A traditional music group are to star at the Edinburgh Tattoo, garbed in Bollywood inspired Shetland knitwear.
Hjaltibonhoga, also known as Shetland Fiddlers, are embracing the 2015 Tattoo theme of East meets West with the specially created knitted saris.
The costumes have been designed for the fiddlers by Nielanell, based in the tiny Shetland village of Hoswick, who also designed outfits for the troupe last year.
Knitwear producer Laurence Odie, also based in Hoswick, put the costumes together.
The costumes and the set the fiddlers will be playing were given a trial run at a special show in Lerwick Town Hall last night.
Designer Niela Kalra was given the brief of Shetland meets Bollywood, with the stipulation that the outfits would have to suit men and women.
She said: “I have always been interested in designing with a fusion of cultures in mind and Shetland has always had close attachments with other countries.
“Our culture is steeped in knit, and lace and fair-isle patterns are world-renowned. Music too, has travelled by sea within the Shetland Isles and far beyond.
“I have brought together these themes in the costume design, drawing from my own love of very simple, traditional dress.
“The sarong, kilt, poncho – and sari – all are used in different cultures – east and west – to cover, clothe and protect the wearer. All are fashioned from a single piece of cloth, likely the most functional and versatile of all items of wear.”
The fiddlers will perform at the world-famous tattoo between August 7-29, along with groups from more than 48 countries.
Margaret Scollay of the Shetland Fiddlers Tattoo Working Group said: “We are delighted to be returning to the tattoo, it’s a huge opportunity to introduce Shetland to the world and the atmosphere is incredible.
“The knitted saris capture the theme so well – the colours and design give uniformity to the group while giving the individual players the freedom to move and drape to suit.”