THEY stormed to an unprecedented victory in May, have rocked the Westminster political establishment – and now “the 56” have had a tartan designed in their honour.
The pattern incorporates the blue and white of the Saltire, the purple and green of the Scots heather and landscape and the gold and red of the Lion Rampant.
The Fifty Six tartan was created by Billy Scobie, an SNP member and historical writer who had previously designed his own family tartan.
“I’ve been fascinated by tartans since I was in my twenties and I was so impressed by the historic nature of the SNP success in May that I wanted to do something to mark that achievement,” said the retired council worker of Alexandria, West Dunbartonshire.
“When the Act of Union of 1707 was being proposed, the prospect of the Union was very unpopular among many Scots and they wore tartan as a symbol of opposition to it.
“So there is this historical dimension to what I did and I think it would be a great if the 56 SNP MPs would wear the tartan at Westminster to show their continued resistance to the Union.”
His design has been warmly received by several SNP MPs and MSP Stewart Maxwell who presented the design to the First Minister. In a letter to Scobie, Nicola Sturgeon described the tartan as “a fitting tribute”.
The design has been confirmed by the Scottish Tartans Authority as being unique, valid and ready for registration.
Scobie, 62, is hoping to raise £500 through a crowd funding appeal. He wants to hear of other ways to raise money to commission the tartan to be woven and ties or scarves made.
Scobie added: “In 1707 tartan was worn throughout Scotland as a gesture of opposition to the Union.
“It would be entirely appropriate for the 56 to repeat the gesture in 2015.”
Chris Law, the SNP MP, said: “The designer should be very happy with this unique take on modern-day Scotland. I look forward to wearing it with pride in the House of Commons chamber.”
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