The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Well plaid, Holmes! New tartan inspired by fictional detective
A descendant of Sherlock Holmes author Sir Arthur Conan Doyle has created a tartan inspired by the famous fictional detective.
The Sherlock Holmes tartan has now been approved by the Scottish Register of Tartans.
Tania Henzell, a great-great-stepgranddaughter of the author, worked with weavers the House of Edgar to finalise the design and have it registered.
The tartan is predominately green and blue, reflecting Conan Doyle’s Irish and Scottish heritage, highlighted by a lighter blue line to represent the Reichenbach Falls and a yellow line to represent the “deductive clarity” of Holmes.
Ms Henzell said: “Tartan has great design appeal and it was a fascinating experience coming up with a pattern that reflects who Conan Doyle was as well as tying in elements that are entirely Sherlock.
“I was very fond of my step-greatgrandmother Jean, who was Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s youngest daughter, so creating the tartan has been quite an emotional and nostalgic process, but also very rewarding.
“My background is also in fashion design, so I’m thrilled to be able to use my knowledge to create this unique family tartan.”
Holmes was created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, who was born in Edinburgh and gained his medical degree from Edinburgh University.
The new tartan is not only being used for deerstalkers and capes, but also on ties, cushions, cummerbunds, handbags, waistcoats and trousers.