Edinburgh Tartan Parade
The Edinburgh Tartan Parade was such an amazing celebration of Scottish culture, creativity and identity — the kind of day that reminds you just how special tartan and Highland craftsmanship really are. Everywhere you looked, there was music, colour, tradition, and so much pride, but it also felt incredibly modern and full of life at the same time.
For Thistle & Cloth, it was such a special experience to see some of my handmade designs out on the streets of Edinburgh. One of my favourite moments was seeing our beautiful Princess Merida (thank you, Ellis!) wearing a flowing Black Watch tartan dress as part of the parade. We also introduced the Outlandish tartan, which I designed alongside Eric Murdoch, with two fantastic kilts making their debut.
Another huge highlight for me was creating a bespoke dress for the parade Chief Marshal Eilish McColgan in the World Fair Trade tartan. Although she wore it later at the after-show street party rather than during the parade itself, seeing her in the dress honestly felt surreal. Eilish represents Scotland with so much strength and pride, so being asked to create something for her was a real honour. Watching her enjoy the evening wearing something I had made by hand was one of those moments that makes all the long hours and hard work completely worth it.
I also had the absolute pleasure of creating a dress for the star of the evening, bagpiper Ally the Piper, using the most incredible Dark Douglas tartan woven by Lochcarron of Scotland. Seeing Ally performing in the dress, surrounded by music and celebration, was such a proud moment. Both Ally and Eilish looked spectacular, and I had to pinch myself that this was real. Never did I think I’d be making dresses for rock stars and Olympians!
That’s what makes tartan so special to me. It always changes depending on who’s wearing it, how it moves and the setting around it. Every piece tells its own story
Bringing a Highland Perspective to Edinburgh
Although Edinburgh is so closely connected to Scottish culture and heritage, coming from Sutherland in the far North Highlands brings a slightly different perspective to my work.
A huge part of Thistle & Cloth has always been about representing the more remote parts of the Highlands that are often overlooked. Living and working in a small Highland community has shaped so much of my vision — from training the next generation in traditional skills to using our local landscapes and businesses in photoshoots.
Events like the parade are such an important opportunity to share a little piece of our corner of Scotland with a wider audience.
The designs featured during the parade reflected the balance I always try to create between traditional tartan and modern Highland fashion. I want the pieces to feel elegant but wearable, structured but comfortable — clothes that people can actually live in and feel good wearing, not just admire in photographs.
One of the loveliest parts of the day was speaking to people who stopped to ask about the tartans, the designs and the craftsmanship behind the garments. Those conversations really matter because they help keep traditional Scottish textile skills alive and appreciated in a modern world.
Why Traditional Craftsmanship Still Matters
There’s definitely been a growing appreciation for slow fashion and handmade clothing in recent years, and tartan fits naturally into that movement. Every tartan carries history, identity and personal connection in a way very few fabrics can.
At Thistle & Cloth, every piece is created with genuine care and attention to detail. Whether it’s a bespoke kilt, a tartan dress or a more contemporary Highland-inspired design, everything is rooted in traditional craftsmanship rather than mass production.
That’s why events like the Edinburgh Tartan Parade feel so important. They celebrate not just Scottish fashion, but the skill, creativity and passion behind it too.
A Day I’ll Never Forget
Walking through Edinburgh surrounded by tartan, music and thousands of people celebrating Scottish culture was genuinely unforgettable.
There was such a strong feeling of pride throughout the day — pride in our heritage, our creativity and the way tartan continues to evolve while still staying deeply connected to Scotland’s history.
For me, seeing Thistle & Cloth represented alongside so many talented people who care passionately about keeping Highland craftsmanship alive meant the world.
A massive thankyou to everyone who pitched in last minute to walk with team Thistle and Cloth, Ellis, Loida and Parris for beautifully modeling their dresses, and the boys Graeme (and his excellent dancing skills), Adam (and his viking accessories!), Gunner (a true Viking) and Craig whose Cossack dance needs to return next year too! i think we are all looking forward to next year already!
More than anything, the day reminded me that tartan is never stuck in the past. It continues to grow, inspire and tell new stories with every generation — and seeing that happening right there on the streets of Edinburgh felt incredibly special.