The Church of Scotland has launched its own official tartan.

Tartans were traditionally associated with different regions in Scotland, but patterns were assigned to specific clans and institutions in the 19th century.

The Kirk's design has been entered in the Scottish Register of Tartans and will be used to make a wide range of products including kilts, scarves, ties and furniture upholstery.

According to Rev Iain Cunningham, convener of the World Mission Council which commissioned the tartan on behalf of the wider Church, the design is 'eye catching and well balanced'.

He said the idea was to make use of colours associated with the liturgical calendar, Christian tradition and links with the nation of Scotland.

Purple symbolises royalty, the sovereignty of Jesus Christ as the head of the Church, divinity, the thistle and heather.

Red represents the blood of Christ, Christian martyrs, the flames of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit, the Burning Bush from which God spoke to Moses and the Scottish Lion Rampant.

Blue represents Mary, the mother of Christ, the sky, St Andrew, the patron saint of Scotland, and the Kirk itself.

Green is for the earth, growth, glens, moors and mountains.

White symbolises brightness, the purity of Christ, the cross in the official emblem of the Church of Scotland and the Saltire, the country's national flag.

Cunningham, who watched the tartan being made at Lochcarron of Scotland, in Selkirk in the Scottish Borders, said: 'All of the colours have multiple levels of significance for the Church and help to tell its rich story.'

He said tartan ties and scarves would make ideal gifts for representatives of the Church, including the Moderator of the General Assembly, to give to people they meet at home and abroad on official engagements.