Charles receives sample of new Prince’s Trust tartan on Highland trip

Prince Charles has visited a bespoke tailor in the Highlands and left with a swatch of the new tartan created for his charitable foundation.

Dozens of residents lined the streets as Charles attended Campbell’s of Beauly in Inverness-shire.

The Duke of Rothesay, as he is known when in Scotland, was met by owner John Sugden and his wife Nicola before being escorted around the premises to meet various members of staff.

He took a brief tour of the company’s main shop before being shown the new workshop space.

Charles also met John McLeish, chairman of the Scottish Tartans Authority, who presented the duke with a sample of the new Prince’s Foundation Tartan – created in honour of his 70th birthday late last year.

He said: “We are very lucky he is our patron. He is very, very supportive and has been over the last three years so we are very fortunate.

“Of course, his Royal Highness wears Highland dress so well and he doesn’t need an excuse to wear it, which is lovely to see.

“I think he was pleased with it but I will give it away with him so he can look at it more closely.”

To mark the official opening of the new workshop, Charles unveiled a stone plaque congratulating the team on their success in creating authentic garments within the Highlands.

Mr Sugden said: “It was absolutely wonderful. It was such an honour and a privilege to have his Royal Highness here.

“It’s great for Campbells but also the wider community of Beauly.

“It’s important to keep the skills going to keep them alive and that’s what we are trying to do at Dumfries House and the textile schools there in creating enthusiasm from a young age in going into these crafts and we are totally committed to making things here in Beauly and supporting the local community and creating employment.

“Creating employment is a wonderful thing in a local, rural and remote Highland outpost.”

Following on from his first engagement, Charles made his way across to Iain Marr’s Antique store – established in 1975 – where he viewed a selection of artefacts including Tain Silver, sporrans and Georgian pieces.

Speaking after the visit, Sarah Marr, daughter of owner Iain Marr and partner in the business, said: “It was such an honour to meet him and he is very good at making you immediately feel at ease. He was just a joy from start to finish.”