Team Scotland reveal parade outfits for Commonwealth Games in Birmingham

Team Scotland have unveiled the outfits the athletes will wear for the opening ceremony at the Commonwealth Games.

Scotland’s athletes will wear the new kit just over a month from now, when the Birmingham games get under way on July 28.

Scottish fashion designer Siobhan Mackenzie designed the outfits, and the tartan design includes colours synonymous with both Team Scotland and Birmingham 2022.

Scotland will walk out in their new uniform at the opening ceremony. MBP for Team Scotland

Swimmer Ross Murdoch, who won gold at the Glasgow games in 2014, is a big fan of the design.

Gold medallist Ross Murdoch says excitement is building for the Games. MBP for Team Scotland

“I love the outfit,” Murdoch said. “This is my third Commonwealth Games with Team Scotland and it’s always a proud moment to receive the kit – it puts an extra spring in your step when you are representing the country wearing it.

“There’s been a real buzz around team camp today – everyone is excited to get down to Birmingham and compete in what is close to a home Games for us.”

Sammi Kinghorn described the outfits as “stunning”.

Para-athletics wheelchair racer Sammi Kinghorn MBE said: “The design is stunning.

“Opening ceremonies are special nights for athletes, and it feels like a lot of time and attention has gone into making sure we are looking the part going out for the parade.

“There are a lot of nice touches and detail across the design, and I can’t wait for that moment at the opening ceremony when we all go out together wearing the outfit.”

The outifts were made traditionally where possible, from local components. MBP for Team Scotland

The tartan was woven by the Lochcarron Mill in Selkirk, with all other components manufactured locally and using traditional methods where possible. Designer Siobhan Mackenzie said that was important, and that she was proud to be a part of the process.

She said: “It’s such an honour to be involved in the design of the outfits.

“We consulted with the committee and athletes’ panel to make sure it was something they were going to be happy in, and we’ve been delighted with the reaction we’ve had from the athletes so far.

“I played around with the scale of the tartan, which is the main aesthetic feature of the final pieces, and the devil’s always in the detail, with little touchers across – buckles, buttons, linings and stitching colour.

“It’s a contemporary take on tradition and, importantly, is made in Scotland using traditional methods.

“It’s such an honour to be involved in the design of the outfits – I really can’t wait to see the
athletes emerge into the stadium wearing them.”

Team Scotland chef de mission Elinor Middlemiss said: “It is great to finally see the final designs come to life.

“Planning for the parade outfits started a couple of years ago and went through a number of stages including great input from our athlete’s panel.

“I hope our athletes will take great pride in wearing it at the opening ceremony.”