Midlothian Tartan

The first tartan designed by what was to become, International Tartans. David McGill (Eminent Tartan Designer) was commissioned by the Provost and Lead Councillor of Midlothian Council in 1997 to design a tartan to be used for events, for tourism and to build community for those with heritage in the region and those new to the region. 

The County of Midlothian or ‘Edinburghshire’ was once the largest electoral constituency in the United Kingdom and still comprises the City of Edinburgh, The Port of Leith and much of what is now West Lothian, East Lothian and the Borders. 

The colours of the Midlothian Tartan were chosen to symbolise the leading role which the county has played in shaping the history of Scotland. Green represents the predominately rural landscape of this ancient County: Dalkeith or ‘meadowvale’ in old Scots, is one of Scotland’s earliest inhabited places. The blue represents the Firth of Forth which forms the northern boundary and pale blue the rivers Esk and Almond forming its Eastern and Western boundaries. The Gold represent the grain which made Midlothian the breadbasket of Scotland and the black is the coal – first mined in Midlothian and until recently formed the backbone of its economy. 

Like many of our tartans it was designed to give those with ancestry, heritage or affinity with the region a sense of belonging, place and cultural identity. Representatives from Tourism, the Local Authority and Community Organisations chose the colours for this tartan. For use by anyone from or associated with the County of Midlothian with International Tartans consent.

Midlothian is a registered Tartan
STA ref:    2446
STWR ref:    2446