Lord Sempill wants a "tartan trademark"

**Phil** · 16th June 09, 04:10 AM

An interesting article in today's paper about Lord Sempill, Director of the Gathering who wants tartan to be marked with its country of origin. It seems like a sensible idea that allows people to make an informed choice when buying rather than those "Heritage of Scotland" type labels which are definitely designed to mislead, no matter what Gold Bros try to say. And they are mentioned as well. It seems they turned down a golden opportunity to have a stall at the Gathering. Believe that one if you like along with fairies at the bottom of your garden, pots of gold at the end of rainbows etc.
http://edinburghnews.scotsman.com/la...tan.5368594.jp

Example of the misleading labels

**Joseph McLaren** · 16th June 09, 05:00 AM

It seems sensible, as long as small manufacturers applying for their tartan trademark don't find too many strings attached to it.

**Panache** · 16th June 09, 07:52 AM

I'm all for truth in advertising.

If you have a good product you should be proud and open about what it is and where it was made.

Cheers

Jamie :ootd:

**Highland Rogue** · 16th June 09, 08:43 AM

Harris Tweed has long had it's own label (and serial numbers) as a guarentee of it being "Authentic Harris Tweed - hand-dyed, spun and woven in the outer Hebrides of Scotland."

My kilt jacket has one sewn inside the lining over the inner pocket, and my Inverness cape has several in different places. I would think that Real Scottish tartan could be labeled in a similar way to insure its authenticity.

**ghostlight** · 16th June 09, 08:48 AM

Originally Posted by Panache

I'm all for truth in advertising. If you have a good product you should be proud and open about what it is and where it was made.

Well said.

There are multiple "market audiences" in our interests here. I don't have a problem with vendors catering to any of them as long as the vendors are honest in their dealings.

**skauwt** · 16th June 09, 08:51 AM

I'm all for trademarks to show origin.... but like everything else in this world there are some folk out there that are perfect at copying and forging tags,trademarks /money and so on and with todays technology its rather easy to scan something then photoshop it in a way that the copy can be printed and also computer controlled sewing machines these days can pretty much copy what you want,
Ive seen some forged items that are actually better quality than the real thing which is worrying

**Joseph McLaren** · 16th June 09, 09:00 AM

Originally Posted by skauwt

I'm all for trademarks to show origin.... but like everything else in this world there are some folk out there that are perfect at copying and forging tags

true~ I've even come across a jacket in a vintage shop which purported to be Harris Tweed but was patently anything but. The patch inside had been removed from another (presumably old and damaged) garment and sewn into an inferior one. You could see the stitch-scarring quite easily.

Even so, a tartan trademark would be an extra safeguard. Though not infallible, certainly helpful.

**puffer** · 16th June 09, 11:17 AM

I wish him "LUCK".

One problem I see is in the INTERPRETATION.

1. Does this refer to the "woven material"???
2. The Manufacturer . of the completed KILT ( or item. )???
3.Both etc. ??

Here in the "States", "Made in the USA" can = A garment made of "imported cloth" but sewn in the USA.

?

Puffer

**skauwt** · 16th June 09, 11:32 AM

Originally Posted by puffer

Here in the "States", "Made in the USA" can = A garment made of "imported cloth" but sewn in the USA.

?

Puffer

great point puffer when i picked up my kilt last friday i noticed the hector russell label stating "made in scotland " but i and any other folk who know where marton mills is based will know that to be totally untrue

**puffer** · 16th June 09, 12:20 PM

Originally Posted by skauwt

great point puffer when i picked up my kilt last friday i noticed the hector russell label stating "made in scotland " but i and any other folk who know where marton mills is based will know that to be totally untrue

Sad to say, This does not only apply to "civilian" Kilts. Mod KILTS may soon be made of cloth woven outside the UK not to mention outside of Scotland.

http://edinburghnews.scotsman.com/ki...tan.2758570.jp

Note - Robert Noble Mills are located in Peeples Scotland.

I guess the best advise is to ask ?? of your kilt provider ( where is the cloth woven & where the kilt is actually made ????????)

Puffer