Tartan is an iconic part of Scottish culture and you might want to take part in it by creating your own tartan! Whether you want to pay tribute to your Scottish heritage, celebrate an important personnal or family event, or create a unique tartan for your brand, event or organisation, we’re here to help!
Create your own tartan
A tartan is a unique checkered pattern in which the colours, proportions, and symbolism each carry a particular meaning. At Auld Alliance Kiltmakers, we offer two different ways to create your tartan, designed to meet the needs and expectations of every client. In all cases, the result is a one-of-a-kind tartan, created especially for you and officially registered with the Scottish Register of Tartans. Whether you prefer a fully bespoke process or a more interactive, creative experience, we provide two distinct options to bring your tartan to life.
Our two tartan design offers
OPTION 1
Bespoke tartan design
(REMOTE)
Our bespoke tartan design service is a fully personalised experience, created from scratch and shaped by your story, values, or project. Through email exchanges and video calls, we take the time to refine every detail with you until your unique tartan fully reflects your vision. This process is ideal for families, businesses, organisations, or anyone wishing to commission a tartan intended to be woven and used for kilts or other creations.
OPTION 2
Interactive tartan design workshop
(IN PERSON OR REMOTE)
For those seeking a more direct and creative experience, our interactive workshop allows you to design your tartan in collaboration with us in just a few hours. Guided by our expertise, you begin with a selection of original tartans we have pre-created, and together we adapt colours, structure, and proportions until your personal design takes shape. Whether at our workshop, in a private venue in the centre of Edinburgh, or via videoconference, you will enjoy the excitement of seeing your tartan come to life in real time with your final design completed.
Comparative Table
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| OPTION 1 BESPOKE TARTAN DESIGN (REMOTE) | OPTION 2 INTERACTIVE TARTAN DESIGN WORKSHOP (IN PERSON OR REMOTE) | |
|---|---|---|
| Creation process | Designed entirely from scratch, based on your story, values, or project | Created from a base of original tartans we have pre-designed, then adapted with you (colours, proportions, balance) |
| Format | Exclusively remote (email exchanges and video calls) | Your choice: remote (videoconference) or in person (at our workshop or in a private venue in central Edinburgh) |
| Duration | Several weeks to several months, depending on the exchanges | Interactive session of 2 to 3 hours |
| Participants | Suitable for individuals, families, organisations, associations | 1 to 3 people at our workshop; up to 6 people in a private venue; flexible online |
| Purpose | Generally intended to be woven, for kilts or other creations | Designed mainly as a pattern-creation experience, but can also be woven and transformed afterwards |
| Registration | Registered with the Scottish Register of Tartans, with an official certificate issued to the client | Registered with the Scottish Register of Tartans, with an official certificate issued to the client |
| Weaving / products | Possibility of weaving (choice of yarns/colours) and tartan-based orders | Possibility of weaving (choice of yarns/colours) and tartan-based orders |
| Price | From £1,500 (depending on project) | From £850 (fixed prices depending on the format) |
OPTION 1
Bespoke tartan design
(remote process)
FROM £1500
We will make the whole process very easy for you, so all that you have to do is to focus on the creative aspects and enjoy this meaningful creative journey.
1 – Fill out the contact form. We will send you an estimated cost based on these information.
2 – We schedule an in-person meeting or a call with you, to understand your specific needs, tastes and inspirations.
3 – We will come up with several initial tartan designs, that will be adjusted according to your preferences, until you are happy with the final option.
4 – We will work with one of our local weaving mills to finalise the design and send you a printed version of your future tartan, alongside yarn samples.
5 – When we have your final approval, we will work with the mill to launch the weaving process, and will register your tartan to the Scottish Register of Tartans.
6 – Finally, we will deliver your tartan along with any bespoke kilts and handmade accessories required to your door.
Your tartan is now ready to be proudly shown to the world! It will be unique, personnalised to your image and you can use it to create beautiful garments, stunning kilts and meaningful accessories.
OPTION 2
Interactive tartan design workshop (in person or remote)
FROM £850
Process of your tartan design workshop:
- Introduction to tartan – We explain the history, structure, and principles of tartan.
- Choosing colours – You select the colours you would like to see in your design.
- Exploring patterns – We present a selection of original tartans we have pre-created.
- Selecting the base design – You choose the pattern that inspires you the most.
- Customisation – We integrate your chosen colours into the selected design.
- Refining the pattern – We make as many adjustments as necessary to refine your tartan, within the 3-hour workshop.
- Validation – Once your design is finalised, we validate it together by signing a document confirming your choice.
- Official registration – After the workshop, we register your tartan with the Scottish Register of Tartans and you receive your official certificate.
Note: If you wish to make further modifications beyond the 3-hour session, these can be carried out afterwards by email and will be invoiced separately.
Practical Information:
Choose the day and time that suit you best to book your interactive tartan design workshop.
When booking, please also select the format that works for you: a remote session via videoconference, a private session at our private workshop (up to 3 participants), or a group session in a private venue at the Institut Français d’Écosse, Royal Mile (up to 6 participants).
We will then send you a confirmation by email, together with a payment link and all the practical details.
If you have specific requirements, or if you would like to discuss alternative options or conditions, please use the contact form below and we will get back to you.
Book (up to 6 people)
Number of people
Up to 6 people (max recommended)
Duration
2-3 hours
Location
• Videoconference
• Our private workshop (1-3 people max): Meadowbank, Edinburgh. 20 minutes by bus from Princes Street – stop Piershill Square West (exact address sent by email)
• French Institute of Scotland : West Parliament Square, Edinburgh EH1 1RF, Royal Mile
Price
£850*
*Price per group, including the creation of a tartan and its official registration.
A wonderful story: we discovered two passionate and lovely kiltmakers who gave us the opportunity to create and register our own tartan. Beyond our beautiful wedding outfits and the registration of our tartan, we also met two wonderful people whom we now consider friends.
Thank you, Mathilde and Jonathan 🙂
Barbara & Nathanaël
LET US HELP YOU CREATE THE TARTAN OF YOURS DREAMS.
You can also write us directly at:
contact@auldalliancekiltmakers.com
They trusted us
Cancellation and Payment Policy
(for option 2 : Interactive tartan design workshop)
(for option 2 : Interactive tartan design workshop)
Full payment is required at the time of booking.
Once your reservation is confirmed, you will receive an invoice and a payment link for a bank transfer. The invoice can be issued in British pounds (GBP), euros (EUR), Swiss francs (CHF), US dollars (USD), Canadian dollars (CAD), Australian dollars (AUD) according to your preference.
Payment covers 100% of the total amount.
50% of the total amount is non-refundable.
In case of cancellation:
– 7 days or less before the workshop date: no refund will be issued.
– More than 7 days before the workshop date: a 50% refund of the total amount will be issued.