What tartans are "Notable"?

[OC Richard]

Doesn't Drummond of Perth date to 1715? Or is that not true?

[figheadair]

Doesn't Drummond of Perth date to 1715? Or is that not true?

Unlikely - see here.

[Sir Didymous]

As the only occupational tartan, I think Clergy should get some consideration.

[RockyR]

As the only occupational tartan, I think Clergy should get some consideration.

Not quite the ONLY occupational tartan... there are a couple tartans for Firefighters and Law Enforcement (Which I'd also suggest adding)

Since the OP is dealing with a St. Andrew's Society in the US, I'd also suggest the tartans for the branches of the military:

US Army
Leatherneck / USMC
US Navy / Edzell
USAF
Coast Gaurd

[KD Burke]

Since the OP is dealing with a St. Andrew's Society in the US, I'd also suggest the tartans for the branches of the military:

US Army
Leatherneck / USMC
US Navy / Edzell
USAF
Coast Gaurd

I quite agree!

I also happen to be a member of our local SAMS post. Two years ago Post 131 donated banners in the military tartans to the St. Andrew's Society collection. Unlike the clan tartans, which have the name embroidered in white, the military tartans are embroidered in gold thread.

In a recent thread on tartan flags, I posted these photos of the St. Andrew's Society banners. Even with both photos this is only about half the collection. It does give an idea of how they look when displayed , though!

[Geoff Withnell]

actually, I think there is also a Rabbinical tartan - I admit it is MUCH more recent.

As the only occupational tartan, I think Clergy should get some consideration.

[figheadair]

As the only occupational tartan, I think Clergy should get some consideration.

What about its predecessor - Wilsons' Priest? Not the same thing at all.

[Father Bill]

What about its predecessor - Wilsons' Priest? Not the same thing at all.

Which is well beyond beautiful. With all that purple, however, I would be a bit hesitant. It's the colour of the episcopacy and there are a few who might frown rather heavily.

[Jock Scot]

I wonder Bill, without breaking some rule or other, could you explain to this non religious type and perhaps others too who may be interested, just what the problem might be, for some, with the purple?

[Father Bill]

I wonder Bill, without breaking some rule or other, could you explain to this non religious type and perhaps others too who may be interested, just what the problem might be, for some, with the purple?

I needn't break any rule because I'm merely sharing the facts and history of the clothing, but thanks for your caution!

In episcopal (bishop-led) churches, purple is reserved for the bishops. They wear (or can wear) purple shirts & cassocks. In the Roman church, the Pope wears white and the cardinals wear red. The rest of the clergy traditionally wear black. It's sort of like wearing your rank on your epaulettes. While a purple kilt is not technically reserved to the episcopacy, the culture in my little branch of the church is that a common parish priest like myself avoids mixing any purpure with any indication of being part of the clergy. That means I can wear a purple polo shirt on my day off, but if I have on a collar, any hint of "purpleness" might be considered by some (not likely the bishop him/herself) to be inappropriate.

Humorous (to me anyway) sidebar on this: In the post-hippie seventies, the general clergy began to wear shirts of "other" colours - greens, white, reds, blues, etc. Some shades of grey, blue, and brown had traditionally been worn by those of "secondary" orders - those clergy who in addition to their ordination, belong to a specific religious order. (I own one light grey clerical shirt that I wear when it's horribly hot. I belong to the order of heat-suffering fatties.)

One day, a dear colleague of mine was wearing an electric blue shirt as he ascended in the lift to an upper floor of a Roman-led hospital to visit an ill parishioner. (They're not segregated by faith, but this hospital was owned, led, and operated by the Sisters of St. Joseph.) On the lift with him was a nun in traditional black and white habit who kept darting discreet sideways glances at him. As he reached his floor and moved towards the opening door, the sister dredged up her courage and plucking at his sleeve, asked in a voice betraying absolute horror, "Father... what order!?"

Doug enjoys the story to this day, and so do I. Hope others do too.

Now back to your regularly scheduled discussion.