The tartan contains reminders of all that is symbolic around the village of Elderslie, which was always known locally as the birthplace of William Wallace. Christine, who designed this wonderful tartan, was born in Elderslie as were her father and grandmother.  Her awareness of William Wallace stemmed from the many visits to the home of her great grandmother in Wallace Avenue, which directly overlooked the Memorial and The Wallace Yew. In 1974 the building was demolished. 

The irreverence shown to the birthplace of a national hero was the reason that, years later, Christine MacLeod joined the Society of William Wallace whose aim was to keep the name of the patriot alive.  She was inspired by the book by David R Ross, 'On The Trail of William Wallace', David was also the Convener of The Society of William Wallace. She was interested in many aspects of Scottish history and culture and grew up in the village of Kilbarchan, learning the ancient craft of the handloom weaver, being taught the old skills by one of the last true handloom weavers in Scotland.

After reading his book, she wove a piece of cloth designed specially for David Ross to wear as he inspired so many people to find out more about their own history. It was completely hand-woven in a small village in Scotland and is a unique and historic piece.

David Ross wore the woven plaid and told the story throughout his time thereafter.  It was worn on the 700th commemoration in Westminster Hall, where Wallace was tried for treason and in the memorial service in the little church in Smithfield, close to where Wallace was executed.

David was very proud of the plaid, it was more than a tartan, it was a story in cloth.  In memory of him, a small piece of the cloth is tied to the Wallace Sword, carried proudly by the members of The Society of William Wallace.

2012 is a special anniversary. It is 100 years since patriots of Scotland gathered together to ensure that a lasting tribute to the birthplace of a national hero was marked.  As a lasting reminder, to be passed on to future generations, a tartan has been designed by Christine MacLeod.  With the assistance of Ken MacDonald of Paisley, who has the knowledge of the production of tartan and kilt making, one bolt of cloth of 60 metres in length was made to be shared amongst the members of the Society of William Wallace, which in turn will be passed on to their future generations.

The unique length of pure wool fabric was woven on the Isle of Bute at Bute Fabrics.  This small, independent company and employer of local Island people is one of the few remaining commercial weavers of tartans left in Scotland.

Bute is close to the birthplace of Wallace and has the historic link with Wallace in that many of the men of Bute were present alongside Wallace in his fight for freedom.

The symbolism of the ancient colours included is as follows...

Red ... originally obtained in Scotland from the root of the madder plant.
Symbolic of sacrifice around the world.  The dominant shade of the cloth.

Steel Grey of The Wallace Sword ... Symbolic of strength, dedication and determination. The natural shade of granite of the Wallace Memorial in Elderslie.

Brown ... the bark of the Wallace Yew beside the memorial in Elderslie, one of the top 100 heritage trees in Scotland.

Green ... the shade of the oak leaf.  The site of the tree in Elderslie known as the Wallace Oak, situated a few hundred yards from the memorial but lost in the mid 19th century.  It is said to have sheltered Wallace.

Rust ... a single line, a reminder of the Walk for Wallace completed by David R Ross in 2005 from the place of the capture of Wallace, to the place of his barbaric execution.  It is also symbolic of the well in Elderslie used by locals in the past and considered to be good for the health to drink.

Blue and grey ... the core of the plaid. Symbolic of the cross in the sky seen before the battle of Athelstaneford as a sign of the blessing of Saint Andrew, later becoming the saltire, and symbol of Scotland.

It will be worn first at the Scottish Parliament to commemorate the return of the Letter of Safe Conduct, itself a significant day in the modern history of Scotland, and at the centenary of the unveiling of the memorial on Wallace Day in Elderslie.

Thereafter the cloth will hold the memories of those times and the people who have gone before and fought for freedom.

Christine MacLeod July 9th 2012.