A TARTAN incorporating the colours of Scotland’s national nurse uniform has been created by nursing students and is the first of its kind to celebrate the profession.
The woven cloth features shades of blue with burgundy detail to echo the official outfits worn by NHS nurses, healthcare assistants, and student nurses across the country.
The tartan was conceived by Nursing Studies students at the University of Edinburgh, home to the UK’s first nursing degree, and is launching a range of products on Monday, July 5.
Jamie Smith, a nurse at NHS Lothian and a PhD student at the University of Edinburgh, and Georgia Duffy, a former student at Edinburgh and also a nurse in practice at NHS Lothian, initiated the idea for the tartan and its design.
Jamie Smith, said: “Tartan is such a symbol of kinship which is synonymous with Scotland.
“We thought by creating this special tartan just for nurses it could help recognise their contribution – a way to support those who are always there to support us.”
A range of tartan merchandise, including facemasks, lambswool scarfs, shawls, stoles, wraps, and tartan ties have been developed.
Gordon Nicolson Kiltmakers, an exclusive kiltmaker, and stockist of tartan on the Royal Mile in Edinburgh has curated and finished the products.
The Kiltmakers also manage the marketing and distribution of The Nursing Tartan, which is exclusively available from the nursing tartan website, www.thenursingtartan.com.
Georgia Duffy, said: “Capturing the essence of nurses and nursing was paramount to us on the creation of the tartan.
“Using the national uniform colours achieves this through highlighting the diversity within the workforce.
“Anyone can wear the tartan and we hope everyone will and can.”
Proceeds will also support The Burdett Trust for Nursing, a charitable trust which funds a range of projects to empower nurses and make significant improvements to the patient care environment.
The Burdett Trust provides support for the Edinburgh Global Nursing Initiative, a University project launched in 2020 which connects nurses worldwide to share research, innovations, and knowledge to boost people’s health outcomes.
The global initiative’s pioneering projects have a focus on innovating nursing and midwifery in areas where health systems are affected by challenges such as disease outbreaks, poverty, and conflict.
Emma Wilkinson, The Nursing Tartan Manager, Gordon Nicolson Kiltmakers, said: “It has been an honour and pleasure to work with Jamie and Georgia, especially at a time where now more than ever we are aware and appreciative of all the hard work and good nurses do – where would we be without them.
“We pulled together all of our expertise and esteemed colleagues in the tartan industry to make The Nursing Tartan project a reality and will continue to do this as well as bringing new and exciting products as the story of the tartan continues.
“So far, and in a very short space of time, the response to the tartan has been phenomenal – nurses, former nurses, supporters of nurses all purchasing a product to proudly show their support. We have no doubt that this wonderful response and uptake will continue and we work hard to keep driving the tartan forward.”
Professor Aisha Holloway, Head of Nursing Studies, said: “Scotland is a world-leading place to study, research and practice as a nurse.
“The nursing tartan is a wonderful initiative of our students’ to recognise and celebrate the role and sphere of frontline healthcare workers.”
