Voted for by sixty of our most active family members in the UK, USA, Canada and New Zealand, the above design was unveiled as the official Sorbie tartan on 10th February 2003. It is based on the 'Galloway' tartan which is derived from the homeland of the Sorbie family, but is of a blue shade rather than the more often used green effect. It can be worn by anyone with the surname 'Sorbie' or a descendant of a person called Sorbie (regardless of surname).
It emerged as the clear winner from four alternatives, all designed by Colin Hutcheson who was Managing Director of one of the largest kilt makers and tartan clothing specialist in Scotland, Kinloch Anderson, for 18 years but is now semi-retired and working as a director of another large woollen company, Johnstons of Elgin.
Thanks to Muriel Sorbie of Edinburgh who commissioned Colin to design the pattern, we now have a tartan to call our own. This has now been registered in conjunction with Brian Wilton, the Chief Executive of the Scottish Tartans Authority.
The next step was to decide how much cloth should be woven. This was done and the first Sorbie goods to be manufactured were ties and scarves. These were produced by Strathmore Woollens of Forfar, Angus. This project was completed in July 2003 and the result met great approval from the family gathering held that month. The merchandise is now available for purchase - for further information on availability and prices, please contact Muriel Sorbie.
We have now made some additional items available such as ladies skirts, gents trousers, waistcoats and of course kilts.
Again please contact Muriel if you wish to make an order.
The Sorbie tartan was formally registered with the "Scottish Tartans Authority" on 20th August 2004.
Click here to see the official certificate.