scotland opened to the public in Galashiels. The tapestry now sits in a specially-designed gallery and tells the story of the Scots from ice age to current times and celebrates our country.