Panels from the Tapestry of the Highlands and Islands to go on show at Dornoch as part of town's Fibre Fest

The 15th annual Fibre Fest will take place in Dornoch on the weekend of March 8-10 in four venues, Dornoch Social Club, the West Church Hall, Dornoch Community Hub and the Free Church.

The event kicks off with a talk entitled 'Scottish Tapestries and Beyond' by renowned Scottish artist Andrew Crummy. This will take place on Friday at 7.30pm in the West Church Hall.

Andrew has designed several major community tapestries, including the Great Tapestry of Scotland and the recently completed Tapestry of the Highlands and Islands.

This latter tapestry depicts the vibrant history and life of the region through its 57 panels and has been lovingly hand stitched by over 600 community volunteers from across the Highlands and islands. It was created as part of the Spirit of the Highlands and Islands project.

A selection of the finished tapestry panels will be displayed in the newly transformed Inverness Castle when it opens its doors as a visitor attraction in 2025.

The exhibition at Fibre Fest will give the public the opportunity for a sneak preview in the Free Church on Saturday, March 9.

There will be workshops in weaving, embroidery, crochet, sculptural knitting, dyeing, creative mending and spinning as well as a free workshop for children from P5-S1 in the ancient and noble art of embroidery – visit www.fibrefest.org.uk for details.

This year's competition is to create a wacky, colourful festival hat worthy of Belladrum or Glastonbury using recycled materials. This will be judged on Saturday in the West Church Hall on Saturday, so bring along your wildly original headgear by 12pm.

At 9.30am on Friday sees a flock of Shetland sheep enthusiasts will gather in the Social Club to share knowledge, experience and woolly tales.

The well-established Stashbuster table offers the chance to recycle unwanted fabric or find that special piece of cloth. Traders in all things textile will be in the Social Club and the West Church Hall.

A weekend of colour, fabric, warmth and friendship, everyone is most welcome.

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