Guardian of Scotland

myclantartan · 2nd October 09, 02:22 AM

Guardian of Scotland
A tartan that spans the centuries
Without doubt, two of the most important men in Scottish history over the past thousand years were William Wallace and Robert the Bruce. It is also unique that they lived at the same time and actually knew each other.
After the Battle of Stirling Brig’ in 1297, Wallace led his army back to the Ettrick Forest and its capital, Selkirk. The Royal and Ancient Burgh of Selkirk was described as “a very old town” by King David I in 1133. It was here, near the ancient Kirk o’ The Forest, that Bruce and the Nobles conferred the title “Guardian of Scotland” on the young man who had led the Scots in the rout of the English. All of Scotland’s ruling classes were there and it is fitting that a new memorial tartan has been designed and produced in Selkirk.
The designer of the new tartan, Gerald Reilly, a Souter of Selkirk, designed the “Guardian of Scotland” tartan to encompass the rich colours of Bruce and Wallace tartans, the true blue and scarlet of Selkirk and the Saltire of St Andrew.
Gerald says “What better reason could there be than to commemorate the meeting in Selkirk, of two of the greatest men in Scottish history, when one conferred this great honour on the other.”
“The Kirk o’ The Forest is a hugely significant historical site in Scotland’s story and not only did Wallace and Bruce worship there, the maternal ancestors of the US President Franklin D Roosevelt are buried there.
Once again The Bruce and Wallace meet In a weave of tartan with sett complete.

I hope you al enjoy this little story about my fathers new tartan "Guardian of Scotland"
Contact me if you are interested in hearing more about it.
Myclantartan@live.co.uk

**SFCRick** · 2nd October 09, 02:57 AM

Welcome, you should post the Tartan

**Paul** · 2nd October 09, 03:00 AM

cessna152towser already posted pictures of it:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/cessna152towser/3951268498

**Chas** · 2nd October 09, 03:15 AM

The information held within The Scottish Register of Tartans for the "Guardian of Scotland" tartan is shown below.

STA ref: 7835
STWR ref: none
Designer: Reilly, Gerald
Tartan date: 01/12/2008
Registration date: This tartan was recorded prior to the launch of The Scottish Register of Tartans.
Category: Fashion

Restrictions: Yes. Copyright holder - Gerald Reilly

Registration notes: Gerald Reilly's rationale was: "During my lifetime in the weaving trade, it was always my intention to design a tartan, which would combine the history associated with the Knighting of William Wallace (Guardian of Scotland) by Robert the Bruce at Selkirk's Kirk o'the Forest. The colours are a combination of the Royal and Ancient Burgh of Selkirk, the Clan Wallace and the Bruce tartan with the St Andrew's saltire in the background."

Regards

Chas