Plans for a National Tartan Centre

**figheadair** · 26th August 16, 11:41 PM

Many people, both at home and abroad, are surprised to learn that there is no National Museum for Tartan and Highland Dress, surely Scotland's unique cultural gift to the world. Having been involved with a number of private projects over the past 40 years I'm delighted to report that we may at last be on the cusp of achieving what has been a lifelong dream for many. This article in the Times headlines plans form the establishment of a National Tartan Centre in Stirling.

The STA is leading on this project and the selection of Stirling as the home of the Centre follows a detailed appraisal which examined a number of sites. We had no control over the article and the reference to Braveheart was probably inevitable, however,
Stirling is ideally suited as the location of choice for a number of reasons; it is geographically well placed with easy road and rail access and a gateway to the Highlands, contains a number of other important visitor sites (Bannockburn, Wallace Monument and Stirling Castle) and importantly, is close by to Wilsons of Bannockburn's George IV mill.

STA Blog. We are at the early stages of this exciting project which for the first time offers the opportunity to establish a world class Museum and Information Centre dedicaed to tartan and Highland Dress. If you're not a member the STA please consider joining and supporting our work to Preserve, Protect and Promote Tartan and Highland Dress.

**tripleblessed** · 27th August 16, 07:26 AM

Thanks, Peter, for this post. I will admit that when I saw Stirling as the location I had a moment of slight confusion much like I do
looking at your user name and pondering its correct pronunciation - why Stirling? Why not north of the Highland Line? So, thanks especially for the following paragraph explaining the thinking.

**figheadair** · 27th August 16, 08:09 AM

Here's the full article from today's Times.

Click image for larger version.

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**figheadair** · 27th August 16, 08:16 AM

Originally Posted by tripleblessed

Thanks, Peter, for this post. I will admit that when I saw Stirling as the location I had a moment of slight confusion much like I do
looking at your user name and pondering its correct pronunciation - why Stirling? Why not north of the Highland Line? So, thanks especially for the following paragraph explaining the thinking.

In pure practical trrms, there is nowhere in the Highlands that has the footfall to support sucn a Centre and Stirling, with it's connection to Bannockburn, is a logical and pragmatic choice.

**Jock Scot** · 27th August 16, 11:28 AM

I understand the reasoning, particularly when investing that sort of money. Somehow though, I regret that somewhere further North could not have fitted the bill.

**figheadair** · 27th August 16, 01:21 PM

Originally Posted by Jock Scot

I understand the reasoning, particularly when investing that sort of money. Somehow though, I regret that somewhere further North could not have fitted the bill.

Absolutely Jock but unfortunately that option was unrealistic for a number of reasons.

**fflex** · 27th August 16, 07:18 PM

I look forward to visiting this one day. I was born and raised in the Falkirk area, can see the Wallace Monument from my mums house with a pair of binoculars.

**ThistleDown** · 27th August 16, 07:33 PM

I would really like to understand the reasoning for Stirling as the choice. Can you help, Peter? Tartan being 'tartan' it seems that Inverness, Fort William or even Perth would have been much more reasonable. Your father had the old museum at Comrie and that was good, too. Moving tartan south of the Highland line seems political, on the surface, and I wonder that the Highland chiefs and clan associations haven't yet raised a stink.