Commonwealth Games gold medallist Hannah Miley has helped unveil the Team Scotland tartan for Glasgow 2014.

The new look has been designed by internationally known textile designer and artist, Jilli Blackwood and the tartan has been produced by House of Edgar at the Isle Mill in Keith, Aberdeenshire, not far from Hannah’s home in Inverurie.

On a recent visit to the mill and swathed in the tartan straight from the loom Hannah said: “I really like the look of the tartan, it is bright and colourful and everybody will know when the Team Scotland arrives in the stadium.

“You instantly know who the Scottish team are because the kilt and the tartan are unique to us and we’re very proud of it and it makes you stand tall.

“Jilli has done an amazing job of designing it and I feel very privileged to get a sneak preview. I will be really proud to wear the tartan next summer after I hopefully qualify for the team in April.”

Hannah, aged 24 said: “I really like the look of the tartan, it is bright and colourful and it will definitely be great for spotting the Scottish team. Jillie has done an amazing job of designing it and everybody will know when the Scottish team arrives at the Opening Ceremony.”

Hannah has been amongst the best in the world in the 400m Individual Medley for a number of years now and along with her Commonwealth Games gold medal from Delhi 2010, she has picked up a 2013 World Cup silver medal, and a gold at the 2012 European Championships. With all the accolades of a top international swimmer, it may be a surprise to find out that Hannah actually only started swimming as a result of water safety concerns.

“Patrick, my Dad is a Helicopter pilot and a voluntary swim coach. A long time ago he was on holiday and a kid was drowning; he actually jumped in and saved the boy’s life. So my Dad made sure that I and my two brothers were very well acquainted with water and he took us to the pool ever since we were babies.”

“I was three when my Dad started coaching me and that arguably actually led me to being better coordinated in water than I was on land. As a kid, I thought I was flying when you look down at the pool so I have always really enjoyed being in the water.”

Living at her family home in Inverurie with her two brothers, who are also her training partners, Hannah said: “Living in the Miley household is never easy but we have a great dynamic that really pushes on our performances. Our Dad knows his stuff; he may be a volunteer but he has previously coached Olympians and has designed various bit of training equipment. We all respect what he says.”

Just before enjoying a nice quiet family Christmas, Hannah was part of the European Allstar lineup that narrowly lost by one point to the USA Allstars at Duel in the Pool in Glasgow. Hannah’s attention will now turn to 3-6 and 10-15 April where she will attempt to reach the qualifying standard to be eligible for Team Scotland ahead of Glasgow 2014.

You can follow Hannah on Twitter @HannahMiley89

Photo Credit: Alisdair Devine