We have fallen in love with Edinburgh born upcoming singer songwriter Nina Nesbitt. And Nina seems to have fallen in love with ScotlandShop and is pictured here in our MacQueen tartan jacket. Her music has been described as sweet, feisty folk-pop and Nina’s popularity has soared after she posted her self-penned songs on YouTube.

Standing On One Leg was one of the first songs she wrote about growing up and a chance meeting with Ed Sheeran at a radio gig in Edinburgh last summer gave her a break into the music business and a gig in Glasgow. That gig led to an invitation to support Sheeran on tour and a guest spot at his show at Shepherds Bush Empire.  Example then stumbled across Nesbitt’s striking, stripped-down cover of his song Stay Awake on YouTube and with a little help from Twitter booked Nina as support on three arena dates last September.

Boy will be Nina Nesbitt’s first major label single out in October. We can’t wait!

Every week the Sunday Express magazine features an eclectic mix of unusual products in their must-have “Get this!” feature. With spring finally in the air and the daffodils out the page is full of colour and summery florals. Alongside the Vivienne Westwood heels and Dior nail polish is our fabby bright check lambswool rug pictured in the pinks and soft faded green of the Lilliesleaf check.  We make scarves in the same colourway in case you have fallen in love with this gorgeous check. Other colours in the range are the lime green check of the Bellspool, purple check Troon and orange check Appletreehall. Don’t you love that name? All of the names are local places in the Scottish Borders where these rugs are woven. Designed in Scotland, made in Scotland and even named after places in Scotland. S Express magazine does the Highland Fling…in the lowlands of the Borders!

We have been making ex-Scottish international rugby legend Doddie Weir’s tartan outfits for a few years now and always have a laugh when 2 days before he is due to be on TV or host an event Doddie comes on the phone and says he needs a new outfit and what can we do to match the theme. Somehow we manage to charm the poor seamstress to pull it all together in time and this year’s commentary job for Melrose Sevens was no exception. The home of rugby sevens is Melrose which is only half an hour from our offices and the boss’ husband even played there himself in days gone by. The colours of Melrose RFC are black and yellow so this seemed an obvious choice for Doddie’s outfit and a guarantee he wouldn’t be missed while carrying out his pitchside interviews. The Barclay Dress Modern is the tartan in case you are wondering. A little bold for some but we think you were looking good Doddie. Next up is a suit made in panels of 2 different tartans. We have seen it done on the catwalk and it is really smart and a little bit different. Watch out for photos of the finished article or contact us if you have someething a little bit special you would like to create.

We are always on the lookout for tartan and checks in the press and fashion world and this spring we have spotted so much use of fabulous heritage fabrics. Paris and Milan hosted our favourite Shows and we have pulled together a little round up of each to show just how the world’s top fashion designers like to use some of our beautiful Scottish fabrics. Grey is always such a favourite in tweed and tartan and my favourites have to be the cute little Albert Ferreti dress (could this be Pride of Scotland Silver or Patriot Weathered?) and the long Versace winter coat which has to be Menzies Dress tartan.  Red always makes an appearance and Saint Laurent, Celine and Moschino do not disappoint using variations of the Stewart tartan to great effect.
This is the way tartan is being worn on the catwalk and to be honest for once it is not so outrageous that you couldn’t wear some of these outfits yourself. We have also been inspired by these shows and your feedback and are planning our next photoshoot at this moment based on a “How to wear your tartan” theme. Get ready for lots of ideas about mixing and matching your tartans with checks, plain colours and tweeds for day and night, smart and casual. Tartan and heritage fabrics are in for 2013 and we can help you be on trend….without even knowing it!

We love what this customer has done with the Girl’s Silk Tartan Dress and wanted to share the photos of the finished article with you. Instead of the cream or ivory sash we normally use this customer requested a black sash to give a more sophisticated look for a slightly older girl. We all know how difficult it is to please teenagers and this definitely gives the dress a completely different look.  When we make these custom made items for you there is always the opportunity for you to add your own spin or detail. Just ask!  The tartan used here is the MacKay Modern.

We love Kate Middleton’s tartan style as she made a 2 day visit to Scotland this week. Her trip included watching a training session at the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome in Glasgow and a tour of the Emirates Arena which will be the main venue for the Commonwealth Games in 2014.  Definitely in the “glow” stage of her pregnancy Kate and Will will be joined by Charles, the Duke of Rothesay, to visit Dumfries House in Ayrshire to see the opening of the Manoukian Foundation, a new outdoor centre for uniformed youth services and schools.

Kate almost always wears a flash of tartan when she comes to Scotland and this coat is one of our favourites. If you want something similar then the Patriot Ancient or Weathered come close and of course we can make you a tailored tartan jacket just like this one!

Good Homes are creating stylish looks for Spring in their April edition. Recreating a light and airy modern look while retaining a cosy, homely feel is something many of us would like to achieve. This has been done by combining a simple neutral coloured linen sofa with a clever combination of bright and subtle tones. Our aqua Shetland wool throw looks great draped over the back of the sofa. If the evenings get cool at least you know it is also warm enough to snuggle up under too!

If you don’t really do subtle then the great thing about having a neutral sofa is you can transform the room into a really bright, summery space with some really bold accessories. Try one of our Bright Check Lambswool Rugs in fabulous strong pinks, oranges, purples and greens.

The catwalks for Autumn/Fall fashion have been teeming with tartan, checks, tweed and heritage style. Classic tailored looks with full skirts from Prada and Saint Laurent, bold colours and boxy shapes from Celine, Stella McCartney and Thom Browne and our favourite ruffles and bold blues from Alberta Ferretti. In fact that royal blue is popping up throughout the collections as a great contrast to subtle greys showcased here by Tommy Hilfiger and Victoria Beckham. Our favourite tartans with this fabulous royal blue include Dunlop Ancient, Comrie Navy Blue, Patriot Modern and Thompson Blue Dress.

You can create your own Fall 2013 look in tweed or tartan with one of our Tartan Jackets. We make them as standard in a lightweight 10oz wool but you can request that we make yours in a heavier weight 13oz or 16oz wool if you want a really warm winter jacket. Go on release your inner designer and create a unique, classic piece for your wardrobe.

Thank you very much to our customer Performance Ride cars from Aberdeenshire who sent us these fabulous photos of our tartan ribbon on their wedding cars. The Pride of Scotland Platinum ribbon matching the bridal party’s kilts looks so smart on the front of the fabulous cars. If you would like a wedding car with a difference, something luxurious, super-sporty or sophisticated then Performance Ride describe their choice of chauffeur driven luxury vehicles as “diverse; discerning or daring” and we are all dying for a trip in one of them. Of course it doesn’t have to be a wedding…just choose a special occasion!

If you are using your own car for your wedding then we have the following top tips to help you to attach the ribbon securely and avoid having your tartan flap around and fly off halfway to the wedding. Fold the full length of ribbon in half so that you know where the centre of the ribbon length is. Place the centre point of the ribbon under the bonnet of the car or through the front grill. Then guide one end of the ribbon across the top of the bonnet to the drivers side door with the door open. Pull enough ribbon through to reach the sun visors above the front driver seat, and tie the end of the ribbon to the bar holding the visor. You can tuck the end of the ribbon under the visor to keep it out the way. Or tie it to the grab handles on the inner roof of the car. Then do the same with the other side.

We have created so many things with our tartan ribbon for Scottish weddings, birthdays, anniversaries and special events.  Most importantly we can, along with a stock range of polyester tartan ribbon, make up various widths of ribbon for you in almost any tartan. We use a lightweight wool fabric and edge it so it does not fray and you can use this ribbon for table decorations, bouquets, cakes and of course wedding cars. So do not despair if you wear a MacLennan or Christie or Watson or other random tartan….we can help! If you tartan isn’t on the list for wool tartan ribbon please email us or give us a ring as we can often source it for you.

ScotlandShop is delighted to be one of the main sponsors of the Royal Caledonian Ball this year. The 165th Royal Caledonian Ball will take place on 3rd May 2013 at Grosvenor House Hotel and promises to be a great celebration of Scottish roots and of course lots of ceilidh dancing. A champagne reception followed by dinner sets you up for the Pipes and Drums at 10pm with dancing, a bite of breakfast, and more dancing to the Simon Howie Broadcasting Band until 3.30am.  Time to start practising your pas de basque!
The dress code is strict and part of the fun of the evening is that everyone must wear full formal evening dress. Ladies  must wear full length evening dresses and clan sashes are encouraged. So if you need some silk or lightweight wool tartan fabric to make your evening dress then we are here to help. We can make sashes in all of the clan tartans but we can also make so many other lovely accessories to make your outfit extra special. Tartan rose brooches, clutch bags with a matching silk and velvet stole or wrap. But best of all you can of course have a pair of gorgeous tartan shoes to match your husband’s kilt. We make them with leather lining and extra padding in the sole so you really can dance all night long in complete comfort.
Gentlemen attending the ball must wear full highland evening dress or evening dress. Along with your traditional kilt outfit we can of course custom make any accessories you need to finish off your look. Tartan is our thing and we would be disappointed if we can’t help!