JILL McDonald admires the Great Tapestry of Scotland as it goes on display at the Anchor Mill in Paisley.

The textile artwork is made up of 160 panels and depicts 420 million years of Scottish history. The bright idea of author Alexander McCall Smith, the tapestry was hand-stitched by 1,000 volunteers. It took around two years to complete and required more than 65,000 hours of stitching using 300 miles of wool.

It attracted 30,000 visitors when it was on show at the Scottish Parliament last year.

It will be hanging at the mill until June 8 and will form part of a celebration of Scotland's thread industry and heritage in a town which was once known around the world for weaving and thread manufacture.

Picture: Colin Templeton