Edgecumbe businessman Gordon Sherwood has recently embraced his Scottish roots, tracing the family line back to the 1700s. With this in mind, he deemed it appropriate to embrace National Tartan Day with all the enthusiasm a Scotsman could muster.  

The road to Scottish discovery was paved with knocks and bumps, starting at age two when a freak gust of wind up ended the lad, causing a concussion.

Consecutive head knocks, including a childhood trolley crash and a motorbike accident as an adult, has led to brain trauma issues that affect his memory.

To counter the effects of these consecutive injuries, Mr Sherwood was advised by his doctor to either study a language or learn to play a musical instrument to help his brain rewire itself.

Mr Sherwood decided to take an interest in his Scottish heritage and began exploring the Sherwood line back through the ages.

The advice relating to musical instruments alongside his research led Mr Sherwood to take up the bagpipes.

That was 10 months ago and with the realisation that July 1 was National Tartan Day, Mr Sherwood broke out the cap, kilt and vest.

With the help of his wife, Beth, and Kawerau piper Iain Foxell, they made a day of it, encouraging the public to participate by offering a $50 voucher to anyone who came into their shop, Heaven’s Ascent in Riverslea Mall, sporting a kilt.

National Tartan Day began in Nova Scotia Canada in 1987 and is celebrated around the world annually on April 6.

New Zealand and Australia celebrate the event on July 1, with New Zealand having marked the day since 2008.

The reason for the day revolves around the repeal of the Act of Proscription, which was passed by the British Parliament in 1746 in response to the Jacobite rising of 1745. The aim of the act was to remove the clan system in an attempt to bring the highlands under government control. It also included the banning of traditional dress including the kilt as well as laws disarming the clans.

National Tartan Day is a day for remembrance and pride for the historical contributions of the Scottish around the world.

For Mr Sherwood, it allows him to reflect on a proud family lineage and to remember himself as a boy who wore his grandfather’s Ghillie Brogues to school.