MORE than a dozen designs are in the finals, vying to become the official tartan for Clackmannanshire.

The final in the competition to design the Wee County's first official tartan will be taking place at Dollar Academy on Friday, March 3, from 12.30pm.

Secondary school pupils from Alva, Lornshill and Dollar academies are in the running with 16 entries shortlisted.

The competition was launched last September by Provost Donald Balsillie and the Futures Institute at Dollar Academy (FIDA).

Learners from S1 to S6 have been submitting entries up to the end of November while learning about tartan design principles, the area's industrial heritage and more.

There has also been an emphasis on sustainability with young people having to consider aspects such as minimising waste while also suggesting ideas for potential products made from the tartan that would bring social and economic benefits to the community.

 

COMPETITION: The winner in the A Tartan for Clackmannanshire competition will be reveraled at an event on Friday

COMPETITION: The winner in the A Tartan for Clackmannanshire competition will be reveraled at an event on Friday

 

When he launched the competition, Provost Balsillie said: “The creation of a Clackmannanshire tartan is something I am passionate about and I’m pleased that it will be designed by a local young person, giving the pupil the chance to go down in history as its creator.

“The judges will be looking for something that reflects Clackmannanshire’s landscape, history, culture and heritage and I’m really looking forward to seeing the designs.”

The civic representative will be in attendance along with judges Claire Hunter of Taffled Threads and Lesley Thornton of Crimson Kilts, both based in Clackmannanshire.

McCall’s Highlandwear has kindly offered prizes worth £300 with a number of other Wee County businesses and organisations supporting the competition.