AWARD-winning fashion designer Siobhan Mackenzie has created a bespoke tartan for the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games.
Mackenzie, who has made outfits for the likes of Alan Cumming and Justin Bieber, has made an official tartan that features the vivid Glasgow 2026 blue, pink and purple tones against a steel grey base as a nod to Glasgow’s rich industrial history.
It will be made in Scotland, using local textiles and manufacturers, and its first appearance will be on the clothing of the Games mascot – whose identity will be revealed later this month.
Mackenzie will also design a bespoke tartan for Team Scotland athletes and officials.
There is just one year to go until more than 3000 athletes compete in a 10-sport programme across four of the city’s iconic venues.
Fans will be able to buy official Glasgow 2026 tartan merchandise, and it will be added to the Scottish Register of Tartans.
Mackenzie said: “I feel honoured to be designing a tartan for such a momentous occasion in my home country.
“When I graduated as a fashion design student in 2014, I took on a role as a tailoring technician for the technical officials of the Games. At that point, designing the official tartan for the Games seemed like a pipedream – so this is truly a full circle moment.
“I love weaving stories into tartan design and while many people might be expecting a blue or green base, I looked at Glasgow’s rich history and felt inspired by the shipbuilding stories.
“It’s incredibly important to me that every thread of this project is made in Scotland and I’ll be working with local textiles and manufacturers to bring this design to life, and I can’t wait to see it across next year’s Games.”
The grey base has a thread count of 74 to represent the nations and territories competing at Glasgow 2026 and the dark blue section has been increased to 26 in homage to the Games taking place from July 23 to August 2, 2026.
More than 200 medals will be up for grabs at the Games, including in a record-breaking para sport programme with 47 events across six sports, the biggest track cycling, swimming and 3×3 basketball competitions seen at a Commonwealth Games, and the return of events like the Commonwealth mile in athletics.
Phil Batty, chief executive of Glasgow 2026, said: “Designing and creating tartan is a revered part of Scotland’s heritage and we’re honoured that Siobhan Mackenzie is weaving it into Glasgow 2026’s story with a bespoke Games tartan, designed in Scotland.
“Siobhan is an expert in her field and has collaborated closely with us throughout the production process.
“This special tartan draws inspiration from Glasgow’s Clyde-built history, and she has carefully selected the threads of wool to celebrate the Games with this one-off tartan.
“As Glasgow 2026 fast approaches with our one year to go milestone next week, this tartan is a sign of what’s to come next summer and will be part of the fabric of Glasgow 2026 across the city.”
