US Forces (Thurso) tartan

**bjcustard** · 21st March 05, 01:07 PM

Anyone know the background of this tartan?

http://www.lochassyntmills.com/mill/...us-thurso.html

TIA

**Big Paul** · 21st March 05, 01:41 PM

I don't know but I like it!

**macwilkin** · 21st March 05, 01:48 PM

I haven't been able to dig up anything definitive so far, but I would assume that it was an unofficial tartan designed for American military personnel stationed in Scotland at Thurso, much like the two US Navy Tartans were for the bases at Edzell and Holy Loch.

Matt -- any ideas? It doesn't appear in the STA database.

Cheers,

Todd

**M. A. C. Newsome** · 21st March 05, 02:03 PM

Todd,

I'd be in agreement with you. I know it's unofficial, but other than that, no details.
Matt

**macwilkin** · 21st March 05, 02:33 PM

I did another google search and turned up a few references to a US Navy base at Thurso, so our original suspicions appear to be correct.

Cheers,

Todd

**highlander_Daz** · 21st March 05, 02:51 PM

Thurso is very nice and they have a superb pipe band

http://www.thursopipeband.co.uk/

very smart they are too!
I think thats Gordon highlanders Tartan

**highlander_Daz** · 21st March 05, 02:54 PM

nope its MacKenzie I think -Ive seen these guys and they are superb.

**macwilkin** · 21st March 05, 02:55 PM

Daz,

the Band history page says that they have worn the Mackenzie tartan since their formation -- the first kilts were army suplus, which I'm betting are from the Seaforths, since they wore Mackenzie. It does look a little like the Gordon in the front picture, though.

They have a great cap badge! <grin>

Slainte!

Todd

**lrpddrummie** · 21st March 05, 03:04 PM

From the looks of it my guess is the tartan is Lady Jane which is the tartan adopted by the United States Air Force Reserve Pipe Band. The band literature refers to the tartan as "Air Force Corporate" but they do make references to Lady Jane. The tartan whether you call it Lady Jane or Air Force Corporate is an unoffical tartan or at least according to the House of Tartan website.

That's my two cents

**macwilkin** · 21st March 05, 03:09 PM

Paul,

I think we've got a match. :mrgreen:

I have found reference to the Air Force corporate tartan as a Royal Air Force tartan, though.

I have an old Company of Military Historians plate of the USAFR Pipes & Drums that shows them wearing their first tartan, the Mitchell Tartan, in honour of General "Billy" Mitchell, the advocate of modern air-power. They adopted the Lady Jane in the 80's, if I remember right.

Cheers,

Todd