Rural community devastated by Great War creates tapestry to preserve its heritage

A rural community devastated by the loss of men and boys in the Great War has created a new artwork to honour its history and future.

Most of the male population Cabrach in Moray perished fighting in the war between 1914 and 1918, dropping from 1,000 in 1900 to around 70 today.

Their story features in a seven-panel tapestry that celebrates life in an area with a rich heritage, with an overarching theme of regeneration.

It depicts a map of Cabrach, its depopulation, culture, wellbeing and nature. It also illustrates tales of illicit and legitimate whisky production.

Tapestry honours men who died in the Great War STV News

Project coordinator Sam Dowdall of the Cabrach Trust said: “Most people said, ‘I’ve never stitched before, I can’t do this’.

“But with the help of other stitchers, everybody helping each other and bouncing ideas off each other, they’ve produced this amazing piece of artwork.”

Trustee Lynne Staples-Scott said: “We’ve had an amazing community of stitchers who’ve taken the panels out far and wide to various shows, and it’s really captured the imagination of people across the area.”

Around 1,000 stitchers took part, aged from five to 85. Ninth-generation Cabrach farmer Marianne Rasheed and her two young sons were among them.

New tapestry honouring Cabrach's heritage — New tapestry honouring Cabrach’s heritage STV News

Kirsty Duguid from Keith, who worked on a war memorial panel, spoke of her passion for the area.

“Just being in nature, the landscape, the stillness, the quiet,” she said.

“It’s just fascinating but emotional at the same time, seeing the houses that have been left behind and knowing that there are not as many families getting to enjoy living in a beautiful place like this.”

The trust has created discovery trails, promoted rural skills and established a fledgling distillery since it was formed in 2011.

Local families have helped stitch the tapestry STV News

Chief executive Jonathan Christie said: “We’ve got an incredibly skilled workforce now working here, permanent full-time employment anchored in the Cabrach, which is a massive indicator of what we’re trying to achieve going forward.

“We’ve got every confidence that our theory of change will be proven through these projects and through these investments.”

The tapestry will go on public display at the Cabrich on November 8.

There has been considerable interest in showcasing the tapestry, and talks are under way with Aberdeen Art Gallery, Elgin Cathedral and the V&A in Dundee.