Kilmartin Museum sews hope with new exhibition

Sewing Hope: Quilts for Climate Change is a collaborative venture, delivered by National Museums Scotland involving seven partnership museums from across Scotland - and Kilmartin Museum was one of them.

Funded by the Scottish Government’s Climate Engagement Fund, the project is all about about highlighting environmental sustainability and hopes for the future.

"The world is in the midst of a climate crisis affecting every living being on the planet. As humans we have a duty to do what we can to solve the immense challenges it will bring – a daunting task - but one we cannot ignore," said Kilmartin Museum’s Education and Volunteer Officer Jacquelyn Condie who ran numerous workshops at Kilmartin and as far afield as Lismore and Gigha to give as many people as possible a chance to get involved.

The workshops resulted in 240 quilt squares’ being made from felt and repurposed/donated fabric, buttons and threads by schools, explorer scouts, community organisations and members of the public. Jacquelyn then gathered a group of dedicated sewing volunteers, led by Julie Cobb, who pieced the ‘quilt squares’ together to form hangings for the exhibition at Kilmartin Museum.

The exhibition runs until July 1.

Jacquelyn added: “Kilmartin Museum is at the centre of Argyll’s amazing and internationally important
archaeology and natural heritage. Each one of the participants has reflected our unique
environment and heritage in their quilt squares.”

In 2026, the Argyll Quilts and other participants work will be part of a larger exhibition at the National Museum of Scotland.