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The Duff Highlanders & The Braemar Gathering
05/09/2026
Today, Saturday 5th of September, Trustees John McLeish and Peter MacDonald will once again march with the Duff Highlanders at the Braemar Gathering.
The Duff Highlanders made a remarkable return in 2025, reforming after almost 90 years and once again taking their place at the Braemar Gathering. Historically drawn from the Mar Estate, the Duff Highlanders were once a familiar part of the Gathering’s traditional March.
Their revival brings an important piece of Upper Deeside’s heritage back to life. The newly reformed Highlanders first marched again into the 2025 Braemar Gathering wearing specially woven tartan - reconnecting today’s community with a tradition stretching back generations.
More than a ceremonial revival, the Duff Highlanders’ Society has been established to preserve and promote Highland dress, history, music and traditions while supporting the Braemar and wider Upper Deeside community.
Photo Credit: E.F. Williams
Reformed Balmoral Highlanders
18/08/26
His Majesty The King’s arrival at Balmoral this week saw the historic return of two Balmoral Highlanders, parading for the first time in 90 years. In keeping with their forefathers, each Highlander carries a ceremonial Lochaber Axe and wears a Highland uniform which takes inspiration from the original uniform worn in the late 1800s.
The kilt and plaid are made from the Balmoral Glen Gelder tartan which was designed by The Scottish Tartans Authority at the request of His Majesty in 2024.
Photo Credit: Jane Barlow/PA
Congratulations to our Chair
13/06/26
A heartfelt congratulations to the Chair of The Scottish Tartans Authority and Chief Executive, The Gordon Highlanders Museum, John McLeish on being awarded an OBE in The King's Birthday Honours List for services to Heritage and to the community in Aberdeenshire.
This acknowledgement of John's contributions across a wide range of heritage organisations at local and national level is richly deserved.
The Glen Affric Tartan
10/05/26
Throughout 2023 and 2024, The Scottish Tartans Authority worked with industry professionals to better understand the history of the Glen Affric tartan, before eventually bringing it back to life to once again be enjoyed by audiences today. The original Glen Affric tartan fragment was displayed in the V&A Dundee's exhibition "Tartan". Prior to this it was tested and discovered to be around 500 years old, the fibres dating back to between the 1500 - 1600s. This is Scotland's oldest true tartan.
Throughout 2023, The House of Edgar worked closely with The Scottish Tartans Authority to bring the Glen Affric tartan back to life - recreating the sett and colours as closely to the original as possible. Launched for sale in January 2024, the response to Glen Affric was and continues to be incredible.
Members can now enjoy Peter MacDonald OBE's full research paper of the Glen Affric tartan in our exclusive members blog. Become a member to discover more.
Welcome to The Scottish Tartans Authority Website
05/04/2026
We are very proud to launch our new website. Thank you for your patience while our online presence was developed, and thank you also for your continued support for The Scottish Tartans Authority over what has been a very exciting few years!
Our latest news section will be updated over time with everything we have achieved and been part of over the past while - all visitors will be able to enjoy these bulletins. Members will benefit from a host of exclusive articles - from research to latest updates, first looks at exhibitions inclusions and detailed insights into items from our extensive archive.
You can learn more about memberships here. We invite past and perspective members to get in touch via our membership page contact forms to re-start or begin memberships. Going forward we will be offering two categories - life membership and industry membership.
We look forward to sharing much more with you!
