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Thursday, 26th November 2009

Check it out as Corstorphine's Aussie baron adds tartan touch

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Published Date:
21 September 2006
IT seems everyone wants to get in on the act these days. First it was sports teams, then businesses, now Corstorphine is to get its own tartan - the first of Edinburgh's historic villages to take the step.
The Corstorphine tartan may sound as though it's steeped in ancient Scottish roots.

But it has been designed by an Australian who spent £50,000 buying the historic title of the Baron of Corstorphine.

Australian businessman Michael John Milne
commissioned the tartan from Leith kilt makers Kinloch Anderson during a recent visit to the Capital. Mr Milne spent part of his visit seeing the neighbourhood associated with his title for the first time.

The businessman, who lives in Neutral Bay, Sydney, has ancestors believed to have come from the north-east of Scotland.

His new tartan will be named Milne of Corstorphine, and has been put on the official tartan register, meaning it can be ordered by anyone keen to celebrate their links with the community.

Amateur historian Gordon Dean, a member of the Corstorphine Trust, which sold the title to Mr Milne, said the new tartan was the first to be specially designed for any of Edinburgh's districts.

He added: "It makes Corstorphine totally unique in the city. Other areas and towns in Scotland have their own tartans, but we're the only specific part of Edinburgh that has one, which is fantastic.

"I also think it will prove very popular among local residents when they see it. New tartans are always popular and I'm sure this one will prove no different.

"A lot of people who don't have a family tartan but live in the area will be able to have a kilt made up for them for weddings and formal occasions.

"When Mr Milne first bought the ancient title, we weren't expecting this to happen at all. The fact that he designed it as well makes it even more unique.

"Hopefully it will set a trend for other parts of the city to get their own tartans made as well."

Mr Mile bought the vacant title of Baron of Corstorphine earlier this year with the proceeds of the sale going towards community projects.

The title had been kept by heritage group the Corstorphine Trust for years after being passed on to it by former barons the Dickson family.

The historic title had once been in the possession of the Forrester family, who owned most of the land in and around Corstorphine. But over the years all of the associated land involved in the barony has been sold off.

The tartan has been designed in green and blue, with a thin red check. Mr Dean added that the predominant shade of green was meant to represent the family colour of the Forrester family, who were the ancient patrons of Corstorphine.

Deidre Kinnoch Anderson, owner of kiltmakers Kinnoch Anderson, said: "Mr Milne has worked with us before and he asked us to be responsible for the production of his tartan, which he designed himself.

"We've already made him up a kilt outfit and he is also interested in getting a coat of arms made, as well as purchasing items such as silk scarves in his tartan.

"We have also officially registered the Milne of Corstorphine tartan for further production."

In the Corstorphine Inn, the idea received a less than enthusiastic reception.

Laura Boig, 29, assistant bar manager, said: "I don't think it's going to be that popular to be honest.

"Tartans are all about your family heritage, and I would have thought they're more relevant to your name rather than the place you live.

"I haven't seen the design, but regardless of how good it is, I wouldn't have thought there's going to be a massive rush for it."

FROM AMEX TO HIBEES, THEY'VE PLAID FOR KEEPS


EVERYTHING from best-selling novels to the Hare Krishna movement have registered their own tartans.

A special Rosslyn Da Vinci tartan was created recently to celebrate the success of Dan Brown's novel The Da Vinci Code.

American companies and organisations have also been keen to create their own tartans - with American Express and the American Society of Travel Agents among the many to have an individual tartan designed for them.

Hearts and Hibs are among a host of sports clubs who have tartans designed for their supporters.

Amnesty International and religious groups including the Hare Krishna movement also have their own designs.

Although Corstorphine is the first district in Edinburgh to have a specially-designed tartan, other nearby towns and villages such as Musselburgh already have their own tartans.



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  • Last Updated: 21 September 2006 1:25 PM
  • Source: Edinburgh Evening News
  • Location: Edinburgh
  • Related Topics: Kilts
 
1

Ned Kelly,

Morningside & Melbourne 21/09/2006 11:57:44

I bet the locals can't wait to put on their new kilts and welcome their absentee laird. It's harmless enough, I suppose, but why does this sort of thing not impress me?

2

Ned Kelly,

Morningside & Melbourne 21/09/2006 15:03:18

Very lyrical, Jennifer. Thank you.

3

Andre,

Corstorphine 21/09/2006 15:23:10

Nobody told me the "baron-ship" was up for grabs a few years ago. Did anyone else know that was local? I have no problems in an Aussie having the title but why, especially as his roots are not even in Edinburgh? I for one, while a proud Cortsorphonian, will remain in my family tartan!

4

Dissappointed,

Tollcross 21/09/2006 15:24:04

One wonders if one would always be required to "go commando" in a Morningside tartan...

5

Ned Kelly,

Morningsnide 21/09/2006 15:26:51

It's been fur coats and nae knickers down here for years, mate. And that's just the blokes!

6

Jock H. the Republic of Scotland,

denver, colorado, usa. 22/09/2006 13:49:44

ok guys if an aussie can buy a title in edinburgh, i want to buy the title of the historic old part ot the town that is vacant, for 10pounds i want my title to be the Earle of Niddrie Mains, with all honours associated with it, i promise to hold court sessions on fridays with hangings on saturdays for the amusement of my subjects, there will be no appeals granted to you druggies,rapists,muggers, and every other booger eating morons , so beware niddrie mains there is a new sherriff in town ...... signed.. The Earl of Niddrie Mains.........

7

Jock H. the Republic of Scotland,

denver, colorado, usa. 22/09/2006 14:26:41

by the way people there is another serfdom vacant ,but only to scottish born men over 20 years old, the Dukedom of Craigmiller is going for a fiver, now thats a steal, just think handing out punishment to your serfs if they break the law in your wee kingdom, cutting the hands of thiefs, testicles of rapists, hanging for drug dealers, life in prison for hooligans and muggers ,,,, oh boy the list goes on ,, so come on boys ,,,,,, any takers ??????? you would be my neighbor ,,,,,, the Earle of Niddrie Mains,,,,,,,,,,


 

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