Highland Fling

by Phillipa Turnbull

Discover Highland Fling, a joyful crewelwork kit recreated by Phillipa Turnbull from a remarkable 17th-century embroidery at Glamis Castle in Scotland. Bursting with stylised flowers, scrolling leaves and playful detail, the design captures the exuberance and colour of historic Jacobean embroidery.

Worked in beautiful crewel wools on linen, Highland Fling brings together a wonderfully varied collection of traditional stitches, making it an engaging project filled with colour, texture and historic character.

Order Now for Shipping 1st November Onwards

From Glamis Castle, Scotland
17th Century Design
Heritage-grade Materials
Easy-to-follow Instructions

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About This Design

The original embroidery behind Highland Fling can be found at Glamis Castle in Angus, Scotland. Dating from the 17th century, its bold flowers, curling stems and imaginative botanical forms are wonderful examples of the exuberant style associated with historic crewelwork. Phillipa Turnbull has carefully recreated a section of this remarkable textile, preserving the character of the original while creating a beautifully balanced design to stitch today.

Glamis Castle has been home to the Earls of Strathmore and Kinghorne for centuries and holds an extraordinary collection of historic furnishings, textiles and works of art. Highland Fling celebrates this rich decorative heritage, bringing together traditional crewelwork techniques, beautiful wool threads and the wonderfully playful character of the original embroidery.

Kit Includes

For Phillipa, the materials are every bit as important as the stitches themselves. Each element of this kit has been chosen with care by Phillipa, combining beautiful natural materials with the colours and textures needed to bring this historic design to life. The materials we use are selected with historic authenticity in mind and longevity, so your finished embroidery can become an heirloom of its own.
Image shown is Scottish Play Kit

Pure Linen Twill with printed outline
41 page step-by-step instruction booklet
A3 Stitch Chart
A3 Colour Poster
Appletons Wool Skeins
4 Needles (for double & single thread)
Our 'Essential Guide to Crewel Work' booklet
Glamis Castle Collection Booklet

Video Tutorial

Additional Kit Information

Supporting the Glamis Castle Collection

With every purchase of this design, £25 is donated directly towards the care of the original 17th-century embroidery at Glamis Castle. These funds are safeguarded specifically for conservation and the staff costs associated with caring for the Glamis textile collection. We are delighted that, by recreating and stitching this remarkable piece, our community can play a part in preserving the original for generations to come.

Find out more about Glamis Castle and plan your visit at www.glamis-castle.co.uk. Visiting historic textile collections is another wonderful way to support their preservation. When embroidery enthusiasts seek out these pieces, it demonstrates how greatly historic needlework is valued and helps encourage its continued conservation, research and display.

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Money Back Guarantee

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Exceptional Quality

Sustainably sourced materials supporting traditional crafts

Supporting the Glamis Castle Textile Collection

Each purchase of this kit provides much-needed income to conserve historic embroideries at Glamis Castle, in Angus Scotland.

View the Collection

About the Original Embroidery

The Glamis Crypt Crewel Work

Our Highland Fling and Scottish Play designs are inspired by 17th-century crewel work cushions preserved in the crypt at Glamis Castle. Dating from the mid to late-1600s, it is thought that the original embroideries may have been stitched by Lady Helen Middleton, the wife of the 3rd Earl of Strathmore, and her daughters Elizabeth and Grizel. Repurposed as cushions and a matching seat cover, the designs feature exuberant, oversized leaves, with a bold sense of movement and scale, all features that are characteristic of Jacobean embroidery.

Phillipa’s recreations capture the spirit of these historic textiles without being an exact replica. Rather than copying a single cushion, she has drawn together selected elements from across the suite of embroideries, creating a composition that feels both authentic and cohesive. The sweeping foliage and stylised blooms remain central, celebrating the confidence and creativity of the original makers. The result is a design that honours its Scottish heritage while offering today’s stitchers an approachable yet vibrant interpretation of 17th-century crewel work.