Speak Their Name Memorial Quilt Tour Comes to Edinburgh

The Speak Their Name Memorial Quilts are coming to Scotland this summer, offering a powerful opportunity for remembrance, reflection and conversations about suicide.

On Saturday 1 and Sunday 2 August 2026, seven Memorial Quilts from across the UK will be displayed at Edinburgh Waverley Station as part of the Speak Their Name Summer 2026 Tour. The free exhibition takes place just before the Edinburgh International Festival begins and invites visitors to pause, reflect and remember the lives represented within each quilt.

Created by people bereaved by suicide, every quilt is made up of individual squares that honour someone who has died by suicide. Using fabric, embroidery, photographs and personal mementoes, each square tells the story of a life that mattered and continues to be remembered.

Scotland’s Only Memorial Quilt

Among the quilts on display will be the Lothian Speak Their Name Quilt – currently the only Memorial Quilt in Scotland.

Made by volunteers and bereaved families from across Edinburgh, East Lothian and Midlothian, the quilt is a lasting tribute to people who have been lost to suicide and the loved ones who continue to remember them.

Since it was created, the quilt has been displayed at venues across Scotland, including the Scottish Parliament, and was featured as part of the Baton of Hope display at Westminster last year. Its appearance at Edinburgh Waverley Station continues its journey of helping to raise awareness, reduce stigma and encourage open conversations about suicide.

You can learn more about the Scottish quilt and follow its journey through the Lothian Speak Their Name Facebook Group.

A Tour That Encourages Conversation

The Edinburgh exhibition forms part of the wider Speak Their Name Summer 2026 Tour, which visits venues and events across the UK, including Birmingham, Glasgow, Southport, Cornwall, Brighton and London. The tour aims to create safe spaces for remembrance while helping people understand the impact suicide has on families, friends and communities.

Ashley Redsell, Director of Speak Their Name, said:

“Our Memorial Quilts are a powerful reminder that every life matters, and every person deserves to be remembered. Behind each square is a loved and missed individual whose story continues through the people who care about them. We hope the Summer 2026 tour will create opportunities for connection and conversation, helping to break down stigma around suicide while offering comfort and hope to those affected by it.”

Whether you have been personally affected by suicide or simply want to learn more, everyone is welcome to visit the exhibition, spend time with the quilts and reflect on the stories they tell.

For more information about the full UK tour, visit the Speak Their Name Summer 2026 Tour page.

If you’re struggling

If thoughts of suicide are affecting you, it’s important to know that you don’t have to face them alone. Support is available, and things can change.

Our Are You Thinking About Suicide? guide brings together information on what you can do right now, how to tell someone how you’re feeling, and where to find support in Edinburgh and across Scotland.