When Guernsey Tartan was launched, one of the most enthusiastic responses came from an unexpected quarter, a Royal Air Force squadron based hundreds of miles away in Scotland. Yet for members of 201 Squadron RAF, the connection made perfect sense.

Rob McCartney, former wing commander, explained during a recent visit to Guernsey for Liberation Day celebrations, the tartan first came to their attention through social media. The squadron’s warrant officer spotted coverage of the launch and shared it within the unit.

“We track everything Guernsey,” he explained. “We’re so far away from Guernsey, we feel like we need to keep in touch.”

Today, 201 Squadron is based at RAF Lossiemouth in Scotland, but its connection with Guernsey stretches back generations. The squadron was formally affiliated with the island in 1939, and that relationship has endured through war, technological advancements and the changing decades. The squadron proudly carries the nickname “Guernsey’s Own” and remains one of the island’s closest military links.

It was therefore perhaps inevitable that a tartan created to celebrate Guernsey’s heritage would attract their attention.

“We’re a Scottish squadron,” McCartney said. “We’re affiliated with Guernsey and have been for a very long time. Tartan and us just made complete sense.”

That combination of Scottish tradition and Guernsey identity lies at the heart of the relationship. While Guernsey Tartan draws inspiration from the island’s landscape, history and culture, tartan itself is deeply associated with Scotland. For 201 Squadron, whose identity is shaped by both places, the connection felt natural from the start.

“When we saw Guernsey Tartan, we were straight in. Guernsey Tartan? We need to be all over that.”

The squadron has since embraced the tartan, commissioning items including cummerbunds, bow ties and flying suit name patches. Plans for further items remain under discussion, reflecting the enthusiasm with which the tartan has been received.

More importantly, however, the tartan has become another expression of an already strong relationship.

“If you look at what tartan is all about, it’s about tribes, it’s about clans, it’s about saying we’re a little bit different. Not better, just a little bit different. And about identity.”

Those themes resonate strongly within military units, where tradition remains an important part of squadron life.

“That’s what this RAF flying squadron is all about. We’re not better than everybody else, we’re just a bit different. So anything that we can bring into the squadron that adds to our identity, our heritage and our pride.”

Those sentiments were particularly evident during this year’s Liberation Day celebrations. Members of 201 Squadron travelled to Guernsey to take part in the 2026 commemorations, joining islanders in marking the 81st anniversary of Liberation.

For many visitors, Liberation Day provides an opportunity to strengthen long-standing ties with the island. For 201 Squadron, it is a chance to reconnect with a community that has supported and celebrated the squadron for generations.

Their participation in the parade served as a reminder that the affiliation is not merely historical. It remains a living relationship, built on mutual respect and genuine affection.

“We love Guernsey,” McCartney said simply. “Which means we love Guernsey Tartan. The two things go together.”

Perhaps the most striking aspect of the interview was the warmth with which the squadron spoke about the island.

“It really has been a joy to be involved with the Guernsey Tartan movement.”

The feeling, it seems, is mutual.

Over the years, Guernsey has welcomed countless visits from squadron personnel, while generations of islanders have followed the achievements of “Guernsey’s Own”. The adoption of Guernsey Tartan is simply the latest chapter in a relationship that continues to evolve while remaining firmly rooted in shared history.

As the interview drew to a close, the squadron representative summed up the relationship in the simplest possible terms:

“It’s not just Guernsey Tartan. It’s our experience here in Guernsey more generally. It would appear to be win-win. No one loses from this. We love you, you love us, and long may it continue.”

For Guernsey Tartan, it is difficult to imagine a finer endorsement.