Masonic Tartan

**Doc Hudson** · 21st July 05, 10:59 AM

I don't know if this applies to the GLoS Tartan, but are not some tartans copyrighted or registered as trademarks to a particular company or organiization? Does this not in effect limit who can wear or purchase items made of that particular tartan?

For example, I really like the looks of the Hudson's Bay Company Tartan, but it is my understanding that the company restricts access to the tartan. Is that correct?

**macwilkin** · 21st July 05, 11:04 AM

Originally Posted by Doc Hudson

I don't know if this applies to the GLoS Tartan, but are not some tartans copyrighted or registered as trademarks to a particular company or organiization? Does this not in effect limit who can wear or purchase items made of that particular tartan?

For example, I really like the looks of the Hudson's Bay Company Tartan, but it is my understanding that the company restricts access to the tartan. Is that correct?

Doc, from what I can gather, the GLoS tartan is for any mason, not just Scottish masons -- at least that's what the article in the Sunday Herald stated.

Good question about the HBC tartan.

Cheers,

Todd

**Doc Hudson** · 21st July 05, 11:17 AM

I knew the Masonic tartans were available for any Mason. Just not sure about availability to non-Masons.

**M. A. C. Newsome** · 21st July 05, 11:21 AM

Yes, some tartans are copyrighted and therefore restricted as to who can produce them. This may or may not effectively limit who can wear the tartan.

For instance, all of the Irish county tartans are copyrighted by the House of Edgar. They are the only ones allowed to produce the tartan. Does this restrict who can wear them? No, anyone can wear them. But if you want anything made from the tartan, the cloth is going to have to come from them (or a retailer carrying their products).

Where this can have the effect of restricting use of the tartan is when the copyright lies with a private individual, not a company, who is not involved in tartan production. For instance, I had a client recently request an unusual family tartan. I was going to have it woven for him, and was told by the mill that this was a restricted tartan, and they would need permission from the head of the family, who holds the copyright, before they would weave it. So my client is now in the process of contacting the family head and getting a letter of permission, that I can then forward on to the mill, so that they can weave the cloth without getting into trouble. This whole process obviously makes the tartan a bit harder to obtain!

Aye,
Matt

**Jimmy Carbomb** · 22nd July 05, 06:44 AM

Wow, Matt... that's actually pretty cool! With all the talk around here for the last year-and-a-half about how guys can "wear what they want", it's nice to see that some tartans still hold their importance.

Your previous post about the "rights" to wear tartans was good. The distinction of "can" you wear a tartan versus "should" you wear the tartan pretty much puts the debate into focus. Know your tartan.;)

This site's been GREAT for teaching what to wear with the kilts, but I'm MOST PROUD of the way that it's taught people to respect the tartans and traditions.

That's one HUGE distinction between XMarks and other forums.

**GMan** · 22nd July 05, 08:54 AM

This place has definetly taught me more respect for the wearing of the kilt. Who said one never stops learning?

**Scotus** · 22nd July 05, 08:57 AM

I also know of a family tartan that is restricted. In order to get this tartan, which, officially, is only in the modern colors, clansmen must order it through the representative of the chief. It is made only by one weaver in Scotland. I have seen it in the "ancient" colors made by other weavers, but this is not considered the authentic tartan by the chief of the clan. I think this is an example of a restricted tartan.

**macwilkin** · 22nd July 05, 09:03 AM

Originally Posted by Scotus

I also know of a family tartan that is restricted. In order to get this tartan, which, officially, is only in the modern colors, clansmen must order it through the representative of the chief. It is made only by one weaver in Scotland. I have seen it in the "ancient" colors made by other weavers, but this is not considered the authentic tartan by the chief of the clan. I think this is an example of a restricted tartan.

I know of a couple as well -- in one case, the material may only be ordered through the Clan Society, and in the other case, as Matt described, permission from the Chief and/or the society must be granted before the material can be obtained.

And, on a related topic, some tartans are not approved by the Chief at all. The example that comes to mind here is the Campbell of Argyll tartan, which is not recognised by the Duke of Argyll, Chief of the Clan Campbells, as an an "official" tartan -- he prefers the Campbell "Old Sett", which is an ancestor to the Goverment Sett (Black Watch).

Cheers,

Todd

**gmcdavid** · 22nd July 05, 09:39 AM

Originally Posted by cajunscot

And, on a related topic, some tartans are not approved by the Chief at all. The example that comes to mind here is the Campbell of Argyll tartan, which is not recognised by the Duke of Argyll, Chief of the Clan Campbells, as an an "official" tartan -- he prefers the Campbell "Old Sett", which is an ancestor to the Goverment Sett (Black Watch).

Very clearly stated at

http://www.ccsna.org/jsep50a.htm#A0

Glenn

**Jimmy Carbomb** · 22nd July 05, 10:28 AM

Hey Hank (our Chief), how about "Restricting" the XMarks tartan? Sure it may be made by any number of weavers in any number of materials... but it would be cool to have it restriced to members.

For enforcement, we'll send "Rigged" over to their houses when they infringe.