The Scottish Field article (not The Scotsman one full of inaccuracies and bumpf) reveals a concern among some Scots that the Scottish Registry of Tartans is exactly fulfilling its mandate -- unfortunately. It's there to register all tartans without regard to taste (?)

According to the article there are 7,329 tartans registered today, with 1,565 registered since 2009. 'Each year around 2300 new tartans are designed by businesses, charities, families and any other Tom, Dick or Jimmy who might fancy getting into the act.' The criteria for registered a new tartan are hardly strict (and the fee is about GBP70) and within the definition: 'A tartan is a design which is capable of being woven, consisting of two or more alternating coloured stripes which combine vertically and horizontally to form a repeated checkered pattern.'

The SF article concludes that it is time Scotland took tartan in hand and stopped the onslaught 'of new designs which only serve to dilute the beauty of the textile. It's time to ensure that tartan remains something that Scotland canbe proud to have as the basis for its national dress.'