Loretto's new tartan

Loretto School launches their own tartan

A new Loretto School tartan design to be launched for the start of the new academic year

Posted by Stephanie Broad | August 06, 2015 | School life

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Loretto School is about to launch its own new tartan in time for the start of the new term.

The tartan, produced by Kinloch Anderson in Edinburgh, is based on the Musselburgh Tartan, the district in which the school is located. This has been combined with colours from the MacThomas Tartan, which relates to the founder of the School, Rev. Thomas Langhorne.

Loretto became known throughout Britain during the formative headmastership of Dr Hely Hutchinson Almond (1862-1903). Elements have therefore been taken from the MacDonald Tartan, which is associated to the name Hutchinson. 

The main colours of the tartan are a true representation of the school, including the ‘Loretto Red’, which is a strong element of the school branding as seen in the iconic red jacket worn by the pupils. The navy blue represents one of the school Houses, “Mackintosh”. Green has been added to represent another of the Houses, “Langhorne” and this colour also reflects the fairways of the golf courses in East Lothian which links up with the Loretto Golf Academy. In addition, pink and purple have been added to represent the two other Houses – ‘Greenlees’ and ‘Tristram’. 

Jonathan Hewat, Director of External Affairs at Loretto School said: “Loretto was founded in 1827 are we have a long and proud place in the history of Scotland; we are indeed Scotland’s oldest boarding school. By creating this new tartan, we want to highlight our history, Scottish identity, the iconic Loretto red, the pupils’ houses and, of course, our world-famous Golf Academy. 

“The pattern is being recorded by the Scottish Register of Tartans and can only be worn by those connected with Loretto School – pupils, staff, parents and former pupils if they wish to do so.” 

www.loretto.com