Tartan hues pay tribute to Bay City Rollers star

Tartan-clad Seventies pop sensations the Bay City Rollers are synonymous with the Scottish fabric.

Years of co-ordinated outfits and scarf-wielding fans secured tartan as a vivid trademark for the band. So there could hardly be a more fitting tribute to the band’s late bassist Alan Longmuir, who sadly died earlier this year, than a tartan created in his honour.

Officially recognised by the Scottish Register of Tartans, the design – created by fan and kiltmaker Lesley Stirrat – has now been formally approved and registered.

Ms Stirrat created the tartan with the help of Longmuir’s widow Eileen, weaving personal references to the musician’s life into the design.

Eileen said: “When Lesley, an independent kiltmaker, and her friend Gillian suggested weaving a special tartan in memory of Alan, they asked me about his favourite colours. It was very emotional. That they would make such a kind gesture really touched my heart.

“I was delighted to be presented with it at Alan’s book launch on Sunday at The Tartan Arms in Bannockburn on behalf of all the Longmuir family.

“It’s called The Official Alan Longmuir Tartan: Proud Son of Edinburgh.”

The entry in the register says the strongly purplehued plaid is “designed as the official tartan to honour Alan Longmuir, an original and founding member of the Bay City Rollers”.

The colours were chosen for their sentiment: green for the Ochil Hills; purple for the heather; dark blue symbolises the Bannock Burn; blue was a favourite of Alan’s and light red representing pink, a favourite of both designers.