A NEW TARTAN is to be created with the help of a Moray woolmill to help mark the 250th anniversary of Grantown on Spey.
As well as the new pattern being designed anyone wishing to become involved in weaving it during the eight-day Grantown 250 – The Strathspey Seven Festivals is being invited to do so.
The Tartan is being created by Lindsey Patton of Tigh Na Weave, who explained that the festival is “very much a community event” and allowed her to combine her passion to become involved in the celebrations of her home town.
She added: “Historically Grantown was a weaving town so I thought it was very apt for the celebrations to have its own tartan.
“The new Grantown tartan is based on the old Grant tartan but it has a bright yellow flash going through it which reflects the Grantown 250 logo. The yellow stripe makes it more modern, but the design is sympathetic to the old Grant tartan too with the other colours looking quite ancient.”
Billed as being the Highlands “biggest ever birthday party”, the festival will focus on seven themes – Food and Drink, Heritage, Environment, Tourism, Trade, Music and Sport.
Lindsey will be taking part in two events throughout Grantown 250 which will be launched by former Runrig star Donnie Munro at Castle Grant on June 20.
She said: “We really want people to be involved, and I will be at the official opening ceremony at the site of old Grantown near to Castle Grant on June 21 with Knockando Woolmill.
“We will have two table-top looms on which people will be able to have a go at weaving the Grantown 250 tartan.
“I will also be at the Figgat Fair on June 27 and will have my big floor loom, again people will be able to learn about the craft.”
The idea for the event has been in the planning for well over a year. Event organiser for the Grantown Society, Bill Sadler, said: “Given the history of Grantown as a weaving town, I can see nothing more fitting than having a new tartan created especially for this event.”
The festival will close on June 28 with a host of events as part of a costumed Foundation Day Picnic in The Square which will include a “Great Grantown Cake Bake”.
To find out more about the food fair email: info@grantown250.org. People can also visit www.grantown250.org or find Grantown 250 on Facebook and Twitter.