MSP for Clackmannanshire and Dunblane, Keith Brown, has worn a special ribbon in the Scottish Parliament to support the launch of the new Care Leaver Tartan.

Its introduction was part of National Care Leavers Week, a week-long celebration of what young people in care can achieve, and was co-created by people with care experience and Scottish print design company Black Cherry Studio.

The design has a modern twist on the words love, listen and care woven throughout, identified by people with care experience as the three most important elements of being part of a family, has been registered with The Scottish Register of Tartans and will be made available to anyone who is or has been in care.

Keith said: “Tartan is about having a sense of identity and belonging. Across Scotland, we wear tartan to mark special events, to recognise where we have come from and to give us a sense of belonging.

“Unfortunately, young people who have been in care might not have the family ties that tartan usually represents.

“That’s why I’m thrilled to support the launch of this new tartan.

“I want young people in care to know that they are Scotland’s children and that in my work as a MSP, I will continue to support them.” Ashley Cameron, young care leaver, added: “We created this tartan so that young people know that we are all part of one care family.

“Growing up in care, I never really felt like I belonged anywhere, or to anyone. I didn’t think tartan was for me because it is so linked to a family name.

“This has been an incredible year for people with care experience to own their identity and be proud of who they are.

“People with care experience have shown that with the right support, and a sense of belonging, that they can make change happen.

“I can’t think of a better way to celebrate that than by launching our own tartan and I am so happy that Keith Brown MSP has joined us to do that.”