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This time in 2018 Scotland were gearing up to take on England in the Calcutta Cup, and here at ScotlandShop we were busy working with the big man, Doddie Weir to launch his very own tartan.
Our association with the legend that is Doddie Weir is a long and personal one stretching far back beyond us making the tartan suits he is so famous for. Doddie and our Founder Anna have been friends since the days they attended Pony Club together. Anna's husband Neil also played rugby with Doddie at Melrose. The idea of a “Doddie tartan” had been one mooted for several years and I was delighted when Doddie finally said “Let’s do it” and the serious business of colour and sett design could begin.
To celebrate the anniversary of Doddie'5 tartan, let's take a look back at some of our favourite photos from the last year.
Doddie Tartan on Tour
Creating the Doddie'5 Tartan
When we started designing Doddie'5 tartan, we thought the best way to narrow down the colour choices would be to look at the colours associated with the teams Doddie played for throughout his career. I originally thought the tartan should include 5 colours and that we should incorporate Red into the design to signify the British & Irish Lions, but Doddie was keen to stick to just the 4 colours, and he is quite a stubborn man! Blue & white for Scotland, yellow & black for Melrose and black & white for Newcastle Falcons.
Here are some of the initial designs that just weren't quite the right fit for the Big Man's tartan.
Doddie'5 Tartan Kicked Off at the Calcutta Cup
Doddie'5 tartan was officially launched on the 23rd February 2018, with a photo-shoot being held at BT Murrayfield the day before. This was the first time Doddie wore the suit made in his own tartan, and in Doddie's own words, he was a kid in a candy store, bursting with excitement to try it on.
Of course a photoshoot with Doddie is never a quiet affair, and Doddie was on top form, giving photographer Jonathon plenty of cheek, and chatting to the visitors who were in for a tour around the stadium and received the unexpected treat of a quick chat with the former Scottish rugby star!
Scotland Ladies Sport Tams for Doddie
During the Launch weekend of Doddie'5 tartan we headed to Scotstoun to see Scotland Women take on England in the Women's Six Nations. The ladies were more than happy to pop on a tam in support of Doddie after the match.
Hong Kong Sevens
Throughout the year, Doddie and his tartan have travelled far and wide, one of the first foreign trips for the tartan was to Hong Kong Sevens back in April. This was the 43rd edition of the Hong Kong Sevens tournament, as well as being the seventh tournament of the 2017–18 World Rugby Sevens Series. Of course Sevens are close to both Doddie and our hearts having originated in Melrose.
Melrose Sevens
Melrose Sevens wouldn't be the same without Doddie's dulcet tones in the commentary box. This year as well as a spot of commentating, Doddie also took on the role of Camera Man! Let's hope he didn't miss any important try's.
We teamed up with SCRUM magazine to deck out the Ball Boys in Doddie'5 Tartan baseball caps for their duties adding an extra touch of tartan to the day.
The Scottish Open
In July some of the world’s best golfers donned their plaid to celebrate Tartan Wednesday at the Scottish Open Pro-Am in Gullane. Leuchie House, a charity local to Gullane Golf Club, is Scotland’s only dedicated respite centre and offers caring respite breaks to people with long term neurological conditions, including motor neurone disease. Leuchie House Ambassador and Scottish rugby legend Gavin Hastings – a former team mate of Doddie – was one of the Pro-Am participants decked out in in tartan trews.
Doddie'5 Tartan Ted & The Doddie Weir Cup
Our very own Tartan Ted struck out from Murrayfield Stadium in the Autumn, visiting rugby clubs around the country and ending up at the Cardiff Arms Park for the inaugural Doddie’5 Cup match against Wales.
Doddie'5 Book Launch
Doddie'5 Tartan Ted was back on the scene when we headed to the launch evening of Doddie'5 Autobiography in November.
Of course there have been many more events throughout the year, and one blog post simply isn't enough to list all of the amazing fundraising events that Doddie'5 tartan has been spotted at. We love seeing where Doddie'5 tartan pops up so keep sending us your photos.
Proving that personality is everything the Doddie’5 tartan has been the most fun to design and develop products for, and it’s fantastic success and the support of the big man is heart-warming. We look forward to creating more fabulous Doddie’5 tartan products made in Scotland and even more fundraising in years to come!
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