Scottish National / Freedom / Pride of / Heritage

[Cavebear58]

Does anyone know the 'history' of the four generic tartans - Scottish National, Pride of Scotland, Freedom, and Scottish Heritage?

I'm trying to decide which to go for in a really casual day wear kilt, and knowing something might just tip the scales one way or another.

Thanks, Graham.

[The Wizard of BC]

Every once in a while I google myself. One day I put in Freedom Kilts and got a hit back on a "Freedom Kilt" which I did not recognize. So I took a look.

What do you think my face looked like when I found re-sellers of Pakistani made Kilts in what they were calling "The Freedom Kilt".

It seems from telephone conversations (Some quite heated I might add) that the Freedom Tartan was designed, and the Kilts made from it, to be sold as "Freedom Kilts".

At first I didn't know how to take that. Should I be flattered that they thought my Kilts were successful enough to copy the name, or should I be angry at someone try to cash in on what I have built.

In the end I decided to simply ask them to advertise as "Kilts made from the Freedom Tartan".

The Freedom Tartan is not registered with the Scottish Tartan Authority.

[george7]

They come from tat shops in Edinburgh... and they are not limited to just four.

[The Wizard of BC]

You will notice that I was polite as I could be in my description of the conversations that took place.

These Tartans are not technically "Universal" Tartans. They are only sold through shops that deal in the re-selling of Acrylic, low-priced garments.

You cannot call a weaving mill and have them make some up for you so they are not universally available. They are only universal in the sense that they have no Clan affiliation and can be worn by anyone.

[fluter]

Hmm, I thought Scottish National was a "real" one. Isn't that available in Marton PV? Then they have another in wool, labelled Scotland's National. That's the point at which I get confused. :-)

[Phil]

Scottish National is a genuine district-type tartan and goes back before the "tartan tat" boys got going. The other three I don't know about but anything with "Pride" or "Heritage" in the name is likely to be one of theirs.

[Cavebear58]

Hmm?!

I'm not pretending that the "World Register" (www.tartans.scotland.net) is an accurate source, but I guess to the layperson it'll do as a starter...

Scottish Pride Commercial Tartan WR2348
(Sold as a universal tartan. Woven by Lochcarron Weavers.)

Scottish National Universal Tartan WR2154
(Designed originally for the Scottish National Party but now manufactured and sold without the political association.) *This is the one I was thinking of for my own purchase - think Black Watch with red and white overlapping lines.

Pride of Scotland Universal Tartan WR2469
(This tartan is a Registered Design under the Design Act. It was created for all who aspire to an association with Scotland and might not have a clan or family connection that would enable them to wear a tartan of their own. The colours represent:- Blue and White for Saltire. Purple and Green for the hills.)

National Universal Tartan WR1775
(This sett was designed by the National Association of Scottish Woollen Manufacturers in 1934.)

So, there are no Freedom or Heritage designs registered.

I can understand "Wizard of BC"s irritation at the antics of the Gold Brothers, but if you wanted to protect your reputation/commercial rights etc, why didn't YOU register a Freedom tartan? Indeed, you could still do so now as there doesn't seem to be one. You could always use a cotton version of it as a lining for your kilts (instead of plain material) and that would make them totally distinctive? If they are copying your design of unbifurcated garment, then that's a different matter and I guess international IP law comes into play.

I also understand our natural disinclination towards folks who hit others - that WAS inexcusable and, if I remember rightly, the court issued its punishment accordingly, but I can't help thinking that some of the anti-Gold Brothers discourse that appears on these forums is prompted by deeper feelings that have little to do with their commercial activities.

We have a bloke in our village who is the only successful RETAILER in the village. He gets things done. Not always with as much subtlety as he could, nor with as much consultation, and often to his advantage somewhere down the line, but in the end they get done. Some of his commercial practices, especially the manner in which he treats his longer-serving staff, concern me and I would never work for him, but that doesn't justify the degree of abuse that he gets in some quarters of the village. I'm afraid their resentment reflects their own baggage, and it's helpful sometimes to remember that.

So, thanks for the pointers, guys... You've reinforced my inclination to the Scottish National, now I just need to decide where to get it from (Gold or otherwise).

Cheers, Graham.

[Nerts]

I have the Heritage tartan and quite like it! It's not the most expensive kilt for sure but there's nothing wrong with it (or that) and it happens to be of the same brand that is sold in most of the tourist shops along the Royal Mile. I quite like the colors and find the weight to be similar to the wool one I've got. Good luck on your hunting and I'm sure whatever you go with it will suit you!

E.