UPDATED SEPTEMBER 2025

A wee bit about me ...and my inspiration!

Being an Arbroath laddie born and bred, and spending many of my days in sight of the ancient Arbroath Abbey the Declaration of Arbroath has always been close to me, and as a patriotic Scot this gives me a strong sense of pride in my hometown and its heritage.

〜 〜 〜

A fine artist, tartan and graphic designer (since 1990) the Declaration of Arbroath, known also as the Declaration of Scottish Independence, has played a major role in my creative inspiration over the years ...especially so since the 2014 Scottish Independence Referendum.

Not long before 2014 I was developing an increasing interest in tartan design, and the creation of new and significant tartans which not only had powerful rationales woven within the threads but also in the formation of imagery within the geometry of the weave itself. Something I had never seen before!

〜 〜 〜

I was inspired to use the colours and stripes within a tartan to give a sense of form in the pattern ...and after being inspired by the vast sea of Scottish flags (both the Saltire and the Lion Rampant) in the run up to the 2014 vote ...the Declaration of Scottish Independence tartan was born.

 

 

 

---

The tartan's full ratified name - the Declaration of Scottish Independence, Arbroath 1320 ...is an official tartan only registered with permission granted by the Scottish Government on the 1st December 2014.

---

 

Then in 2016, after I heard the amazing news that the Declaration of Arbroath had been officially given world heritage recognition, with UNESCO granting it a MEMORY OF THE WORLD award... I was truly inspired!

I began work on a 100-piece fine art limited edition which became the commemorative life-size 3D replica, or facsimile, of the Declaration of Arbroath. This original edition has since sold out, with these fine art replicas finding homes across Scotland and worldwide — from Singapore to Dubai, Australia, and the US. While the life-size edition is no longer available, a scaled edition remains for collectors interested in this unique piece.

In all that I have done, with regards to the Declaration of Arbroath, I have always respected and recognised the provenance of the document, which is...

Crown Copyright, National Records of Scotland, SP13/7.

 

 

 

So that’s a wee snapshot of my story. The 700th anniversary of the Declaration of Arbroath came and went in 2020 — a landmark moment that inspired some special projects along the way.

Since then, my focus has shifted toward new work, and right now the priority is the launch of the Star-Spangled Banner Tartan. For the moment, the site has been streamlined to highlight this project. Other products, like kilt orders, aren’t available just now online, but they will return soon... once I’ve had the chance to catch up and update everything properly. If you’re interested in kilts or other bespoke pieces, feel free to get in touch directly, through my contact page — I’m always glad to hear from you.

〜 〜 〜

Alongside the limited-edition fine art prints of the Star-Spangled Banner Tartan, I’ll also be working on a small range of commemorative items for America’s 250th. These will feature the tartan in thoughtful, creative ways — not mass-produced, but designed with care and respect for tartan’s traditions.

 

 

🇺🇸

The Red, White & Blue

 

The Star-Spangled Banner Tartan itself has been on my mind for over a decade! Hard to believe, but yes, it was originally conceived way back in 2014 — back when I created the Declaration tartan ...the both went hand-in-hand.

It’s a fresh, bold tribute linking Scotland’s tartan heritage with America’s fight for independence — inspired by the flag that flew during the War of 1812 and the anthem it inspired. With permission from the Smithsonian, it was officially registered on July 4th, 2021.

Now, for the first time, it’s available as a fine art print in two editiom — Past and Present — each telling part of the story.

If you’d like to dive deeper into the background or see the prints themselves, you’ll find links below.

 

 

---

Star-Spangled Banner
(Flag of 1814)

Learn About the Tartan Rationales
— The differences in the two variants

• Read the PAST Edition Rationale
• Read the PRESENT Edition Rationale

 

Ltd Edition Fine Art Collectibles
— Browse the Star-Spangled Banner print editions & order

• See the PAST Edition Prints
• See the PRESENT Edition Prints

 

 

 

 

---

From my heart, Happy Birthyear America!
Steven Patrick Sim
The Tartan Artisan®, Freeman of Arbroath Brothock
💙

Cheers
Stevie :)

SCOTLAND

 

---

You can find learn more about my 3D replica of the Declaration of Arbroath - here: www.DeclarationOfArbroath3DFacsimile.com
...and here: flickr.com/photos/declarationofarbroath3dfacsimile