ONE of the panels from the world's largest embroidered tapestry which depicts millions of years of Scottish history has been stolen.
Fife Cultural Trust has called on the public to help track down the a panel from the Great Tapestry of Scotland which illustrates the story of Rosslyn Chapel, which was taken from Kirkcaldy Galleries at around 10am on Thursday.
The Great Tapestry is one of the biggest community projects in the world, with 160 individual panels, stitched by more than 1,000 volunteers.
It has been on display at Kirkcaldy Galleries since June 20 and in that time over 50,000 people have been to see it.
Fife Cultural Trust said it is working closely with the police to review CCTV footage.
Alexander McCall Smith, co-chairman of The Great Tapestry of Scotland said: "This is a terrible blow for a project that has brought so much joy to so many people.
"I appeal to those who have taken this panel to return it. Words cannot express how shocked I am that somebody should damage in this way what is now widely seen as a great national treasure."
At 469ft long the tapestry uses 300 miles of yarn to show everything from the Battle of Bannockburn and the Act of Union to Andy Murray winning at Wimbledon.
Laurie Piper, head of external relations for Fife Cultural Trust said: “We are proud and delighted to be able to have the Great Tapestry here on loan, and to give the people of Fife the opportunity to experience this amazing artwork at first hand.
"The Tapestry has been exhibited all over the country and has been seen by over 300,000 people since it first started touring.
The people of Fife have taken the Tapestry to their hearts and we are now hoping that they will help us to bring it back where it belongs - alongside its 159 companions.”
The panel was designed by artist Andrew Crummy and lovingly stitched by volunteers in Midlothian. The panel took hundreds of hours to create and has now been stolen from the people of Scotland.
Members of the public who may have information regarding the whereabouts of the Rosslyn Chapel panel are urged to get in touch with the local police on 101 or Fife Cultural Trust on 01592 583204.
The remaining 159 sections of the tapestry will be open to the public to view at Kirkcaldy Galleries until September 20.
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