FAMILY-RUN brand The Tartan Blanket Co are putting a modern spin on the traditional Scottish blanket.
Founded in 2014 by husband and wife duo Emma and Fergus Macdonald, The Tartan Blanket Co was born out of a lot of planning, a great deal of love and one big leap of faith.
Prior to establishing the brand, the couple were living in London where Emma worked as a footwear buyer and Fergus ran a kilt business. Due to marry, the pair began to plan their next steps and, while they loved their jobs and life in London, they decided the future they dreamed of wouldn’t be feasible in the big city. So they decided to return to their home city of Edinburgh.
Emma says: “With family and support back in Edinburgh and London house prices soaring, we made the plan to move back to where we grew up, where we met, and where we fell in love.”
But they still faced the daunting challenge of finding new jobs which catered for their needs, so they sought a career that would create the perfect balance between family life and doing what they loved.
Combining their pre-existing skills, the pair saw an opportunity to revolutionise one of their favourite, traditional Scottish products – the tartan blanket – and their business was born.
Emma says: “We found and built relationships with mills, both in Scotland and globally, to source the highest quality and best value products. We hired a small, dedicated and dynamic team to ensure every step of the customer experience – from online browsing right through to unwrapping their beautiful purchase – brings a smile to every customer’s face.”
Eventually, they moved into their HQ, a beautiful old warehouse and office in Leith, among Edinburgh’s old docks and creative hub. The label continues there today, with the addition of a few extra faces, including dog Alfie and baby Aila Rose who was born last year.
The label now offers everything from baby, knee and lifestyle blankets to fashionable scarves. Scarves and blankets are available in a series of materials, including recycled wool, lambswool and cashmere, as well as a beautiful mix of on-trend, seasonal palettes and widely loved traditional tartans.
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