Stirling-based Ogilvie Construction has been appointed to build a £6.7m visitor centre in Galashiels for The Great Tapestry of Scotland, which tells the story of Scotland through one of the world’s largest tapestries created by 1,000 people from across the country.

Work is expected to start in the coming weeks at the town centre site, which will be transformed with the creation of the new building. It has been designed by one of Scotland’s leading architectural practices, Page \ Park, with new images of what it is expected to look like now available.

The visitor centre – which is accessible from Edinburgh in less than an hour via the Borders Railway - will have a wide range of interactive displays and activities. There will also be exhibitions and events for tourists and locals alike, as well as a gift shop, cafe with local and seasonal produce, and educational facilities for all age groups.

The Great Tapestry of Scotland – which will be managed by charity Live Borders - will kickstart a new future for Galashiels, alongside a number of other projects which will provide a host of benefits for the town and the Scottish Borders.

These include the new town trail which will include a sculpture dedicated to Galashiels sweet seller Robert Coltart who wrote the world famous children’s lullaby Coulter’s Candy (Ali Bali Bee). Significant improvements to the town centre are currently being taken forward in partnership with community groups, and a masterplan which aims to transform Galashiels and encourage investment in the wider Borders economy is being progressed.