The Cameron Tartan

During his visit to Scotland Cameron offered a deal that would offer Scotland more powers if the Scottish people voted in favour of the Union. However he declined to say how much power he would transfer to Edinburgh, arguing that the vote on independence would need to be held first.  It seems unlikely that First Minister Alex Salmond will be content with a proposal lacking details. And those in favour of maintaining the Union argue that Cameron had ‘lit the touch paper for those in favour of devo-max – one of the options the SNP want to see on the ballet paper’.

Quality tweed is opulent and warm, a luxurious fabric that works for day and evening, casual and smart whether you’re in the town or country.

Brooke Taverner have developed  a wonderful range. Tailors’ of distinction since 1912 their formal and casual attire is of exceptional quality, jackets are expertly tailored and hardwearing with a fashionable cut that looks great dressed up or down. Choose from 100% Wool Checked Jacket in Oatmeal, Navy and Charcoal Designs.

When it comes to tweed, Harris Tweed is one of Scotland’s best loved fabrics. Protected by its own Act of Parliament Harris Tweed is protected by the Orb trademark which guarantees that it is produced on the islands of the Outer Hebrides. Known for its vibrant colours, hard-wearing properties and rich history it’s not surprising that it has international client appeal. Find out more about Harris Tweeds role in fashion, history, production methods and where it is produced -Guide to Harris Tweed.

You can find some lovely Harris Tweed items including jackets, bags and coats which bring to life one of Scotland’s best loved fabrics.

Beautifully tailored garments in quality Scottish materials include jackets, kilts

What is lovely about these fabrics is their development overtime, steeped in tradition they have been refined updated to suit modern styles without losing attention to detail and quality. Traditionally, colours in both tartan and tweed were achieved by using vegetable dyes which reflected the colours in the surrounding landscape, while vegetable dyes are no longer used the colours achieved remain true.

Scottish mills are renowned the world over for their tartans, choose items made 100% worsted wool for the perfect fit and guaranteed to last.  Loccharon of Scotland is one of Scotland’s most prestigious companies and the world’s leading tartan manufacturer, their tartans are made in the Border towns of Selkirk, Hawick & Langholm and Loccharon boast the world’s largest range of tartans. Once the tartan is produced standout items are traditionally stitched by kiltmakers for a luxurious finish that is made to your exact measurements and a delight to wear. Choose a Scottish company with a passion for quality and expertise in tartans.

Wearing a jacket, kilt or dress in tweed or tartan you want to ensure your accessories display beautiful workmanship. One company is guaranteed to meet high expectations, the Sgain Dhub Company established for over thirty years as one of Scotland’s leading suppliers of ornate Celtic items including sgain dhubs, quaichs – traditional Scottish drinking vessels crafted from a range of materials including pewter, palladium, silver and copper in a range of finishes.

And if you fancy checking out the drumers and pipers with attitude the Chillis are headlining at Edinburgh’s Hard Rock café on 15^th on March.

Get set for the next game - sporting kilts and rugby top specials

For him we have a choice of Scotland's finest sporrans, flasks and sgain dhubs as well as accessory gift sets. For sporting fans why not opt for a casual kilt and rugby top . If you’re going all out: a kilt or shawl in your loved-ones family tartan is a great option.

Rangers have had the greatest number of players from other countries over ninety, with the majority of these coming from France.

As well as making their mark in the Scottish Premier League two French players Gregory Tade and Kenny Gillet are helping school children in the Scottish Highlands to learn French. The move has delighted their French teacher who said she couldn’t think of a better way of encouraging the pupils to learn ‘They have been given so much more confidence by speaking to French people’ she added. The two players have found the experience enjoyable Tade said: "I am used to being taught by the gaffer to play football properly and I am back at school to teach kids French, or to encourage them to and Gillet added ‘This is a new thing for me. I try to talk to them and help them as well’.

There remain strong links between France and Scotland with many French people residing in Scotland and hundreds and thousands of French people visiting each year. In celebration of the relationship between the two countries those with French ancestry can wear a kilt that reflects their love of both countries.  The French supported the Stuart cause for decades and the Jacobite tartan is a popular choice.  French regulars fought to the last at Culloden Moor after the clans had broken and the Culloden tartan would honour the role they played. Alternatively they could wear the Auld Alliance tartan which commemorates the Auld Alliance ‘Vielle Alliance’  between Scotland and France Vieille Alliance which played a significant role in the relations between Scotland, France and England between  1295 and 1560.

.
 

Also up for grabs are a Lynx Mk7 Multi-Role Helicopter Flight Simulator and a Lightning T5 fighter jet!

If you're looking for Scottish regimental dress take a look at our range including military pleated made to measure kilts, sporrans, regimental Scottish glengarries and much more.

Until the end of January all items are 15% off!

Despite losing out to Djokovic the World’s number one Andy Murray can hold his head high. In what has been described as the match of his career the tenacious Scot was the equal of Djokovic until the last few games. If Murray, under the tutalage of his new coach Evan Lendl, can maintain his standard of play against the world’s top players he stands a good chance of claiming his first Grand Slam in the not too distant future...

Support your sporting heros in  style and go for a sporting kilt, sporran or even a glengarry.

Everything in store is reduced by 15% until the end of January!

It was following a visit to the Burns museum that Guest decided to make the wonderful musical gift much to the delight of the museum’s director Nat Edwards who is hoping to offer visitors a CD for visitors and raise funds for the museum. ‘(It would) be a way of getting audiences interested in Burns and illustrating his international, enduring artistic legacy’ said Edwards.

Burns legacy needs no introduction with Burns Suppers being held worldwide, devotees of the Bard might also be interested to know that there are two Burns tartans available; the Burns Commerative tartan and the Burns check tartan which can be ordered for made to measure kilts and ladies sashes and skirts. Take a look at the full made to measure range here.  

All made to measure items are reduced by 15% until the end of January!

The Burns Check tartan

The Burns Modern tartan

And it’s good news for Scots too with The Scottish First Minister Alec Salmond confirming that the extra days’ holiday would apply to Scotland.

The Jubilee marks the Queens sixty years on the throne (the only previous British monarch to have reigned so many years was Queen Victoria who reigned for 63 years). Queen Elisabeth II ascended to the throne when her father King George VI passed away.

In addition to the events planned commemorative medals will be issues to those who have made an outstanding contribution to the UK, another idea under consideration is a horse race in honour of the queen given her love of horses. The UK government has expressed an interest in exploring other ideas that honour the Monarch and given the close relationship between tartan and the Royal family we would expect to see a commemorative tartan being produced. Of course this would take on greater significance if Scotland became an independent country – in which case it could be a fitting parting gift!

Hadrian's Wall Heritage are lighting 60 beacons along the length of Hadrian's Wall - each beacon representing a year in the life of the Queen's reign and a series of events are being planned across Scotland to mark the milestone celebration. Alec Salmond said ‘The people of Scotland have a special affection for The Queen, and I am sure that they will welcome the opportunity to join in the celebrations being planned to mark Her Majesty's Diamond Jubilee’ he added ‘The Scottish Government is working with Buckingham Palace and the UK Government on plans for a series of events to be arranged to enable communities across the country to mark the Diamond Jubilee.’

There are many tartans closely connected with the Royal Family such as the Royal Stewart, which although the personal tartan of Queen Elisabeth II is worn widely, as well as those that are exclusive to members of the Royal family such as the Balmoral tartan. It is worn by HM Queen herself and, with the queen’s permission, can be worn by other members of the Royal Family. The only other person approved to wear the Balmoral Tartan is the Queen's personal piper. The Balmoral was designed by HRH Prince Albert, Royal Consort to Queen Victoria in 1857.  

The Queen wearing the Balmoral tartan

A photograph of the Iscotch by South African artist Zwelethu Mthethwa is currently on display at the National Portrait Gallery in Scotland as part of the Romantic Camera: Scottish Photography and the Modern World exhibition.

South African tartan

There is also a South African tartan, one of the 'tartans for Africa' collection, the tartan incorporates the colours in the flags of the two nations and reflects the friendship between Scotland and South Africa.