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As part of the Olympics a huge concert will be held at Edinburgh Castle is to celebrate the UK’s hosting of the Olympic Games this summer and more than 7,500 free tickets will be handed out! The torch relay will coincide with the show at the castle which is to take place on the 13th of June. Eight -hundred Scots have been selected to carry the flame during its eight day tour and you’ll be sure to see many wearing their tartan with pride. The tour will take in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Dundee, St Andrews, the Borders, Inverness, Orkney, Shetland and the Western Isles.

This summer don’t miss the outstanding display of massed pipes and drums of the 63rd Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo which will run from the 3rd until the 25th August. Set against the stunning backdrop of Edinburgh Castle this a fantastic event for all the family. This is a hugely popular event offering one of the finest displays of music, spectacle and tartans in the world. This year ‘s programme features Switzerland’s Top Secret Drum Corps, the Norwegian Armed Forces as well as pipe bands from Australia and New Zealand among the thousands of performers. On show will be a vast number of regimental tartans which will highlight Scotland's colourful traditions to an international crowd. Get you tickets early as this event is sure to sell out!

Ceilidh Culture celebrates of all Scotland’s traditional arts scene. During March and April over thirty organisations will contribute to events which showcase home grown talent from children’s workshops to concerts and award-winning folk clubs. As part of the festivities there is also the annual traditional street fair on which takes place during the Easter weekend at Castle Street. Attending events inspired by Scotland’s traditional culture there is no better time to display a flash of tartan, take a look at our selection of Kilts.

A new collection - Old Town Stories -which illustrates Edinburgh's past has been launched. The fascinating collection allows you to explore the heritage and history of auld reekie through an extensive collection of stories, pictures and maps. To see how Edinburgh has changed over time, find out more about Women of Achievement and key figures in Scottish history such as Robert Louis Stevenson visit The resource has been put together by Edinburgh's Library and Information Services and focuses on materials from 1850–1900. Those interested in this period can also research clans and tartans which played a significant role at this time. Many clan tartans date from the 19th century. Until the early 19th century, most of the Lowland and Border clans did not identify themselves by specific family tartans other than that of their local district, however after this time they adopted characteristics of Highland culture which they continue to use to the present day.  

Make history come alive with a visit to a Scottish castle and soak up the heraldic atmosphere of Scotland’s turbulent history. Scotland’s historic castles are the seats of ancient clans and symbolise the importance of Scottish clans to this day. Whether you are paying a visit to a world famous castle such as Edinburgh or Stirling castle or planning a trip to one of the smaller castles each will capture the imagination and give you a fantastic insight into Scotland’s history. Here are a few of our favourites. Located on Loch Duich, Eilean Donan castle is an archetypal Scottish castle its beauty, and spectacular setting, has made it the most photographed castle in Great Britain. Athough it was destroyed during one of the Jacobite risings in the 18th century, it was then restored to its former glory some two centuries later and is the headquarters of the Clan McRae. Eilean Donan has long been associated with the Macraes and was a stronghold of the chiefs of Clan Mackenzie. There are over twelve tartans associated with Clan MacRae including the MacRae, Hunting MacRae, MacRae of Conchra or Sheriffmuir, and the Dress MacRae. Blair Castle is the ancient seat of the Dukes and Earls of Atholl and home to the Atholl Highlanders, the last remaining private army in Europe. The Atholl tartans are the Murray of Atholl and the Murray of Tullibardin ancient. Dunvegan is the oldest continuously inhabited castle in Scotland and has been the ancestral home of the Chiefs of Clan MacLeod for over 800 years. Dunvegan Castle continues to hold a Clan MacLeod Parliament every four years to which MacLeod’s from all over the world return to their ancestral home for this special family gathering. Members of the clan Macleod wear the MacLeod of Lewis or the MacLeod of Harris tartan. Inveraray Castle dates from the 18th century and is home to the Duke of Argyll, Chief of the Clan Campbell, whose family have lived in Inveraray for over five centuries. Clan members can wear the Maclean of Duart tartan As well as such strongholds owned by the largest clans such as the Stewart, Douglas, Keith, MacDonald, MacLean, MacLeod, Campbell, Gordon, Forbes and Sinclairs there are many Scottish castles, tower houses and fortified houses that belonged to smaller lairds and landowners such as the homes of the Blackadder, Carruthers, Garden, Heron, Livingstone, MacAulay, MacFarlane, Oliphant, Porterfield, Riddell and Weir clans. Visiting the ancestral home your clan or family name bring to life the traditions, origins and stories associated with your clan. To find out more about the tartan associated with you clan contact us and we will be happy to advise you. We also offer an extensive range of clan crested items.

The Welsh cilt has become a popular addition to Welsh national dress as a sign of Celtic identity. The St. David's tartan brithwe Dewi Sant is one of the most popular, there are also individual family tartans including tartans for Edwards, Williams, Jones, Thomas, Evans, and Davies. The Welsh National tartan incorporates the colours of the Welsh national flag and was designed to symbolize Wales links with other Celtic nations – certainly a cause for celebration. Take a look at our selection of welsh products Dydd Gŵyl Dewi!

Take a look at the new and improved Scottish Register of tartans - In addition to containing tartan designs registered with the Scottish Register of Tartans it incorporates pre-existing tartan designs held by the Scottish Tartans Authority and the Scottish Tartans World Register. There is a very well put together search facility where you can select multiple fields including –colour, designer and restricted tartans. It also allows you to on colours and the percentage of each colour used. Once you have established the tartan you are after take a look at our 8-yard kilts which can be woven in all but the restricted tartans. For more information our team of advisers will be happy to help!

Hearts supporters have something to celebrate with their club becoming the first football club in the UK to receive the CommunityMark award for a second time running. The prestigious award was bestowed on the club in recognition of their support to local issue including primary school breakfast clubs, fundraising efforts for Maggie’s centre as well as offering coaching courses for kids. Tam Hendry, at the CommunityMark spoke warmly about the club’s endeavours: “The renewal of our CommunityMark award is a fantastic achievement and shows that Heart of Midlothian is a club which has the wellbeing of the wider community at its very core. That this prestigious award is only given to a small number of premier brand UK companies is evidence of the quality and commitment of Hearts to being a positive force in the community.” Heart’s supporters can get kitted out for their team’s next match with casual kilts in a range of tartans - perfect for the match!

Here we showcase the best in Scottish crafts that use beautiful fabrics which capture the spirit of the Highlands. Tartan and Tweed are synonymous with Scottish artisanship, heritage and style as well as keeping the cold at bay! Scotland’s love of fashion has strong links to its iconic fabrics and the range of styles and colours available make them very versatile. So what are the best available? 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.

The Red Hot Chilli Pipers entertained the Murrayfield crowd in Scotland’s first match of the Six Nations this Saturday- not quite the performance the home crowd were after – the players, not the pipers! We’re hoping for a better show from Andy Robinson’s team in their next game against Wales at the Millennium Stadium on the 12th of February. And if you fancy checking out the drumers and pipers with attitude the Chillis are headlining at Edinburgh’s Hard Rock café on 15th on March. Get set for the next game - sporting kilts and rugby top specials