Rocker’s new tartans revealed

Legendary Scottish AC/DC frontman Bon Scott has been commemorated with two official new tartans.

The Bon Scott Heritage and Touring Tartans mark 50 years since the Highway to Hell singer and lyricist joined the band in 1974.

Gordon Nicolson Kiltmakers in Edinburgh were commissioned by Scott’s family in Australia to produce the designs, which “commemorate the life of Ronald Belford ‘Bon’ Scott”.

Scott was born in Kirriemuir, in Angus, in 1946, but moved to Australia as a child. He performed on the rock icons’ first seven albums but died in 1980 aged just 33.

The “commemorative” tartans use colours reflecting Scott’s life including, in The Bon Scott Heritage, blue and white to reflect his Scots heritage and love of denim.

The designs have both now been lodged in the official Scottish Register of Tartans in Edinburgh, ahead of official launch events next year.

Registration notes for the Bon Scott Heritage tartan state it is “intended to be a representation of his Scottish ancestry, his early influences, and the historic homeland and culture of his family.

“After emigrating to Western Australia, Bon never lost the connection to his birthplace and was in fact nicknamed Bon Scott in primary school as a nod to his Scottish roots (‘Bonnie Scotland’).

“His strong bond to his birthplace (Kirriemuir) and wardrobe of choice (mostly denim) are intended to be reflected in this tartan pattern.”

The Bon Scott Touring tartan was designed “to reflect the life on the road, traveling the world and absorbing new influences, having new experiences and meeting new fans.”

Its notes add: “With tongue firmly planted in cheek, Bon’s personality would fill the room and have everyone in hysterics. This tartan design was inspired by that sense of whimsy.”

Gordon Nicolson Kiltmakers said: “The design process has taken several months. One tartan is very much Scottish in its origins and the other is a bit more rock’n’roll.”

Scott was born in Scotland but moved to Australia with his family when he was six. He is now celebrated every year with an international “Bonfest” rock festival in the town.

In 2016 a lifesize bronze statue of Scott was unveiled by Mark Evans, the bass player who was part of the classic AC/DC lineup in the 1970s and a close friend of Bon’s.

Kirriemuir also honours the rock icon with a street, “Bon Scott Place”, named after him.