I hope this is a good place to put this, as it is not totally off topic. Slainte, Sherry
Keeping tartans in check
ALASTAIR REED
THE Scottish Tartan Authority (STA) has staked its claim to become Scotland's first ever "keeper of the tartans", linking up with a Greenock-based web design firm to create what it hopes will become the world's first official register of tartans.
Despite tartan playing as important a role as whisky or haggis in creating Scotland's international brand identity, there has never been an official register of the 4,000-plus different tartans. While a number of attempts have been made by individual organisations in recent years, about 120 new tartans are created around the world each year - making it very difficult to keep a register fully up to date.
However, Conservative MSP Jamie McGrigor has submitted a private members bill to the Scottish Parliament, which - if successful - would create a single organisation with the authority to monitor the authenticity of tartans produced throughout the world.
While he recognises that registration services have been provided by independent organisations in Scotland in the past, he fears expatriates could set up their own register of tartan and attract heritage hunters away from Scotland.
As a result, the STA has linked up with design group Vested Interest to create a comprehensive online register, which it plans to roll out to all tartan organisations. STA is not the only charitable organisation in the UK laying claim to the role of tartan specialist, but it is by far the largest, representing more than 300 weavers, including famous names such as Lochcarron, Peter MacArthur and the Strathmore Woollen Company.
While director of operations Brian Wilton says the STA will roll out its register even if the bill is not successful, he admits he hopes time is found to take it through the legislative process.
"Tartan is a national treasure, and shouldn't be under the control of any particular sector - so clearly we would prefer to have the authority of official standing," he said.
This article:
http://www.scotsman.com/?id=2027602005
Kilts:
http://heritage.scotsman.com/topics.cfm?tid=806
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