18 November 2025

The Inverness Castle Experience Unveils Its Own Tartan, Woven by Prickly Thistle

The Inverness Castle Experience has unveiled its very own tartan – a design proudly created and woven in the Highlands, less than 20 miles from the castle, by sustainable fashion house Prickly Thistle. The bespoke tartan celebrates a shared commitment to heritage, skill and community, symbolising the spirit of the Highlands and the sense that there truly is no place like home.

The Inverness Castle Experience project is part of the Inverness and Highland City-Region Deal, a joint initiative supported by up to £315m investment from the UK and Scottish governments, The Highland Council, Highlands and Islands Enterprise and the University of the Highlands and Islands, aimed at stimulating sustainable regional economic growth.

Clare Campbell, founder of Prickly Thistle, has built a reputation for challenging traditional ideas of tartan and manufacturing. Rooted in sustainability and heritage, her work draws on the landscape, stories and values of the Highlands, all produced from her Highland mill using natural fibres and traditional looms. Prickly Thistle has created a bespoke tartan, a design woven with meaning, that will feature in a range of retail items in the Castle shop and also form a key part of the staff uniform, creating a living, wearable story of the Highlands.

A short film featuring Clare Campbell tells the story behind the design and its connection to The Inverness Castle Experience, sharing how this modern expression of tartan weaves together people, place and purpose. The film is available to view here.

Councillor Ian Brown, Leader of Inverness and Co-Chair of The Inverness Castle Delivery Group, said: “Working with Clare and Prickly Thistle has been a natural partnership; Clare's creativity and commitment to sustainability reflect the same values at the heart of The Inverness Castle Experience. The new tartan is a meaningful expression of Highland identity, crafted here in the Highlands for a project that celebrates this special place and its people.”

Michael Golding, Chair of High Life Highland Charity Board, said, "We’re delighted to see the creativity of the Highlands reflected in the new tartan. Designed and produced by Prickly Thistle, it symbolises the strength of local talent and the value of working together to celebrate our heritage in new ways. High Life Highland’s purpose focuses on ‘Making Life Better’ for the people of the Highlands, and partnerships like this show how that ambition can be brought to life.”

Clare Campbell, Founder of Prickly Thistle, added: “This tartan is woven with the threads of Highland stories, landscapes and values that shape who we are. It’s been a privilege to create something that celebrates Inverness Castle’s new chapter while honouring centuries of Highland craftsmanship. Every piece made from this cloth carries the spirit of home.”

The collaboration with Prickly Thistle forms part of The Inverness Castle Experience’s ongoing commitment to supporting local creativity and sustainable practice as it prepares to welcome visitors for the first time.

The Inverness Castle Experience has benefited from investment to support its redevelopment from the Scottish and UK Governments, The Highland Council, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, and a range of other funders.