A special tartan created to celebrate a long-standing, intergenerational community partnership between Scotland’s leading care home group, BCG, and a Perth primary school will once again bring cheer this St Andrew’s Day, 30 November.
Balhousie Intergenerational Tartan was co-designed by North Inch care home staff and residents in collaboration with children from the nearby Balhousie Primary School in Perth, in 2019, combining the colours of the uniform and the company colours. The project was interrupted by the pandemic before it was finally woven by Forfar-based Strathmore Woollen Company and launched in 2022.
An art-based competition to celebrate the school’s link with the home ran in spring 2022 and the winner, pupil Chloe Hansen, was presented with a bespoke kilt made from the tartan. The pupils transferred to the newly constructed Riverside Primary in April 2023, however the home’s poignant connection to Balhousie Primary remains.
In winter 2023, BCG used the tartan to connect and brighten all their homes by creating a festive tree decoration and table runner for each one.
Now, to mark St Andrew’s Day 2024 (and with Strathmore Woollen Company’s help), BCG are bringing added comfort to the mix, with pairs of tartan covered cushions for all 25 homes.
Karen Johnson, Managing Director at BCG, said: “Our Intergenerational Tartan is the gift that keeps on giving. In the year that BCG has transitioned into a new chapter, it’s lovely to see the lasting legacy of this innovative community collaboration.
“The intergenerational connections our residents make with children across our homes are so important. This particular project highlights that notion in spades. We hope these cushions will continue to bring comfort for many years to come!”
