Neighbours Share Tartan Fame - and Fortune!
Issued: 15 Febuary 2010
A family-run woollen business in Angus has won a lucrative contract to produce a tartan for a town in neighbouring Perthshire, and is already receiving orders from all over the world.
The Strathmore Woollen Company in Forfar was approached by two members of The Aberfeldy & District Gaelic Choir, Susan MacDonald and Kate Coaton, who felt the ladies in the choir needed to upgrade their performance attire and present a better, fresher image on stage. "The obvious choice for us would have been the Black Watch tartan" said Susan" but it didn't show up against dark stage backdrops. We wanted something with local significance – and that's when we decided Aberfeldy should have its own tartan!
"We approached several companies, but the folk at Strathmore were simply brilliant, and helped us every step of the way, from design to production. It's a lovely tartan, and sales have been terrific, not only in fabric goods, but also in a range of goods from mugs to mouse-mats! The Aberfeldy tartan hit the ground running, and can already be found in America, Canada, Australia, Africa, and the Middle East!"
For a tartan to be registered, the colours must reflect the area and the traditions and local heritage it represents– and the colours chosen for the Aberfeldy tartan evoke the watery Tay, the heather and thehills, and the strong association with the Black Watch Regiment.They are tied together with a delicate white stripe, representing the prehistoric ley lines which course the Aberfeldy surroundings and are said by many to be the reason for the area attracting a wealth of creativity and energy.
At its official launch in July 2009, the new Aberfeldy Tartan was hailed by MSP John Swinney as "a great marketing and promotional tool for Aberfeldy". The tartan material is available from Strathmore Woollens in Forfar info@tartanbystrathmore.co.uk and goods can be viewed on aberfeldytartan.co.uk, dedicated to sales and promotion of the tartan.
The Aberfeldy Tartan
