Scottish Daily Express Sat. 18th Sept.

**Urchurdan** · 18th September 10, 07:57 PM

Excerpt from one of our Dailies, Matt can be justifiably proud.

**Ruanaidh** · 18th September 10, 08:22 PM

Once again, Congratulations Matt for a beautifully symbolic tartan.

**Dale Seago** · 18th September 10, 08:34 PM

Oh wowsers, that is just WAY cool!!

**MacMillan of Rathdown** · 18th September 10, 09:22 PM

Just awsome, Matt. Just awsome.

**JerseyLawyer** · 19th September 10, 09:23 AM

Congratulations, Matt. Well done!

Could we perhaps see a swatch of the tartan?

**M. A. C. Newsome** · 19th September 10, 02:20 PM

Thanks for posting this. It's been reported in many news outlets that Pope Benedict XVI wore the St. Ninian tartan, especially designed for his visit to Scotland on Sept. 16 (St. Ninian's feast day).

This BBC article has a nice color photo:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-11343139

I have to say, I don't think any tartan I have designed has been worn by a more prominent figure! And apparently we have Cardinal Keith O'Brien to thank for it. The good Cardinal is a big proponent of Scottish tradition and is really taken with the tartan. He was afraid that if he asked beforehand if the Pope could wear the tartan, he might be told that protocol prohibited it. So he simply tucked a scarf in the tartan under his cassock and when he got into the Popemobile with Benedict XVI, whipped the scarf out and presented it to His Holiness himself! :-)

Many people have been asking about how they can get something in the tartan. Ingles Buchan produced a limited number of ties and scarves, which were all given as gifts to various dignitaries last week. However, the demand has been great and I have confirmed with Ingles Buchan that they do plan on weaving more tartan -- including kilt weight -- and making it available to the public.

I've already set up a pre-order page here:
http://giftshop.scottishtartans.org/ninian.htm

Items should be ready to ship in November -- in time for Christmas!