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Harris tweed is an iconic fabric, steeped in history. It's production is governed by an Act of Parliament, passed in 1993 which decrees that it must be made form wool dyed, spun and woven on the Outer Hebrides of Scotland. You can identify Harris Tweed by its Orb trademark which authenticates all Harris Tweed Woven. Harris is the second largest island of the chain, which includes fourteen other inhabited islands, there are also more than 50 other islands which are uninhabited. The inhabited islands have a total population of around 26,500. Weaving, including the production of Harris Tweed, is one of the main industries found on the islands alongside tourism, crofting and fishing. Across from the mountainous North Harris lies South Harris, presenting some of the finest scenery in Scotland with wide sandy beaches. In the mid-19th century, the Isle of Harris was owned by the 4th Earl of Dunmore, John Murray and his wife, Lady Charlotte. Both were born into wealthy Scottish families: he was an Earl and an officer, she was the daughter of one of Scotland's leading families. They saw the potential for selling, Harris Tweed produced by their tenants - to their acquaintances in London . Lady Dunmore in particular was instrumental in promoting Harris Tweed through her connections in the upper classes, particularly the hunting and fishing set. This marked the beginning of Harris Tweed as a commercial product. By the end of the nineteenth century, Harris Tweed was firmly established and much sought after, it had even become popular with members of the royal circle. As the popularity of Harris Tweed grew weavers began to produce their own versions and legal protection was sought to protect genuine Harris Tweed. The Harris Tweed Association was set up in 1909. In it's second year of operation it created the Orb trademark which is still used to authenticate all Harris Tweed. Harris Tweed Hebrides uses a range of more than 100 yarns which can be made up into thousands of patterns. There are a number of tweed weights: the heaviest is medium - weight used for furnishings and interiors. The most commonly used weight is the feather - weight which is popular for jackets. The lightest weight is superfine which is often used for ladieswear This year Harris Tweed received a boost with the accreditation of 100 Western Isles weavers. Thanks to two projects established by Cardonald College in Glasgow, a twelve week, course resulting in an SVQ qualification in Harris Tweed weaving was delivered in Stornoway, producing ten new weavers, most of whom have begun careers in the industry. The second stage of project recognised the skills of the existing workforce by means of an audit, to create an industry standard. A target of delivering one hundred accreditations has now been achieved and another twenty-five weavers have enrolled in the next course.

Demonstrating the fashion credentials of the kilt, Gwyeth Paltrow worn a fetching grey and black number for her Cameo appearance on the hugely popular TV show Glee. Inspired? take a look at our selction of 100% wool mini kilts. Their flattering and comfortable design make them perfect for any occasion. Made from 100% pure new wool they will be nice and snug in the winter months worn with thick tights and boots. The wide waistband to ensures a comfortably fit and traditional pleating give swing and sway - the flat panel at the front creates a smooth silhouette.  

Make it a family affair with our girls highland dresses ideal for occasions such as weddings and christenings. These super cute dresses feature a lace overlay collar and petticoat. We have also expanded our range of kilts for ladies - all in 100% wool - choose from billie kilts, denim and tartan kilts, bubble kilts. And if you're looking for something extra special our 100% wool tartan corsets have just come in!

Samuel Mayer with some of the children Grassroot Soccer is supporting The children are given knowledge, life skills and support to stay HIV-free, as well support to manage their condition if they are are infected. The nations passion for football has been harnessed to give hope to children living in difficult circumstances. Samuel Mayer, attended the opening ceremony and other matches with some of the children he works with as part of the scheme. Sticking to his Scottish roots - he wears his trademark kilt to every game. He said: "The kids I'm looking after are from rural communities in the area. They are all affected by HIV - Some may be infected and others may have family members who are infected. "These are very poor communities, and the children don't have a lot of hope in their daily lives - but they are obsessed by football. They grow up loving football and play wherever they get the chance, sometimes in bare feet with a makeshift ball. While the experience of watching world cup matches will live with them forever Samuel points out that the scheme doesn't stop with the end of the world cup "The programme doesn't just come for a few weeks and then leave the children behind. Our football coaches are often leaders in the communities and some play for local teams so they are looked up to." He said: "The kids love my kilt - they take one look at it and shout 'Scotland, Scotland'. Some call me William Wallace, and one even pointed at my kilt and shouted 'Ally McCoist'. It's a great ice-breaker with the children." If you're a fan of footie and tartans take a look at which competing countires have their own tartan, including South Africa, Japan, Australia and many more!

The religious diversity and tolerance in Scotland has been celebrated with tartans representing different religions. Jews and Scots have both gained from their encounters of the past two centuries and there exists a tolerance and respect based on shared traditions. In 2008 a Scottish rabbi created the world's first official Jewish tartan. Mendel Jacobs, worked with the Scottish Tartans Authority and religious scholars to design a tartan that would reflect Scotland's Jewish history. He said: "The Jewish people have been an integral part of Scottish culture for more than 300 years, with the first Jew recorded in Edinburgh in 1691. Talking about the colours in the tartan, he added "The blue and white represent the colours of the Scottish and Israeli flags, with the central gold line representing the gold from the Biblical Tabernacle, the Ark of the Covenant and the many ceremonial vessels." in addition "The silver is from the decorations that adorn the Scroll of Law and the red represents the traditional red Kiddush wine".   The Jewish tartan The cloth has been produced by Lochcarron of Scotland tartan, who have seen a global demand for the design from the estimated 15 million Jews around the world. At the time of the last census Scotland had a significant Jewish population of 6400. Many other religions have chosen to mark their close bond with Scotland. According to the Independent newspaper, Buddhism is the fastest-growing religion in Scotland A Samye Ling Buddhist tartan was designed for the Buddhist Centre and Monastery of the same name, situated in Eskdalemuir, South West Scotland. Buddhist tartan The tartan colours represent the five elements in the Tibetan spectrum - Earth, Air, Fire, Water and Space. In addition Abbot Lama Yeshe Losal Rinpoche, designed a simple, dignified red check tartan to line the robes of his monks and nuns He says "we are fortunate to be established as part of the Scottish community and wanted a tartan for our Sangha to show how much appreciation we have for the people, culture and tradition of Scotland". The Clergy tartan has been described as the only occupational tartan. Established as a tartan for clerics since 1850, the Clergy tartan does not represent any particular sect or denomination. While most popular with ministers of the Church of Scotland it is also worn by ministers in the Church of England, the Scottish Episcopal Church, and many other denominations. Clergy tartan The arrival of Sikhism in Scotland is relatively recent, while the first Sikhs settled in Scotland in the early 1920

This summer Apprentice star Alex Wotherspoon wed his childhood sweetheart Hannah Robinson. Showing great flair and business acumen Alex chose The Scotland Kilt Company to deliver outstanding outfits for himself and the rest of the wedding party. The Wotherspoon tartan was especially woven and the outfit custom made for Alex. The rest of the wedding party selected hire outfits in the Grey Spirit tartan, part of our prestige hire range. The wedding was featured in OK! magazine and picked up in the Scottish media. We get a lot of made to measure outfit requests from grooms who want to have an outfit that fits perfectly, and that comes in their family tartan, if this is rare we can have it woven just for them which adds to the specialness of the outfit. All outfits by The Scotland Kilt Company. All Images copyright OK!

Fashion students at Robert Gordon University's Gray's School of Art, in Aberdeen were invited to enter a competition to design a tartan for Donald Trump's

In 1970's during a flight to the US Johnny Cash found himself in conversation with a Major Michael Crichton Stewart, hereditary Keeper of Falkirk Palace in Fife, they discussed how the family name Cash originated in Scotland. This chance encounter sparked Cash's interest and on his return he consulted a genealogist. It turned out that Cash was indeed of Scottish descent and that his family could be traced back to a clan based in fife around the 12th century. - Cash's daughter in front of a street sign in the town where the family originated from. Family ties as well as the link between Cash's style of country music and Celtic music inspired him to visit Scotland on several occasions. His daughter Rosanne Cash explains "going back into his Celtic past made him realise that this was where he derived his tone of voice, the mournful quality to his music".

Booked the restaurant? Got the roses? How about adding something a bit different to the mix?   Our celtic jewellery in highly polished pewter would make fantastic romantic gift. As well as looking stunning each item has a traditional story behind it, a love token across the ages you could say.

Robert Burns was born in Alloway, south west Scotland on January 25th 1759, he is Scotland's most famous poet and celebrated worldwide. Known as Rabbie Burns, or The Bard as well as The Ploughman's Poet, due to his parentage; Burns was born to a family of poor tenant farmers. Despite their poverty Burns' father was a firm believer in Education and arranged for him to be tutored privately giving him a good education in French, Latin and Literature. When his father passed away in 1784, Burns and his brother took over the farm.