A Moray kilt-making school has celebrated its 21st birthday by creating a “one-of-a-kind” tartan.
The Keith Kilt and Textile Centre opened in 1994 to preserve the skills perfected by generations of mill workers in the region.
Since then, students from as far afield as Canada and New Zealand have flocked to the historic mill town to learn time-honoured sewing techniques.
Students and staff gathered yesterday to unveil a new kilt and sporran designed to mark the milestone and to honour the centre’s place in Moray’s textiles industry.
Voluntary chairwoman Linda Gorn said the apprentices had been hard at work inventing the new kilt in preparation for the special anniversary.
Mrs Gorn said: “We believe this kilt is a one of a kind in that there has never been one designed quite like it before.
“It’s a traditional kilt but the fringing is in three different colours, and we came up with a fabric sporran which has been cut in such a way that it stands out from the kilt.
“They look absolutely beautiful, everyone has done a fantastic job.”
The Keith Kilt and Textile Centre relocated to a bigger venue in the town’s Mid Street last summer, which gives the students more space to work.
The school now offers SQA accredited courses in kilt-making and textiles, and hopes to expand the range and quality of classes soon.
Mrs Gorn said: “We already offer an SQA customised award in traditional kilt-making and we’re hoping that next year we can deliver SQA level-three awards.
“If all goes to plan, I will train as an assessor to help oversee the course.”
Mrs Gorn added that yesterday’s event marked a double celebration, with the centre receiving word that it could add an extra unit to a textiles course it offers.
“We’re over the moon that things are going forward and we’re able to move more into the textiles side of things,” she added.