Grand National Curling Club

[WalesLax]

Rocky,

I know I could just PM you, but I thought this might be an interesting thread for others. I curl as a member of the Grand National Curling Club (GNCC), and at the last bonspiel I curled in for them, was talking to people about the GNCC tartan (curling + bagpipes = they needed to tell me about the GNCC tartan), and I wanted to find out more from you, as a) they could only tell me so much, and b) you are the expert.

I did look on your site, but couldn't find anything under a search for GNCC or "Grand National Curling Club." What items are available in this tartan? Do you have any examples of things that have already been made (a kilt, flashes, tams, anything and everything is appreciated), and pricing? I am also interested to know the kilt options - is it wool or PV? I couldn't get a "for sure" answer from the guys I was talking to.

I both curl in and pipe for a number of GNCC events throughout the year, so I am definitely interested.

Thank you,

Rob

[RockyR]

We designed (with their guidance and feedback) a tartan for the GNCC. As it was to be made up into various items (ties, kilts, broom covers, scarves, tams, ribbons, etc), we ended up doing it in PV for both cost and versatility.

You'll have to speak to them directly on pricing as we are selling it exclusively to them (since they own the cloth and whatnot). They set prices to the public and the tartan goods will only be available through them.

Sorry I couldn't tell you much more, but I hope that helps! If you need to know who to contact to start enquiring, email me for the gent's contact details.

[WalesLax]

I will PM you. It looks like the person I spoke with must have had their info backwards.

Thank you,

Rob

[WalesLax]

For anyone interested, I am going to post the history of the tartan along with some images I was able to find on the GNCC website.

Rocky, I will reach out to them for guidance, and to let them know to change the "for more information contact USA Kilts" notation on their site.

If anyone is interested in curling or the GNCC, please feel free to reach out to me!

Thank you,

Rob

The History of the GNCC Tartan The Grand National Curling Club’s tartan is inspired by the family tartan of Robert Gordon. Gordon was elected the first patron of the GNCC from 1867–1884. He was originally a Dumfries man, but became an influential figure in New York City as one of the incorporators of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, President of the Down Town Association, President of the St. Andrew’s Society, and a partner of the financial house of Maitland Phelps and Company. On January 13, 1869, he presented “The Gordon Champion Rink Medal to the curlers of the United States… to be played annually as shall be appointed by the Executive Committee.” Except for 1874, 1887, 1889 (thaw), 1890, and 1943 (war), the medal has been in competition every year since. The large, beautifully crafted, silver medal includes a bar for each year played upon which the winner’s name is engraved. Today, the string of bars is so long that is stretches halfway across a good size room. The medal is played for as the Men’s Championship of the Grand National Clubs.

The tartan was design by the Grand National 150 Celebration committee, chaired by Joel B. Leneker of the Nutmeg Curling Club, Bridgeport, CT and Charles Brown, Schenectady Curling Club, Schenectady, NY with guidance from Rocky Roeger, President of USA Kilts, Spring City, PA. The colors of the tartan are scarlet red, ice white, forest green, navy blue, and medium blue and represent: Scarlet red: the Roar of the Rocks Ice white: the brightness of the ice Forest green: the Grand National organization Navy blue: excellence in competition Medium blue: life- long curling friendships.

[Geoff Withnell]

That is a gorgeous tartan.

[WalesLax]

Thank you Geoff! I definitely like it a lot, which is why I was strongly considering getting a kilt in the tartan.

If anyone is interested, I now have made contact with the guy in charge of this effort for the GNCC, and I will be helping him to market and sell to our member clubs.

If anyone has any interest in anything pictured above, please reach out to me.

Ron