Riders reflect on safety element of new tartan

Published on Sunday 7 June 2009 22:07

A NEW reflective tartan has been created to mark the Return to the Ridings, a major part of this year's Homecoming Scotland celebrations.

Laura Robson, who will take part in the Peebles Beltane Festival later this month, modelled the new fabric yesterday. It not only represents the history, heritage and colours of the Scottish Borders Common Ridings and Festivals but also helps keep its wearer safe by incorporating a reflective yarn.

The yarn has minute glass beads and reflects light back to the source, the aim being to increase night-time safety for the wearer. For equestrian events such as the Common Ridings taking place in the evening, it will make the riders more visible.

Each of the 11 towns participating in Return to the Ridings is represented in the tartan with the inclusion of their colours in the design's over-checks.

The Return to the Ridings is a series of 11 events taking place over the coming three months.

The cloth, designed by Emma Arthur-Daniels at Heriot-Watt University and woven by Robert Noble of Peebles, has been submitted to the Scottish Tartan's World Register.