The Chinese Scottish tartan originally commissioned by Fife Angus Council and designed by Heather Yellowly of Strathmore Woollens is about to be introduced to 80 million Chinese viewers when a programme on Scotland is shown next Sunday on Central China Televison’s Movie Channel . The Chinese film crew spent 2 weeks in Scotland filming our most popular tourist attractions and historic sites.

In Gretna Green  Jessica the presenter interviewed Joyce Young the designer of Tartan Spirit the trendy new brand promoting tartan in a fun and contemporary collection of accessories and ladies clothing from cashmere jumpers through to evening wear and wedding dresses. Joyce’s first company By Storm is award winning in the wedding industry and her new brand Tartan Spirit won an award for innovation from the DTI the first month it was launched.

“ We have 20 tartans available in our standard collection but have taken to heart the promotion of the Chinese Scottish Tartan. The Chinese people are so warm and friendly and I feel a great affinity towards them. Jessica loves the two outfits that we made for her. This is an extract from her e mail  “ I can enjoy Scottish love when I see your design, really, both tartan make me feel so warm inside.  On this Sunday I'll leave Beijing for Cannes film festival, and I was invited to Scottish Night, you imagine I'll look so confident in your tartan.”

At the beginning of June a  very special person went  out to Beijing to attend a Gala Dinner . Brian Johnson accompanied by his mother Jeanette is a gold medallist in Judo. This charming young man has fought against adversity having fallen 50 feet from a window when he was 6 years old. Never expected to survive and having come back to life when his heart stopped twice ,he suffered some brain damage and has battled to lead a normal life for the past 11 years. Brian is a shining example of bravery and determination and a as well as being at the top of his field in Judo is a role model that many young people today could aspire to.

He has already carried the Olympic torch in London and will be in Beijing to carry the torch again at the beginning of the Olympic games. Brian’s trip  was sponsored by Samsung  and Tartan Spirit have made a very special waistcoat in Chinese Scottish Tartan and a tartan thistle which he wore  at the Gala dinner.  His mum wore  a stunning evening dress in black contrasted with the tartan too. They are great ambassador’s for Scotland and love wearing the new tartan. Brian is receiving a medal at the 60th NHS Anniversary on Saturday 5th at the Concert hall.
The feeling and emotions roused by the tartan and the people involved with it are exactly what it is all about. It is the reason that the tartan was designed in the first place. To recognise the friendship between Scotland and China with each colour having a true significance.

“My experience working with this tartan has been remarkable it is bringing so many people together.” says Joyce

“We have been invited to join the Visit Scotland trip to Beijing in September where the marketing executive for Visit Britain is keen to promote Tartan Spirit to the media in China.”

Scottish singer Katie Targett  Adams who is so popular in China that she has relocated  to Hong Kong will be wearing  a Tartan Spirit dress in Chinese Scottish  silk tartan when she plays at the ambassador’s residence in Beijing during the Olympic  games. This week she was flown over to Scotland to play at the Great Scots Gala Dinner at Cameron House.

“ It is a very exciting time in the development of the Tartan Spirit brand” says Joyce “ I can envisage us having to spend a lot more time out in China as we promote the brand and Scotland.
  
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