AN AMERICAN couple have commemorated their love for Tweeddale by releasing a new tartan – named after the town of Peebles.

Jeff Harting and his partner John Toniolo of Evanston, Illinois, are the founders of Jamie Graham Fabrics, a bespoke tartan design company based in America.

The company, named after an ancestor of Harting named James Graham, who emigrated from Scotland to the US in the 17th Century.

And the firm continued to use fabric produced in Bute then imported to the United States.

Mr Harting and his partner arrived in Peebles two years ago, saying they quickly developed a ‘strong affection’ for the town and the wider Scottish Borders.

The couple became involved with the Royal Burgh after they took part in their first Beltane Festival rideout – befriending many local riders.

It’s a love affair that has quickly escalated, with Mr Harting and his husband looking to make Peebles their second home.

Speaking to the Peeblesshire News, Jeff said: “We have since joined in four more rideouts and actually spent a month here this past summer getting to know the area, its lovely people, and ‘settle into’ what we hope will become a physical second home in the next couple of years.

“With our strong affection for Peebles and the Scottish Borders, one of our fabrics has been named for this lovely town we consider so dear to us, as all our fabrics are named with an affection and relationship to places in Scotland we have experienced.”

The company already has a Highland and a Borders collection, with tartans named after Langholm, Dumfries, Ettrick and Lochcarron.

New patterns will also showcase the pair’s love of equestrian activity, as evidenced with their involvement with past Beltane Festival rideout.

If you would like to find out more about Jamie Graham Fabrics and their Borders collection, you can visit www.jamiegrahamfabrics.com/