INTERNATIONAL TARTANS

PUBLIC REGISTER of TARTANS

A Bill to create a Public Register of Tartans has been presented to the Scottish Parliament by Jamie McGrigor, MSP. With all-party support the draft Bill will go through Committee stages before being introduced to Parliament. It is hoped that this Bill could be enacted before the Parliamentary elections in May 2007. When the Act becomes law then, and only then, will there be a recognized authority for tartan and de facto official tartans - the elected authority in Scotland.

As it now stands there is no official body recognizing tartan(s) and there has never been one. The sole exception is the Lyon Office's approval of a Chief's tartan by those Clan Chiefs accepted, and approved by the Lord Lyon..

On the 28^th of September, 2006, there was a successful press launch of the tartan Bill outside the Scottish Parliament building.

The Enterprise and Cultural Committee called for written evidence on October 3^rd and met on November 14^th. This showed a large majority in favor of a National Register.

Written evidence from the Scottish Executive will be presented at the next Committee meeting on January 16^th, 2007.

The original petition to the Scottish Parliament for the creation of a public register of tartans was made by Mr. James Anderson of Woodland Hills, California. His aim was two-fold. Firstly to ensure that this extraordinary national icon was controlled by its rightful owners the people of Scotland, and secondly to make it more affordable to the millions of Americans who claim Scottish ancestry and wish to express it through the wearing of the tartan.

Mr. Anderson has approached Congressman Henry Waxman's office asking for their assistance, and guidance, in exempting tartan cloth from a level of duty designed to protect the American textile industries. The successful enactment of legislation by the Scottish Parliament defining tartan as a 'national treasure' will doubtless be helpful in persuading the Congress to examine a level of duty which prevents so many US citizens from celebrating their Scots ancestry.

copyright ^©2004-2007 David McGill Edinburgh, James Anderson Los Angeles all rights reserved

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