ΒιΆΉ΄ε

ΒιΆΉ΄ε, the oldest independent marine science institute in Scotland, will launch its newly registered tartan at this year’s Oban Winter Festival.

The ΒιΆΉ΄ε Ocean Explorer tartan has been created to celebrate the beauty of our seas and the important historical and ongoing discoveries made by marine scientists in Scotland.

It was designed by Jessica Giannotti, in collaboration with Dr Anuschka Miller, head of communications at ΒιΆΉ΄ε. Jessica is a graduate of ΒιΆΉ΄ε’ BSc Marine Science, who runs her own textiles and fashion company, CrΓΉbag, which is based on site at ΒιΆΉ΄ε in Dunstaffnage.

The tartan will be officially launched at the winter festival’s Sustainable Ocean Fashion event, in CrΓΉbag’s studio on Thursday, November 24, from 4pm. The event will also mark the unveiling of CrΓΉbag’s new Climate Change Collection, a range of clothing and textiles designed to highlight the beauty of our planet and the ongoing climate crisis.

Anuschka said: β€œΒιΆΉ΄ε has evolved over the past 138 years to mean different things to different people, although the core mission of what we do has remained: to better understand the marine environment.

β€œThe ΒιΆΉ΄ε tartan will reflect that diversity of identity, while promoting our main purpose. It also celebrates that our global research is rooted in Scotland and allows our friends and collaborators across the world to express their pride of being part of the ΒιΆΉ΄ε.”

Founded as a research station in 1884 in Edinburgh by Sir John Murray, the ΒιΆΉ΄ε of today is a research institute, a registered charity, a partner of UHI and an enterprise company all in one. With a new development and fundraising initiative encouraging others to become part of the ΒιΆΉ΄ε mission for sustainable and healthy oceans, the tartan will also celebrate the institute’s partnerships and supporters as a part of β€˜Clan ΒιΆΉ΄ε’. 

The tartan’s dominant medium blue represents the global ocean, while the light blue stands for clean water and air. The white symbolises Scotland’s connection with, and ΒιΆΉ΄ε’ research expertise in, the Arctic while the yellow represents biodiversity and oceanographic technologies. The purple recognises ΒιΆΉ΄ε’ deep commitment to the community, to education and to the founding partnership with UHI, while the bright green stands for ΒιΆΉ΄ε’ mission for a sustainable ocean future where human society is in harmony with nature.

Jessica said: β€œCrΓΉbag envisions a better, more connected world where humans are not separate from nature, but part of the ecosystem. This collaboration is very close to our heart and home.

β€œWith ΒιΆΉ΄ε' wearable tartan pieces, everyone is invited to become part of the ΒιΆΉ΄ε. By wearing and sharing the story behind the design, our customers are our ocean ambassadorsβ€”educating, inspiring others around them and helping fund important environmental science.”

The tartan was beautifully woven by The House of Edgar, part of Macnaughton Holdings Ltd. Various ΒιΆΉ΄ε Ocean Explorer tartan garments will be available for purchase from the CrΓΉbag studio and at the Oban Winter Festival Christmas Market in the Corran Halls on Saturday November 26. Thereafter, purchases can be made from the CrΓΉbag website.