Event’s future uncertain

DESIGNERS and Teviot Valley residents are being encouraged to plan early for this year’s tartanthemed events in the valley and enjoy them, as it could be the last time they are held.

While this was the 10th year of the valley’s Tartan Time programme, its future was uncertain, coorganiser Trudie Marsh said.

The event was trialled in 2010 and then launched in 2011 as ‘‘Scottish Week’’, to celebrate the Rugby World Cup being held in New Zealand.

It has had various programmes since then, including events such as whisky tastings, Scottish dinners and ceilidhs, later becoming known as Tartan Time and being held over several days instead of a week.

But the core group of organisers was now so small it was difficult to keep the event going, Mrs Marsh said.

Organisers were therefore giving people a ‘‘headsup’’ Tartan Time might not run again next year, unless another group wanted to take the event over.

This year’s Tartan Time will include the third T&G Pipfruit Teviot Valley Wearable Tartan Art Awards.

The fashion event was first held as part of Tartan Time in 2014 and again in 2016. It was initially planned as a twoyearly event but put back until this year as it was thought this could be the last year of Tartan Time, Mrs Marsh said.

This year’s fashion event would feature several new categories, including an accessories category for secondary school pupils and a ‘‘blue and white’’ category inspired by the colours of the Scottish flag.

Also, the Canny Celtic Kiwi Creations category was so big last time it had been split into two categories this year — Kiwi Creations and Canny Celtic.

All garments must feature at least onethird tartan.

The fashion awards will be held on September 14, at the new venue of the C.A.J. van der Voort Packhouse in Ettrick.

The broader Tartan Time will run from September 13 to 15 and include a Teviot Tartan mufti day, kilt canter and a mini Highland games.