Tartan Week Lochcarron 2025 showcases caring community
Tartan Week Lochcarron is a festival of all things tartan, bringing the community and visitors together to celebrate heritage and creativity through arts, music, history and local crafts.
The week included a packed programme of family-friendly events.
Professional local artists led a Big Draw Art Workshop for primary and secondary school children.
The Incredible Fling Band headlined a fabulous Grand Ceilidh with a packed hall dancing long into the night.
There were art and photography exhibitions at venues across the area including local cafes, The Smithy Hub, The Lochcarron Centre, the Lochcarron Treehouse and Lochcarron Village Hall.
The story of weaving in Lochcarron dates back to the 1930s when Morris Buchan bought a weaving factory in the village. Later, a weaver from Galashiels was dispatched to the village to teach the art of weaving tweed and the first piece of tartan was woven in the village in 1949. Lochcarron of Scotland, who have their Heritage Centre and Shop in the village, hosted a sell-out fashion show which proved to be the most sought-after ticket of the week.
There was an area-wide arts trail of open studios, showcasing the huge arrange of talent in a wide variety of art and craft mediums. Balnacra Pottery held a series of hands-on workshops including tartan, comic and historical themes for enthusiastic attendees.
The local history society held a fascinating exhibition of stories, images and artefacts in the village hall and there were guided tours at the community woodland and Attadale Gardens. The local shinty team put on a great display despite some challenging weather!
The event is facilitated by Lochcarron and District Business Association along with a team of community volunteers. In only its second year, the team are keen to build on the success of the first event in 2024 and have seen fantastic support for all the events, with many selling out quickly.
It gives a great boost to the community at the tail end of the season, and the opportunity for everyone to explore the cultural richness of this wonderful area.
Sadly Storm Amy thwarted some of the final Tartan Week events, but it didn’t spoil the Lochcarron community spirit. Whilst the storm wreaked havoc, the community came together to help those in need; individuals, organisations and businesses. Tartan Week therefore ended with a sense of unity and resilience that truly embodies the spirit of the event.
An organiser said: “Thanks to everyone who got involved over the week and we look forward to seeing you next year.”