The Design Story
In celebration of WL Sleigh's 50th anniversary and the bright future of the three companies under the Sleigh umbrella, Araminta was commissioned to design a bespoke Sleigh’s tartan. We are thrilled to share the story behind their bespoke Araminta Campbell design. Inspired by Scotland, Designed in Scotland, Made in Scotland.
Photography by Matt Brown
Photography by Matt Brown
Photography by Matt Brown
Photography by Matt Brown
A Wonderful Collaboration: Araminta Campbell and Sleigh’s
Known for organising bespoke luxury adventures, Sleigh’s create personalised tours and experiences that cater to the unique desires of their clients. One of their curated experiences is the private shopping experience at our Atelier, nestled on the picturesque outskirts of Edinburgh. Sleigh’s expertise in bespoke luxury travel perfectly complements our dedication to traditional Scottish craftsmanship, and we work closely with them to give their clients a truly unique experience in our Atelier.
The creation of Sleigh’s bespoke tartan has been an incredibly fulfilling journey for us. From the moment we were approached by Sleigh’s, we knew this project would be special. Working with a brand that shares our passion for Scotland’s rich heritage and commitment to excellence has made this experience truly unique and rewarding.
Inspirations Behind Sleigh’s Tartan: A Creative Consultation
The creation of Sleigh’s bespoke tartan began with an inspiring consultation at our castle-like Atelier on the outskirts of Edinburgh. The Sleigh’s team arrived with a vision that beautifully intertwined their family’s rich history, their Scottish heritage, and their future aspirations. This meeting was an exciting collaboration, filled with creative energy and thoughtful discussion.
During the consultation, the team at Sleigh’s provided a presentation filled with stunning imagery. This included breathtaking Scottish landscapes, natural elements, and other sources of inspiration that guided the creative process. The images showcased the vibrant greens of the forests, the majestic purples of the heather, the earthy browns of the peat, and the brilliant golds of sunsets and daffodils. Each picture served as a muse for Araminta, inspiring her to weave these elements into a cohesive and harmonious design.
Capturing Nature’s Palette
The Sleigh’s team emphasised incorporating colours rooted in Scotland’s natural beauty: green for lush forests, earthy browns for the rugged landscape and whisky heritage, regal purples for the thistle and heather, their century old royal warrant, and vibrant yellows, oranges, and golds symbolising new beginnings. Blue hues were also included to evoke Scotland’s untamed waters.
The Final Design
Each colour and pattern in the tartan is a testament to Sleigh’s legacy and connection to Scotland. The vibrant greens, majestic purples, earthy browns, and golden hues come together to create a timeless design that is both eye-catching and versatile. This thoughtful approach ensures the tartan is not only a beautiful representation of their heritage but also a stylish and practical addition to their brand image.
The design captures the essence of Sleigh’s—timeless elegance, deep-rooted heritage, and a future filled with promise.
Throughout the project, the collaboration with Sleigh’s was marked by a shared commitment to quality and artistry. The team at Sleigh’s was deeply involved at every stage, offering valuable insights and showing great appreciation for the craftsmanship involved. We are honoured to have been part of creating a tartan that symbolises so much for the family and brand.
This collaboration is a testament to the power of combining expertise and creativity to deliver something truly exceptional.
Discover the hidden numerical references Araminta has embellished the tartan with here.
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We are guardians of people’s stories...
We ourselves are stories that weave and take shape through the thread, thanks to the gentle hands of the weavers.
The yarn, the loom, our and your stories, are the tools we have chosen to make what cannot be seen or touched, real and wearable. We give shape to the values in which we believe, we give voice to stories to be shared with those dearest to us, forever.
Not just exquisite works of art to wear, but ambassadors, ‘talking’ objects, timeless storytellers of meanings and values that we want to preserve and pass on.
Meet Isabelle, one of our talented handweavers!
Isabelle has long had an interest in textiles, ever since her grandmother taught her to sew.
She discovered weaving when visiting universities before applying to study. Immediately captivated by the woven textile displays at Loughborough University – the home of our George Wood looms – She became fascinated by how these complex woven structures could be created from just a few cones of yarn.
Isabelle enjoys the slow, hands-on process of weaving, appreciating how it demands your full and present focus, and is always excited to share the complexities of handweaving to our visitors.
Meet Helen, one of our talented handweavers!
As an advocate for sustainability and ethical production, handweaving appealed to Helen as the embodiment of slow, responsible craft.
She fell in love with the challenging yet meditative weave process during her textile degree at the Glasgow School of Art.
Helen adores that she can name the alpacas in the pieces that she weaves, as this level of provenance imbues the pieces with deeper meaning for both weaver and future owner.
We choose 100% undyed British alpaca fiber for our designs because it embodies the values we hold dear: sustainability, durability, and unparalleled luxury. Each fleece is sourced from carefully chosen UK farms where animal welfare is a top priority.
Our close relationships with breeders enable us to trace many of our yarns back to the individual alpacas, ensuring exceptional quality and transparency. The alpaca’s fleeces are left undyed, allowing the natural richness and unique tones of their coats to shine through in every piece.
In the UK, only 5–10% of alpacas produce fleece of the exceptional quality we require. Every fiber is meticulously selected for its fineness, crimp, luster, and colour, ensuring our pieces meet the highest standards of luxury and craftsmanship.
It has taken years for our weavers to attain the skill and knowledge required to create our handwoven items.
Handweaving takes precision and patience, with each warp prepared by hand and meticulously threaded through the shafts of the loom. Once weaving is complete there is a lengthy finishing process involving darning, stitching, washing and brushing – all by hand.
It can take our handweavers anywhere between 2 to 6 weeks to complete one of our Signature pieces.
Each piece in our Heritage handwoven collection has been inspired by Araminta’s deep love for the natural beauty of the Scottish landscape.
From the golden glow of the beech woodlands surrounding her family home in the Royal Deeside Corridor during autumn, to the ethereal light of the Scottish Highlands at dawn and dusk, the landscape is a constant source of inspiration for Araminta. The shifting interplay of colours, textures, and natural rhythms informs each handwoven piece, translating fleeting moments into timeless design.
Any moment in time could become Araminta’s next creation.
Meet Lisa, one of our talented handweavers!
Lisa studied weaving at Heriot Watt University, in the borders of Scotland – an area renowned for its textile production.
She always enjoyed creating things and was recommended to study textiles by her art teacher. When first starting out in her weave degree, she found the slow process of setting up challenging, yet today it’s her favourite part.
She finds peace whilst threading the loom, enjoying and embracing the flow.
Each piece has been lovingly handwoven and finished in our Edinburgh Atelier by our team of handweavers on vintage George Wood looms.
Araminta Campbell is one of the largest employers of handweavers in Scotland, fostering employment for talented craftspeople in Scotland plays a vital role in preserving the rich legacy of Scottish textile craftsmanship. Every thread woven in the Atelier carries with it the heritage and passion of centuries-old traditions, brought vividly to life through contemporary designs, and the work of our talented weavers.
It has taken years for our weavers to attain the skill and knowledge required to create our handwoven items.
Handweaving takes precision and patience, with each warp prepared by hand and meticulously threaded through the shafts of the loom. Once weaving is complete there is a lengthy finishing process involving darning, stitching, washing and brushing – all by hand.
When you choose one of our handwoven treasures, you’re not just owning a piece of Scotland’s rich textile heritage – you’re connecting with the hands that brought it to life.
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