Tattimole had launched a new tartan and some more Burnett items are in the pipeline
Sherlock’s elementary roots inspire new tartan
Banner readers may recall reading about Tattimole items in an earlier edition. The owner, Tania, who was my god-daughter, has brought out a new tartan – Sherlock Holmes
Sherlock Holmes, the famous fictional detective, has become the first literary character to have his own tartan approved by the Scottish Register of Tartans.
Holmes was created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle who was born in Edinburgh and gained his medical degree from Edinburgh University. And it is a Conan Doyle descendant who has highlighted these Scottish links through creation of a uniquely Scottish textile for his most famous character.
Rather than a study in scarlet, the Sherlock Holmes 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 Sherlock.
It was designed by Tania Henzell, a great-great step granddaughter of the author, who worked with weavers the House of Edgar to finalise the design and have it registered.
Tania at the Aboyne Games in her Sherlock Holmes tartan
She 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 great grandmother 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.”
Sherlock Holmes has a distinctive style, which owes much to early cinema portrayals. Actor Basil Rathbone is often considered the quintessential Holmes, playing the detective in a string of classic movies, starting with the Hound of the Baskervilles in 1939 and continuing throughout the 1940s.
The deerstalker cap and Inverness cape became so iconic of Holmes that even television’s most recent interpretation of the character, played by Benedict Cumberbatch makes ironic reference to the headwear.
The new tartan is not only being used for deerstalkers and cape but ties, cushions, cummerbunds, handbags, waistcoats and trews are all being produced in the new wool fabric. It is perfect for sleuthing on the moors, uncovering grisly deeds in stately homes or whiling away an evening in a Baker Street apartment.
Sherlock tartan products are coming soon and will be available from the website: www.sherlockholmestartan.com. Certain items will be made to measure and new products will be added to the website on an ongoing basis.
May 22nd is Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s birthday and Sherlock is just as popular now as he was a hundred years ago! Films, TV series, societies and groups about Sherlock are growing worldwide. As each year passes the works of Conan Doyle become more popular, even after 159 years of his birth.
Whilst Sherlock Holmes may well be the choice of some readers, we have a plan to include some more of her products with Burnett Tartan Watch this space