Launch of Golden Broom Tartan at Strathpeffer

Pupils from Mulbuie Primary School in the Black Isle will launch the official tartan of Highland 2007 at a celebration on Friday night.

A party is being held at Strathpeffer Pavilion to mark their achievement of producing the Golden Broom tartan.

On sale will be the full range of tartan merchandise, ranging from a kilt, scarf and tie to a tea cosy and tablecloth.

Mulbuie pupils will entertain the 260 guests, who have already bought their tickets, for 90 minutes and there will be dancing to the Council’s  Ceilidh Band who will be wearing the Golden Broom tartan.

They will also premiere a DVD they have produced telling the story of their ambitious enterprise.

First Minister Jack McConnell has visited the school and will wear the Golden Broom tie in the Scottish Parliament earlier in the week.

Mulbuie Primary School is a small rural school on the Black Isle, with a roll of 61 children. There is a complement of six full time staff including a teaching Head Teacher, and two class teachers.

The project was introduced as Enterprise in Education for Primary 6 and 7. The aim of the project was to design a tartan, specific to the Mulbuie area, research the possibility of having it manufactured, and then, marketing it as a product.  From this an Enterprise committee was formed, a logo designed, and the Golden Broom Tartan Team was formed.

Head teacher Mrs Shona Mackinnon said: “The launch on Friday is an opportunity to celebrate the wonderful achievement of the pupils, supported by staff,  in driving forward this project. Their hard work has been rewarded beyond their dreams.”

Bruce Robertson, Director of Education Culture and Sport, said: “This is a truly inspiring achievement by the youngsters from Mulbuie – something they can be really proud of.  They will have learned so much from this enterprise and deserve a night to remember on Friday when their friends and families join to mark their achievement.”