Tartans register to become law
10 Oct 08
Member's bill passes final stage
MSPs confirmed yesterday that a Scottish Register of Tartans will be set up, after they gave stage 3 approval to Jamie McGrigor's member's bill to set up the register.
The bill, which had cross-party support and was backed by the Scottish Government, provides for the register to be kept in electronic form by the Keeper of the Records of Scotland. In connection with the register he will be known as the Keeper of the Scottish Register of Tartans.
An economic impact study has shown that the tartan industry contributes some £350 million annually to the Scottish economy.
The National Archives of Scotland will play a crucial role in setting up, operating, maintaining and facilitating access to the Register, supported by the Court of the Lord Lyon and tartan experts.
Brian Wilton of the Scottish Tartans Authority and Keith Lumsden of the Scottish Tartans World Register have shared their privately kept records with the register. The recently retired Lord Lyon, Robin Blair, and his successor, David Sellar, are also among those who have assisted.
"Deeply woven"
Enterprise Minister Jim Mather said tartan was "deeply woven into the cultural fabric of Scotland" and made a significant contribution to Scotland's economy, and it was right to safeguard one of Scotland's most valuable assets.
"The register will make tartan more accessible than ever before. It means people across the world will be able very soon to use the register as an online resource to research, design their own family tartan and have it woven in Scotland - the spiritual home of tartan."
Mr McGrigor, Conservative member for the Highlands and Islands, said: "This marks the culmination of long and assiduous work by many of Scotland's tartan experts and enthusiasts, and I am grateful to them for their efforts.
He added: "The challenge now for the Scottish tartan industry is to do their part - to seize the opportunities the register will create to promote Scottish tartan - and to market Scottish designed, produced and owned tartans as authentic, high quality products."