Miss Scotland models pieces of the specially created Hororata tartan
A specially created Scottish tartan took pride of place last week, at a special fundraising event in Hororata, one of the villages worst hit by this year’s earthquake in New Zealand.
The new tartan travelled the 11,500 miles to the village, which is about an hour outside of Christchurch, to raise much-needed funds during ‘The Gathering’ – a fundraising event celebrating the community’s Scottish ancestry and culture.
To demonstrate the versatility and panache of this new fabric, a group of creative Scots got together with support from reigning Miss Scotland Jennifer Reoch to show off some specially made pieces.
After hearing what the Scottish textiles sector had created to help the locals rebuild their community, renowned Glasgow based photographer Neil Macmillan decided to enlist the help of some creative Scots to showcase the tartan in its full glory.
Taking to the grounds of Cameron House, Loch Lomond, Neil took some stunning pictures of Miss Scotland in a Hororata shawl and scarf which were created by Colin Brown of Ingles Buchan. Miss Scotland also wore a dress from Ailsa Rendell (AJR Designs) with hair styling by Taylor Ferguson and makeup by Sarah Michael.
These beautiful pictures were welcomed by the Hororata Community Trust who are currently developing a range of items made in the tartan to continue their fundraising efforts for the village. Everyone in the New Zealand village has been overwhelmed by the support and generosity from the Scottish people nearly 12,000 miles away.
Initially the community contacted the Scottish Tartans Authority (STA) to investigate registering a tartan for the inaugural ‘Gathering’ event. After hearing the extent of the destruction in the area, particularly to the local church, Brian Wilton Director of the STA rallied the troops in the Scottish textiles sector.
Wilton – one of the world’s leading tartan designers – created the new tartan which was chosen by the Hororata people from four different options. The National Records of Scotland donated the registration of the new design in the official Scottish Register of Tartans. And Selkirk-based weaver Robin Elliot, from Andrew Elliot Ltd donated the first weaving of the unique tartan and gifted 30 metres of the fabric to the Hororata community.
STA director Brian Wilton said: "It's not often that we get the chance to help kith and kin overseas and we were delighted to support Hororata in their campaign to repair their earthquake damaged town. We were also very pleased at immediate offers of further help in weaving, registering and modelling the tartan so beautifully.
“It shows that despite the great distances, the ties between Scotland and her extended family around the world are as strong as ever."
The Hororata tartan incorporates specially selected colours which represent the area including red to represent the native Rata tree after which Hororata was named and yellow and black to symbolise the local sports teams and school.
