Black Watch and the Tay helped to inspire design of Aberfeldy tartan

Jun 19 2009 by Andrew Welsh, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

TRADITIONAL music enthusiasts have devised a new tartan in honour of a picturesque Highland Perthshire town.

The Aberfeldy Tartan will be formally launched next month at the opening of a shop in the town’s central Square showcasing goods decorated in the unique design.

Artistically-minded Aberfeldy and District Gaelic Choir member Susan MacDonald came up with the idea of a new tartan, and she is looking ahead to celebrations starting on July 31 to mark the stylish plaid’s creation.

“We needed to find a nice tartan for new ladies’ skirts, but all the tartans available to us were too dark for stage appearances,” Mrs MacDonald told the PA.

“I couldn’t sleep for worrying about it, and then it occurred to me that as Aberfeldy did not have its own tartan, maybe we could get one designed.

“My friend and fellow choir member Kate Coaton and I both have loads of retail experience, so we approached Strathmore Woollens in Forfar who were marvellous and came up with a really great design.

“We’ve had lots of things made in it, from mugs to travel rugs, all really classy stuff, and competitively priced.

“It’s been a lot of hard work, but well worth the effort. Aberfeldy now has its very own tartan.”

The colours chosen for the Aberfeldy Tartan were chosen to evoke the watery Tay, the area’s heather and the hills, and also its strong association with the Black Watch Regiment.

All the colours are tied together with a delicate white stripe, representing the prehistoric ley lines which course the town’s surroundings and symbolise its creativity and energy.

A website dedicated to promoting the tartan, www.aberfeldytartan.co.uk, is being constructed to help further promote the initiative.