A tartan created to celebrate a long-standing, intergenerational community partnership continues to bring joy this festive season.
The Balhousie Intergenerational Tartan was originally designed in 2019 by Balhousie North Inch in collaboration with nearby Balhousie Primary School in Perth. Interrupted by the pandemic, it was finally woven by Forfar-based Strathmore Woollen company and launched in 2022.
An art competition celebrating the school’s link with care home was run in spring 2022 and winner, pupil Chloe Hansen, was gifted a bespoke kilt made from the Balhousie Intergenerational Tartan. The tartan connection has also proved a meaningful legacy for Balhousie Primary after the pupils transferred to a new building, Riverside Primary, in April 2023.
Fast forward to autumn 2023 and Balhousie sought a way to use the remaining tartan to connect and brighten all their homes.
The team at Balhousie knew they wanted to do something special with the tartan, but needed to come up with an idea that gave all of our 25 homes an ongoing way to enjoy the bespoke tartan.
With Strathmore Woollen Company’s help, Balhousie were delighted to create a tartan Christmas tree decoration and a table runner for each home in time for this festive season.
Melanie Brockway, Brand and Communications Manager at Balhousie Care Group, said:
“When the Balhousie Intergenerational Tartan was first created, it was such a special project to be part of. It’s fabulous to see the tartan continue to be enjoyed in our care homes this Christmas. We hope the decorations will continue to bring joy for many years to come. And, of course, the runner can be admired all year round!”
Staff and residents have already been enjoying the splashes of tartan in their homes, but none more so than Balhousie North Inch where the tartan story first began. Diane Cain, Home Manager at Balhousie North Inch, said:
“The intergenerational connections we see between residents and children across our homes bring so much happiness to everyone involved and it’s very special to have this highlighted and see the product of a community project like this, come from our North Inch care home and connect with the homes across Balhousie Care Group this festive season.”
