Behold The Callanish
The Callanish Tartan is described as a stunning blend of heritage and romance in the beautiful colours of nature. Romantics refer to The Callanish as ‘A Love Woven in Time’.
An elegant ensemble, unique, exclusive and enchanting, worn by brides and grooms together to honour the enhanced magic of love, passion, fidelity & life. Handcrafted in Scotland using traditional techniques and sustainable, recyclable materials, which, in the words of King Charles III, keep Scotland’s heritage skills alive.
Behold the legend of Callanish – a celebration of love, heritage and of timeless romance awaits.
Behold The Callanish - Scotland’s Tribute to Love
The Callanish Tartan is the world’s most iconic Scottish wedding tartan. A stunning blend of heritage and romance. Worn by brides and grooms together, it celebrates love, fidelity, and the sacred energy of the ancient and legendary Callanish Standing Stones on The Isle of Lewis, erected nearly 5,000 years ago. Inspired by Queen Victoria and the regal history of tartan.
Behold the legend of Callanish - a celebration of love, heritage and of timeless romance.
“A love woven in time”
The Callanish Tartan
The Balmoral Tartan and the magical Callanish Stone Circle on The Isle of Lewis, were the textile design inspiration behind The Callanish Tartan.
This was the first ever Harris Tweed tartan registered by The Scottish Register of Tartans, and the beautiful design has been dedicated to the memory of the majestic reigns of both Queen Victoria (1837-1901) and Queen Elizabeth II (1952-2022).
The Callanish Stones
The inspiration behind the Callanish tartan. Legends speak of giants turned to stone and a midsummer ‘shining one’ walking the stone avenue at dawn, stories of magic, mystery, and enduring love.
The Callanish Stone Circle stands proud and sentinel on the west coast of The Isle of Lewis. The magic and the mystery surrounding the magnificent Callanish Stone site dates all the way back to when The Stones were first erected in 2,639BC, almost 5,000 years ago.
The full Moon at its major standstill over The Callanish Stones appears and sets behind ‘Cliusham’ one of the Harris hills, and every 18 years and 7 months, it rises from behind the sacred hill, and skims over the horizon for four hours, caressing the slender body of the maiden of the mountains, before gently settling behind the Harris hills once more.
Colour Story
The colours of The Callanish Tartan are exquisite and elegant for The Bride, yet rugged and robust for The Groom.
The oatmeal and pebble stone background colour of The Callanish Tartan symbolises The Callanish Stones themselves. The lichen border denotes the mosses and ferns around the place, whilst the sultry grey overchecks betoken the long eerie shadows cast through The Stones every month by the glowing light of the Full Moon, or the rising sun each bright morning.
The bracken mixture central overcheck represents the heather hills and peat bogs around The Callanish site, and the rufous red central overcheck is a tribute to the Robert Burns poem 'My Love is like a red, red rose', penned in 1794.
“Stone long bruised by wind and tempest
Can receive a lichen’s grace
The kiss of moss curing wounds
By granting them the shade
Colouring and concealing gashes
‘Till rock becomes a palette for the breeze
Brushing against pigments
That gaunt it against blows
White fury of the winter’s winds
The azure smack of the sea,
And then we draw the colours.”
Bishop Gavin Douglas (1474-1522).
