A tartan first designed almost 30 years ago for a Pipe band in the United Arab Emirates has been rediscovered and unveiled at a ceremony in Dundee’s Al-Maktoum Institute.
The discovery was made when Institute Principal, Professor Abd al-Fattah El-Awaisi was thinking of ideas for new corporate colours.
He wanted something to reflect the links between Dubai where Shaikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, the Institute’s patron, is Deputy Ruler, and Scotland and decided to investigate the possibility of designing a new tartan.
Professor El-Awaisi said, “When we made inquiries with the Scottish Tartan Authority, we were astonished to discover an Al-Maktoum tartan was already in existence. We were even more astonished to find they still had a sample of the material. It is based on the colours of the Cameron tartan and was designed in 1977 by Pipe Major Stallard for Dubai’s Pipe Band which was the pride and joy of the then Ruler, the late Shaikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al-Maktoum. It was a wonderful discovery and we are delighted to have been able to bring this design back into production.”
The new tartan will now be the official colours of the Al-Maktoum Foundation which is also based here at the Institute. Tom McCabe MSP, Scottish Executive Minister for Finance and Local Government, who will shortly be taking part in a visit to Dubai, unveiled the tartan.
Mr McCabe said: This wonderful Al-Maktoum tartan perfectly symbolises the links which exist between Scotland and Dubai. I’ve been extremely impressed by the ambitious work the Al-Maktoum Institute has been undertaking. I was delighted to be asked to unveil the tartan to underline the importance the Scottish Executive attaches to strengthening our links with Dubai. I believe this is a win-win scenario for Scotland. We’ve much to offer Dubai, but the incredible economic growth Dubai is experiencing has huge potential for Scottish businesses.
Also present was Brian Wilton of the Scottish Tartan Authority and Heather Yellowley of Strathmore Woollen Co. Ltd of Forfar who wove the tartan cloth. Since being established in Dundee in 2001 the Al-Maktoum Institute has been steadily building educational, cultural and business links between Dubai and Scotland. This has led to a number of important achievements including:
- A Sister City agreement between Dundee and Dubai
- Direct daily flights between Dubai and Glasgow with Emirates Airlines
- The creation of the Al-Maktoum Awards for Multicultural Scotland
- Establishment of the Al-Maktoum Foundation
- Increased educational links including three summer schools bringing students from the Emirates to Scotland and the linking of the University of Aberdeen with Zayed University
- Three Scottish delegation visits to Dubai to establish business and economic links
Mr Mirza Al-Sayegh, chair of the Al-Maktoum Foundation said, “Dubai has made no secret that they want companies based in Scotland to take more advantage of the opportunities provided by Dubai’s economic growth.
“Shaikh Hamdan is pleased with the Institute’s progress and achievements in implementing his vision. His Highness believes there are many more opportunities yet to be explored in the relationship between Dubai and Scotland.”
Professor El-Awaisi added, “I’m very pleased the Minister was able to join us to relaunch the tartan as we look forward to working closely with the Scottish Executive to develop this relationship.”
