First look at special tartan created in honour of Greenock's most famous son James Watt

The 'James Watt Commemorative tartan' has been registered by Inverclyde Council in the official Scottish Register of Tartans to mark the 200th anniversary of his death.

Tartan connoisseur Councillor Ciano Rebecchi says he loves the design.

He said: "It's lovely - I really like the colours used.

"It's a dress tartan and it will go with different colours of jackets.

"We should be proud to wear it.

"I would love to wear it as tartan trousers."

Councillor Rebecchi believes the tartan could put Inverclyde on the world stage.

He said: "I think this will be really good for Greenock and Inverclyde.

"Anything that can promote the area is great.

"People coming off the boats would buy that, as would ex-pats in America.

"It's a great way to promote Inverclyde."

A description accompanying the tartan says that each colour has a special significance.

It says: "The James Watt tartan was designed as part of a year of commemorative events in 2019 held by Inverclyde Council to mark the bicentenary of his death in August 1819.

"Dark grey represents industrial works and tools; light grey represents steam; orange represents the signage and colours within the James Watt Institute and blue has been included represent Inverclyde Council."

The local authority has organised a year-long series of events to mark the 200th anniversary of James Watt’s death.

His refined steam engine paved the way for the industrial revolution which transformed the world and the unit of power, the watt, was named after him.