Specials & Clearance
We've added a few more bargain items - including some 1-metre lengths of lightweight pure wool tartan; a Sporran-inspired shoulder bag; some sizes of our very comfortable orthopaedic brogues; and more. Take a look at the full Clearance/Specials range here
Hire a Kilt For Your School Ball!
It's that time of the year again. Stand out from the crowd - hire a Kilt Outfit instead of a boring old suit for your Ball. We've had lots of "Best Dressed" winners over the years and can advise on a suitable "look" from very formal to less so. Hiring is simple, we send hire outfits all over New Zealand, and we even send dressing instructions to help if you haven't worn a Kilt often (or ever). Check the different options in our Kilt Hire section; you can order online or feel free to call or email us for help - (09) 9717694; graham@scotsinspirit.com
NEW - Products for Pups
Include your pup in the Clan - after all, they're family members too! Check our new Pets section.
Events coming up
Several Scottish-themed events are happening in the next few weeks and beyond, including concerts in Waipu and New Plymouth, a Kirkin' of the Tartan ceremony in Auckland and International Tartan Day on 1 July. Check our Events Calendar for all the details.
Some Dates in Scottish History for June
11 June 1560: The death at Edinburgh Castle of Marie de Guise, Regent of Scotland and mother of Mary, Queen of Scots. Mary became Queen of Scots at 6 days old when her father (Marie's husband) James V died in 1542; thrust into political life, Marie became regent in 1554. Her regency was aimed at protecting and advancing Mary's interests and the Franco-Scottish alliance.
15 June 1567: Scottish nobles intent on taking Mary Queen of Scots from her then husband James Hepburn, 4th Earl of Bothwell, met the couple and a thousand supporters at Carberry Hill, east of Edinburgh. After a day long stand-off Mary agreed to the nobles' demands and sent Bothwell away. They never met again. Mary was imprisoned in Lochleven Castle on an island in Loch Leven.
16 June 1338: The English (under William Montagu, 1st Earl of Salisbury) gave up their siege of Dunbar Castle. They beseiged the castle while Patrick, 9th Earl of Dunbar and March was away; his wife, Agnes Randolph of Dunbar - known as Black Agnes due to her dark complexion - refused to surrender and led the 5-month defence.
17 June 1390: Alexander Stewart, youngest son of Robert II, destroyed Elgin Cathedral in revenge against its Bishop Alexander Bur who had opposed him on a number of issues. He is now remembered as the "Wolf of Badenoch".
27 June 1746: Flora MacDonald sailed "over the sea to Skye" from Benbecula with a disguised Bonnie Prince Charlie.
27 June 1967. What is now considered the world's first ATM
was installed at Barclays Bank, Enfield, North London. It was invented by a team led by John Shepherd-Barron, a Scottish engineer with printing firm De La Rue. He explained his inspiration as: "It struck me there must be a way I could get my own money, anywhere ... I hit upon the idea of a chocolate bar dispenser, but replacing chocolate with cash."
29 June 1559: John Knox preached a sermon in St Giles' Cathedral in Edinburgh, regarded as the real starting point of the Reformation of the Church in Scotland.
1 July 1782: Repeal of the Act of Proscription (1746). Part of the aftermath of the Jacobite rising of 1745, this Act had outlawed the wearing of Highland dress and tartan, in an attempt to suppress the Highland clan system and prevent future rebellions.
