The creation of tartans that represent different faiths are a sign of the positive relationships between Scotland and diverse cultures.

Jews and Scots have both gained from their encounters of the past two centuries. There remains a tolerance and respect based on shared traditions. In 2008 a Scottish rabbi created the world's first official Jewish tartan. Mendel Jacobs, worked with the Scottish Tartans Authority and religious scholars to design a tartan that would reflect Scotland's Jewish history.

He said: "The Jewish people have been an integral part of Scottish culture for more than 300 years, with the first Jew recorded in Edinburgh in 1691. Talking about the colours in the tartan, he added

"The blue and white represent the colours of the Scottish and Israeli flags, with the central gold line representing the gold from the Biblical Tabernacle, the Ark of the Covenant and the many ceremonial vessels." in addition "The silver is from the decorations that adorn the Scroll of Law and the red represents the traditional red Kiddush wine".

Locharron, one of Scotlands most prestigous mills has produced the tartan that has proved popular with Jews in Israel and America as well as Scotland. At the time of the last census Scotland had a significant Jewish population of 6400.

Other religions have also marked their close relationship with Scotland.

This buddest tartan was designed for the Samye Ling Buddest centr.

The tartan colours represent the five elements in the Tibetan spectrum - Earth, Air, Fire, Water and Space.

Abbot Lama Yeshe Losal Rinpoche, designed a simple, dignified red check tartan to line the robes of his monks and nuns He says "we are fortunate to be established as part of the Scottish community and wanted a tartan for our Sangha to show how much appreciation we have for the people, culture and tradition of Scotland".

The Clergy tartan is unique in representing an occupation rather than a country. Established as a tartan for clerics since 1850, the Clergy tartan does not represent any particular sect or denomination. The Clergy tartan can be worn by ministers from the Church of Scotland, Scottish Episcopal Church Church of England as well as clergy from other faiths.

Sikhs settled in Scotland. Today Sikhs represent around 0.13% of the population 6,572.

The Singh tartan was the first officially registered Tartan of the Scottish Asian community - The Tartan was designed for Lord Iqbal Singh, a Scottish Laird. The plaid, incorporates the Singh family colour of blue, yellow for peace, green to represent the landed gentry and red as a tribute to the creators wife.

Scottish Tartans Society. Keith Lumsden, a society researcher said: Many with Indian ancestory have adopted Scottish tartan. The Gurkhas wore tartan as did many other Indian regiments."

Although there isn't an Islamic tartan, the Scottish Islamic Foundation are planning a tartan week in the Middle East to encourage greater ties between the Muslim world and Scotland.