I'm slightly bemused by Chas's claims re the National Archives tartan register. Yes it's certainly official and is a facility that we campaigned for, for many years. What has to be appreciated is that the administrators - the National Archives of Scotland - are the keepers of Scotland's records and as such are excellent at data preservation, handling and presentation. What they are not however, is experts on tartan as they will readily admit as evidenced by their passing all new tartans to us at the Scottish Tartans Authority for checking for uniqueness in name and - more importantly - in design. So . . . whilst they may appear to be the arbiters, they cannot arbitrate without our specialist input.
We and Keith Lumsden's STWR formed the basis of their register but from Day 1 ours and theirs diverged since they will only include tartans for which people have paid whereas our 'industry standard' database tries to be a record of all known tartans - whether channelled through the official register or not.
As for the 'Authority' having no authority . . . no-one has any authority over tartans and their 'official' registration is purely a matter of window-dressing and doesn't alter their legal status one iota.
The STA is the only body that represents both the academic and commercial sides of tartan on a global scale and is recognised as such by the Scottish government and its relevant funding bodies.
I hope that helps to clear up some of the misconceptions being passed around.
Brian Wilton,
Director
Scottish Tartans Authority