An Vale man has designed a tartan to mark 100 years of Erskine.

Bill Clezy, a former pipe major, runs a bagpipe, kilt and kilt hire business in Alexandria.

Stemming from a hobby making bagpipes in his garden shed, Bill has now established an international business for over two decades.

House of Argyll was recently commissioned to design a tartan to mark the centenary year of Erskine - which will be used to raise funds for the charity.

Mr Clezy said: "They approached me, we used to have a contract for the MOD, which we had for many years.

Our main charity that we support is Erskine.

I served in the army, I was a pipe major. I finished up in the army at 59 years old.

"In July this year, we are marking our 21st year in business."

Mr Clezy said making bagpipes had originally been a hobby, which he has expanded to form a worldwide business.

He said: "It started with bagpipes, kilts, dress kilts, and we also so hire now.

"It was a hobby of mine - garden shed syndrome - making bagpipes."

The Erskine Centenary Tartan incorporates the traditional colours of all three Armed Services; Navy, Army and RAF along with the gold of the Erskine Centenary crest.

Talking about the design process, Mr Clezy told the Reporter he spent "many meetings" at the hospital discussing plans.

He said: "We came up with five different designs. We tweaked and tweaked them until there was a final design.

"I put it in production at the mill, and we've now got the finished tartan.

"We are just waiting on orders coming in, they put out a brochure which goes all over the world, and people order from that.

"For the tartan, they will be making orders with us."

Erskine supports ex-service men and women. The tartan will be made into kilts, trews, skirts and waistcoats.

Krystyna Caulfield, Marketing Officer at Erskine: “As Erskine commemorates is Centenary year it seems fitting to launch a new Erskine Centenary Tartan.

"This tartan epitomises the pride and history of the ex-Service community, incorporating the traditional colours of all three Armed Services and the Erskine Centenary Crest.

"We are delighted to launch our Centenary Tartan in partnership with Argyll Kilts, who are renowned for their wonderful hand sewn, military kilts.

"Bill is a huge supporter of Erskine and assisted us in designing and developing the Erskine Centenary Tartan. He has also been involved in a few fundraising initiatives and continues to support and assist our fundraising efforts."