Textiles student, Minty Warner's design was selected to be the official tartan of Edinburgh Medical School in its 300th year and beyond. In 2025 in the lead up to Edinburgh Medical School 300, textiles students at Edinburgh College of Art were invited to propose ideas for a brand-new tartan which would become the official registered tartan of Edinburgh Medical School.Third year BA (Hons) Textiles student Minty Warner was selected by a panel of judges as the designer of the winning tartan which has now been registered and manufactured by Lochcarron of Scotland. Background to the designWhen beginning her project Minty researched the entire history of Edinburgh Medical School including its modelling on the Universities of Padua and Leiden, its exclusion of women until 1869 and its numerous contributions to scientific advancements.Minty opted for a structured grid like approach similar to a medical graph and chose to include a variety of University of Edinburgh colours, allowing it suit already registered designs.The thickest lines are the University of Edinburgh corporate blue and the red is another University core colour. The triple red lines are symbols of the influence from Padua (red is their university colour too), the success of scientific research and advancement from the past 300 years, and blood.Minty also decided to include the traditional Edinburgh Medical School colours and their inspiration from blood, liver and pus. The two thin lines of yellow are a nod to the pus element that was missing whilst also keeping the design symmetrical. Thicker purple lines symbolise the acceptance of women into the university, this colour broadly is recognised as representing women’s rights.In addition to celebrating achievement at Edinburgh Medical School, Minty was also committed to recognise the historic wrong doings of the University and reflect on the many groups that have been excluded over the years. In order to slightly tone down a bright and empowering design, Minty added grey.It is amazing to see how far not only the medical school, but the whole university has come in inclusivity, hopefully this is reflected within my design. The new tartan has been made into numerous garments including kilts and various accessories. It has been incorporated into a new and sustainable scrubs design for medical students at Edinburgh and was debuted at the 2026 Edinburgh Tartan Parade in early May. An interview with Minty on the Edinburgh College of Art websiteTartan merchandise available at the University of Edinburgh online shop This article was published on 2026-05-13
