Brigadier David Allfrey, Producer and Chief Executive of The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, gets a sneak peek at an original tartan suit of English Jacobite, Sir John Hynde Cotton, ahead of its installation at the National Museum of Scotland for the Bonnie Prince Charlie and the Jacobites exhibition later this month.
The Brigadier’s special preview comes as National Museums Scotland and the Tattoo unite this year to tell the tales of Scotland’s colourful history through a variety of exciting initiatives.Splash of Tartan will be the theme for this year’s Tattoo, encouraging Scots across the world to explore their connections with the country while organisers urge visitors to dress in their finest tartan accoutrements during the August showcase.
Brigadier David Allfrey said: “It has been a huge pleasure working with National Museums Scotland to develop our plans for ‘Splash of Tartan’ at this year’s Tattoo. In looking to celebrate Scotland’s Year of History, Heritage and Archaeology, a wonderful interest from Scottish clans and families around the world, a Royal Navy lead and the special place of Scotland’s national fabric; we have needed to do lots of research. The National Museums’ staff have been incredibly generous with their time, and we have all learned so much about the Jacobites.
“I was thrilled to be invited for a closer look with conservators at the National Museums Collection Centre in Granton. It was fascinating to see the conservators at work and talk through the challenges of their various disciplines. The suit is not only a substantial garment – he was a big lad – but the tailoring and colours in the tartan are intricate and extraordinary. So much of a story in one piece of ‘high and mighty’ clothing! John Hynde Cotton certainly knew how to splash the tartan!”
Bonnie Prince Charlie and the Jacobites launches on Friday, 23 June and will present over 300 objects covering the full ‘multi-media’ range of material culture: jewellery, portraiture, official documents, letters, textiles, metalwork, sculpture, glassware and more.
