Beauty of the River Tay captured by new exhibition of quilts

Heritage quilts celebrate the unique features of hidden secrets around Perth and the River Tay

The hidden secrets of the landscape around Perth and the River Tay are celebrated in a new exhibition that combines craft skills and music.

Perth Piece Partners have created 15 new heritage quilts which take a fresh look at some of Perth’s local favourite views and bring the past’s forgotten stories to life.

Commissioned by the Tay Landscape Partnership, the quilts celebrate some of the region’s unique features, such as Pictish stones, hidden ancient orchards and views from Kinnoull tower.

The quilting group’s exhibition opens on at the AK Bell Library in Perth tomorrow, and runs until March 31.

Shirley Paterson, scheme manager for the Tay Landscape Partnership, said: “The quilters chose their own design and it is absolutely wonderful to see the many different styles, colours and ideas they have created.

“The quilts really bring the river, Perth and the Carse of Gowrie to life.”

Norma Hill, secretary of Piece Partners, added: “The collaboration with Tay Landscape Partnership has been enjoyable and interesting and group members have once again risen to the challenge of designing and making unique quilts which demonstrate a variety of skills and techniques.”

The quilts are supported by new poems and songs about the local heritage, written by Ceilidhmakers.

An audio exhibition accompanies the quilts to allow visitors to hear some of these songs and poems being performed.

Ceilidhmakers have worked with more than 450 people, including three primary schools and four care homes collecting stories, performing ceilidhs and recitals throughout 2017.

This intergenerational project has allowed many local stories to be shared for the future.

Piece Partners meet fortnightly on Tuesday evenings at the West End Bowling Club in Gray Street, Perth, from September to March, to sew, chat, share ideas and demonstrate or learn skills and techniques.

Anyone interested in the coming session can contact Norma Hill at nrhill54@gmail.com or on 01738 562113.

The Tay Landscape Partnership is a Heritage Lottery funded scheme led by Perth and Kinross Heritage Trust that aims to increase opportunities for people to have access to, and learn about the landscape and its heritage.

The quilts really bring the river, Perth and the Carse of Gowrie to life. SHIRLEY PATERSON TAY LANDSCAPE PARTNERSHIP

Picture: Steve MacDougall. Elaine Blair and Shirley Paterson with some of the quilts.