Bespoke Tartan Designs

Not content with its existing portfolio of over 400 authentic tartan designs? Strathmore has designed, supplied and registered a number of new tartans for the home and overseas market.

Here are some examples shown below.

SKYE TERRIER

The Skye Terrier tartan was designed with Kate Smith to celebrate her love for the vulnerable Scottish dog breed, the Skye Terrier.

The tartan was designed to celebrate the history of the Skye Terrier, now a vulnerable breed and one of the oldest terriers in Scotland.

Purple, green, and orange dominates the landscapes of the Isle of Skye and light greys and black is inspired by the Skye Terrier’s coat.

“This is my story of determination and passion to promote the breed. Wear the Skye Terrier Tartan with pride to facilitate the promotion of our wonderful breed.” – Kate Smith

Strathmore

The name means the Big Valley and its fertile lands have made this area lying between the Grampians to the North and the Sidlaws to the South one the wealthiest farming areas in Scotland. The tartan is thus influenced by the brown and black of the rich soil, the green of the pastures, the red for the abundance of soft fruit grown and the gold to represent its prosperity.

Strathtay

The valley of the River Tay, Scotlands longest river, cuts its way majestically through from the highlands down into Central Scotland, finally passing through Perth and Dundee, flowing from its estuary out into the North Sea. The tartan is influenced by the dramatic autumn colours of the wooded banks in the upper reaches of the river valley, with the olive greens and mix of reds of the leaves cut by the silver blue and the green of the river as it flows swiftly through to the more pastoral waters of its estuary.

Strathtummel

Strathtummel is the valley of the River Tummel which spills from Loch Rannoch to flow through serene but rugged mountains and lochs on its journey south to merge into the waters of the Tay. The summer colours are echoed in the tartan, with the purple of the heather, the blue of the mountains and the green of the ferns in the foothills, while the white stripe depicts the enduring summer snowfields a reminder of winters past and still to come.

Strathdon

Nestling towards the western end of Aberdeenshire this valley carries through it the water of the River Don as it cuts its way through the hard grey granite, which is the building block of this rugged countryside. The tartan reflects this rugged terrain through the use of the Blue slate for the mountain scree the deep Maroon for the dark heathers and the Yellow Brown of the sandy shale revealed by the scouring at the river edges. The Azure line is the flash of the metal spears of the Men of Lonach on their annual march through Strathdon.

Aberfeldy

The tartan was designed initially for the use of the Aberfeldy & District Gaelic Choir for the 2008 Mod in Falkirk. The tartan is now available for wider use and has been approved by the Community Council to go on general sale in the local community as the Aberfeldy district tartan

Afghanistan

The Afghanistan tartan was designed to mark, but in no way celebrate, a conflict which started in October 2001 when nations locked in a worldwide struggle to weaken and destroy the opium industry, which plays such an immense part in fuelling the economy of global terrorism, and which persists in stifling the wealth and freedom of the Afghan people.
The Light and Dark Browns signify the parched and arid countryside of Afghanistan; the Anc Blue is representative of the impressive mountain ranges with the White for the snow bound peaks. The Blood Red is the tragedy of the human cost on all sides.

Chinese Scottish

The Chinese Scottish tartan was originally created to signify the special relationship that exists between Scotland and China and between the Scots and the Chinese community in Scotland. The inspiration for this tartan came from Madam Guo Guifang, Chinese Consul General, who once spoke of the unique Scottish tartan as one of the major tourist attractions for the Chinese and suggested the idea of creating a specific tartan for the Chinese people. Designed by Heather Yellowley of the Strathmore Woollen Company of Forfar and facilitated by Angus Council and the Scottish Tartans Authority, the tartan incorporates the colours of the Scottish Saltire together with the red and yellow of the Chinese flag. These are interwoven with green bands to symbolise the great co-operation between Scottish and Chinese botanists in the Botanic Gardens of Edinburgh – home to the world’s largest collection of Chinese plants outside China itself. The yellow crosses the red in five places which signifies the five stars of the Chinese Flag, the biggest and brightest being represented by the yellow cross in the middle of the red. The tartan was presented to Madam Guo on 6th April 2006 as part of the Tartan Day Celebrations which took place in the Scottish county of Angus

Royal Caledonian Curling Club

For centuries Curling has been a favourite game in Scotland. 1838 saw the birth of its first regulatory body, The Grand Caledonian Curling Club.

In 1842 Royal patronage was granted and it has since been known as The Royal Caledonian Curling Club (RCCC). In 2013, for the RCCC’s 175th Anniversary year, Strathmore created this corporate tartan blending blues, reds, gold and azure yarns in a classic composition of parallel and perpendicular lines evoking that of the curling rink itself and its Brand.

This sophisticated design reflects the traditions of the game and the fortitude of that Organisation.

University of Dundee

The University of Dundee tartan incorporates the colours of the Scottish Saltire (‘St Andrews Cross’), which reflects the historic association with St Andrews University, from 1897 to 1967.The red and gold of the crown of Scotland refers to the name of the Queen’s College, bestowed (in 1954) as a mark of royal favour. In 1967, the University of Dundee became an independent university, and the four main colours (red, gold, purple and blue) represent the four colleges of the University.

Freemasons Universal Tartan

This was commissioned by the Grand Lodge, Free & Accepted Masons of Utah for the use of all Masons worldwide. The tartan was designed by Anne Carroll Gilmour of Park City, Utah the colours relate to the various “Masonic organisations and appendant bodies.”

Guide Dogs

Registered Charity No. 209617 / SCO38979The Guide Dogs Tartan was created to represent an organisation with a UK wide presence and incorporates colours which represent links to the Association at various levels. The Scottish connection lies within the three centres found in Edinburgh, Hamilton (Glasgow) and Forfar (Angus). The predominant Blue and Gold colours in the sett are the corporate colours. The small red block together with the blue and white overstripes, represent some of the colours found in all four British flags.The dark green and black represent the colours found in the Forbes Tartan. Guide Dogs is built upon the support of our volunteers which links us to Lamont Forbes, a loyal volunteer from Forfar who was awarded an MBE for his services to Guide Dogs. In recognising Lamont Forbes, we recognise the importance of people to the organisation, all working together with a common goal.

Accenture Tartan

Designed and supplied for the Microsoft Burns Supper in 2008 and for future use as a Corporate tartan. The colours reflect the company’s corporate palate.

Accenture is a global management consulting, technology services and outsourcing company. Combining unparalleled experience, comprehensive capabilities across all industries and business functions, and extensive research on the world’s most successful companies, Accenture collaborates with clients to help them become high-performance businesses and governments.

School / University Tartans

We have also designed and supplied tartan to a collection of schools for uniforms which include Fettes College, Dollar Academy and St. Leonards School. The University of Abertay in Dundee also has its own tartan.

Pipe Bands

In conjunction with existing customers and Pipe Bands, we have supplied tartan to the following: University of California Riverside, Connecticut State Police, Glengarry Highland Games, Celtic Flame and City of Sheffield amongst others.

Canuck Place Tartan

The Canuck Place Tartan was created in homage to the Tait family of Scotland, original owners of ‘Glen Brae’ the heritage residence now known as Canuck Place Children’s Hospice.

In a collaborative effort with Strathmore, a pleasing design of muted colours has been created. The Tartan’s sett features the Canuck Place branded colours of green and mauve showing the green rolling hills and the light purple heather of Scotland.It is intended that while wearing the tartan you will be recognized by others of the Clan of Canuck Place, as part of the extended family. It will identify you as a person of caring, concern & compassion. The tartan has been registered with the Scottish Tartan’s Authority.

Corporate Designs

As well as our own Scotland 2000 and Strathisla, we have designed and produced a numbers of corporate tartans such as the Freemasons Universal, Black Gold, and the New Golf Club, St. Andrews, Scottish Lion, Dunfermline Athletic Football Club and the Forfar tartan.