Whether you are looking for a creative way to brand your business, celebrate a special event or commemorate your wedding, designing your own tartan is an incredibly unique and memorable experience. We are extremely proud to offer our customers the chance to create their own piece of Scottish culture, working closely with our in-house tartan designer. We loved seeing the Torrance-Shahid family tartan come to life and Abia, along with the help of her parents, was kind enough to take the time to share the story and inspiration behind it with us.
Firstly, we asked the family why they decided to create their own tartan design. Here’s what Abia had to say,
“I come from a proud dual-heritage background, my father is Pakistani and my mother is Scottish, and as a large, close-knit family we have always loved celebrating both sides of our culture. We feel a particularly deep connection to Scotland through our shared love of travelling here and appreciation of the beauty of our home country.
Designing our own tartan felt like a deeply meaningful way to honour and unite both parts of our heritage. We wanted to create something lasting, a symbol that would tell our story, celebrate our roots, and become a treasured part of our family identity. The process itself became a wonderful shared experience, filled with discussion, creativity and reflection. By the end, it felt as though we hadn’t just designed a tartan; we had woven together the threads of our family history.
When my sister got engaged, we knew her wedding would be the perfect moment to bring both families together and celebrate that union in a truly special way, wearing our very own tartan for the first time. With a clear deadline and an exciting occasion ahead, the project took on even greater significance. It gave us something joyful and collaborative to work towards, making the occasion all the more meaningful.
The official name of our tartan is Torrance-Shahid, M & Family (Personal).”
It’s great to hear how tartan can celebrate the blending of cultures and traditions.
The family then shared with us why they had chosen to come to MacGregor and MacDuff to design their own tartan.
“Our journey began when my brother hired a kilt outfit for his graduation and discovered that MacGregor and MacDuff offer a personal tartan design service. After an initial conversation with Erin McGreechin, we immediately felt confident that we were in the right hands.
Erin was knowledgeable, patient and genuinely enthusiastic about our idea, which made all the difference. The support we received throughout the process, from Erin and the wider team, was exceptional. We felt listened to, guided and encouraged at every stage, and that reassurance made the experience both enjoyable and stress-free.”
The Torrance-Shahid tartan is a beautiful blend of greens, blues and reds so we had to ask about the inspiration behind the design. Abia explained,
“Our inspiration was very much rooted in our dual cultural heritage. The background colours of blue and white were drawn from the Scottish Saltire, while green and white reflect the colours of the Pakistani national flag. Bringing these elements together symbolised the unity of our two parents within one family.
My mum and dad also chose red to represent the red sandstone of our family home - the place where we all as children grew up and where so many precious memories were made. Finally, a touch of dark yellow was included as a tribute to the Forsyth and Burns tartans connected to my mum, Michaela Shahid (née Torrance). Every colour was chosen thoughtfully, and each one carries personal meaning. Seeing my own daughter now wearing our family tartan that represents so much to me fills me with so much pride.”
When you design your own tartan, it will be recorded on the Scottish Register of Tartan and you can decide whether or not to place restrictions on who can wear it. Abia explained to us why the family decided to restrict their design.
“Yes, we collectively chose to place restrictions on the tartan. It is intended to be worn by the Torrance-Shahid family, their blood-line descendants, and those who have been given permission through our family lines.
We did this to preserve the personal nature of the design and protect the story behind it. For us, this isn’t just a pattern, it represents our heritage, our memories and our identity. Keeping it within the family ensures it remains a cherished heirloom for generations to come. It also makes it feel all the more special when we do wear it.”
We also asked the family what items they had made with the tartan. From kilts and trews to scarves, ties and gifts, the options are endless!
"We have had a wonderful variety of items made, including kilts, trews, shawls, ties, scrunchies, a ring holder, baseball caps and even hip flasks. Seeing the tartan brought to life across so many different pieces has been incredibly exciting!
We also have future plans for jackets and coats, re-covering an antique family chair, and even incorporating the tartan into an Asian suit. It’s lovely to think of new and creative ways the tartan can continue to be part of our family’s everyday life as well as special occasions."
Finally we wanted to know if Abia and the family enjoyed the tartan design experience. We loved their response!
“The entire experience was fascinating, meaningful and genuinely enjoyable. From the first conversation to seeing the final woven tartan, it felt like a collaborative and creative journey. Erin’s support made it especially memorable - her enthusiasm and guidance helped bring our ideas to life in a way that exceeded our expectations.
We would wholeheartedly recommend the experience to others. It’s not just about designing fabric; it’s about telling your story in a timeless and tangible way.”
A huge thank you to the Torrance-Shahid family for taking the time to share their wonderful tartan design story with us. If you are feeling inspired to create your own piece of tartan history, don’t hesitate to get in touch with our team to learn more.
A list of featured suppliers can be found below.
Photography - Meggy Mac
Film - Keir Mathieson
Venue - Cheval The Edinburgh Grand
Celebrant - Tegan Elder Humanist Celebrant
Hair - Shirley McCann
Makeup - Louise Ballantine
Dress - Grace Loves Lace
Florals and Styling - Studio Kumari
Cake - 101 Bakery
