XMTS mentioned

**herminator** · 13th September 10, 02:54 AM

in my favourite catholic blog:

http://markshea.blogspot.com/2010/09/new-tartan.html

**Jock Scot** · 13th September 10, 03:35 AM

Hmmmm, interesting comments.

**Schiehallion** · 13th September 10, 05:00 AM

I think it rather strange that all the work goes into a tartan to mark a single event which soon will be relegated to history .....and not one I would consider wearing because of all the controversy here in the UK

**BEEDEE** · 13th September 10, 05:51 AM

Two threads on this subject have already been closed because members cannot keep religion or politics out of their discussion. See: Rule #5 - Discussions espousing one particular religious belief or political system over another or comparison of one belief or system to another will not be allowed.

This is nothing more than a tartan created to mark an event. Please keep remarks to discussion on the tartan itself and not the event.

Brian

**AFS1970** · 14th September 10, 03:09 PM

People need to stop being so touchy about religion. Yes the tartan was created to commemorate an event, and undeniably Roman Catholic event. The Tartan is named for a Saint, it commemorates a Papal visit. Like it or not, agree or disagree, but the Pope (hence the word Papal) is Roman Catholic. There is no way to remove religion from the discussion unless we want to have something like this:

Hey everyone, Matt just created a tartan called [censored], in honor of the [censored] visit to Scotland. The tartan is called [censored] because the visit will occur on [censored] day. Matt was contacted by a [censored] organization to do this in honor of the [censored]. Matt said he was proud to be selected for this because he is a [censored].

So if you enjoy reading Pravda I guess that is the way to go. I make no secret of the fact that while I do not make the rules I do not agree with this one and think it is usually enforced in a far more heavy handed manner then all the other rules. I also am beginning to dislike the fact that long before any forum staff have a chance to read such thread, there are those among the Kilted Brethren that almost gleefully bring up this rule, but oddly enough only against one religion.

**MacMillan of Rathdown** · 16th September 10, 09:30 AM

Originally Posted by BEEDEE

Rule #5 - Discussions espousing one particular religious belief or political system over another or comparison of one belief or system to another will not be allowed.

This is nothing more than a tartan created to mark an event. Please keep remarks to discussion on the tartan itself and not the event.

Whilst I agree with Brian's sentiments, I think that under Rule 5 it is quite possible to mention the event, in passing, without proselytizing on behalf of any one particular religious denomination.

The event, as I see it, is the official visit to Scotland by the Head of State of the Vatican -- a tiny country to be sure, but one that exchanges ambassadors with numerous other countries, including the United States. The State visit of Benedict XVI to Scotland is, in my opinion, no different than a State visit to Scotland by any other Head of State.

If the King of Saudi Arabia came to Scotland and was presented with a commemorative tartan, the event-- as well as the tartan-- would be worthy of respectful, and insightful comment.

I found Matt's use of representative thread count and colour combinations to be in the best possible traditions of meaningful design. Explaining how he conceived the design of the tartan had nothing to do with espousing the superiority of one religious denomination over another, and everything to do with explaining the representational meaning of the design itself.

**Nighthawk** · 16th September 10, 10:04 AM

Hey now!! I'm Pagan! I'm started to feel really excluded, and my feelings are starting to bruise. I'm gonna go cry now.

Man, people get so worked up sometimes!

So- anyone have a link to a picture of this tartan? I haven't seen it yet and can't seem to find it...

**Tobus** · 16th September 10, 10:24 AM

Originally Posted by Nighthawk

So- anyone have a link to a picture of this tartan? I haven't seen it yet and can't seem to find it...

Matt posted some pics of it here, including him wearing a kilt in this tartan:
http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f...20/index2.html
(I especially like his up-close shot of the tartan fabric; it really showcases the splendid way the colors come together in the weave.)

And some media pics here:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotlan...-fife-11245080

I think it's a fabulous looking tartan, and Matt has quite an artistic eye. It takes a bit of skill to make a tartan that looks as good as that AND have significance to the thread count and colors.

Surely all the press coverage should be a boon to Matt's notoriety and business. Congrats to him!