Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo: Eden Park weaves its own tartan

Eden Park chief executive Nick Saunter, with his Eden Park tartan jacket, designed and made by Murray Crane. Photo / supplied

It’s played host to World Cup finals, as well as Ed Sheeran, Billy Joel and Pink. It’s even had its own fragrance, and a French clothing line was named after it.

Now Eden Park has its own tartan, thanks to an idea that came to its enterprising chief executive while he was on a walk with his wife.

To mark the stadium’s hosting of the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo this Thursday, Friday and Saturday, the tartan has been developed in Scotland.

It features multiple distinct colours and stripes: green to represent the turf; blue to represent Auckland rugby and cricket; black to represent the All Blacks and Black Caps; white for the field markings; red for the volcanic terrain on which the stadium sits; and yellow for local iwi Ngāti Whātua.

And pink for rock and roll: “The concerts, the lights and the moments when the turf becomes a stage,” says Sautner.

The tartan is being brought to life in the form of scarves, cheesecutter hats and ties that will be available for sale.

Sautner himself was sporting a specially made Murray Crane-designed jacket with the tartan at the Blues v Chiefs Super Rugby match on Saturday night.

He came up with the idea of an Eden Park tartan while on a walk with his wife, Eliza, in St Heliers.

As they strolled past Kintail House, a specialist Scottish products store, their conversation turned to tradition and how Eden Park should acknowledge the upcoming Tattoo, which carries centuries of Scottish history.

“For more than 125 years, Eden Park has created memorable moments that become lasting legacies,” said Sautner.

“Hosting the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo is significant not just for our stadium, but for our country. When an event of this global standing comes to New Zealand, it deserves to be acknowledged thoughtfully.

Eden Park is the venue for the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo. Photo / Supplied

“Innovation is central to how Eden Park continues to evolve and attract events of international significance. Creating our own tartan respects the heritage of the Tattoo while ensuring this rare moment becomes part of our stadium’s history.”

With the assistance of Kintail House, the Eden Park Tartan has been designed and woven in Scotland by Lochcarron of Scotland, the world’s leading manufacturer of Scottish tartan, ensuring the provenance is true to the tradition it honours.

A cheesecutter hat costs $180, a scarf $125 and a tie $99. They are available online, or at Eden Park’s merchandise outlet at Gate G, Reimers Ave.

The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo performs at 8pm on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Tickets are available at Ticketek.