Scottish Tartans Authority

The Scottish Tartans Authority, or (STA), is Scottish based organisation, dedicated to promoting the knowledge of Scottish tartans. It was first formed in 1995 by former members of the Scottish Tartans Society. The Scottish Tartans Authority maintains a database. called the "International Tartan Index", or ("ITI"). This database contains about 6,000 entries, however the number of different tartans is about 3,500. Membership of the Scottish Tartans Authority is mostly made up of parties in the tartan industry, such as weavers and retailers, yet membership may be purchased by anyone. The Scottish Tartans Authority is a recognised as a charity in Scotland, and was granted a coat of arms in 2004. Funding for the Scottish Tartans Authority is provided by member companies involved in the weaving and tartan industry in Scotland. Membership fees for the Scottish Tartans Authority range from an annual £30 to £275 for a lifetime. The Scottish Tartans Authority also maintains a website which lists about 3,500 different tartans. Detailed information of each tartan is limited to those who purchase such a membership.

Overview

The Scottish Tartans Authority was first formed in 1995, by former members of the Scottish Tartans Society. The membership of the Scottish Tartans Authority is largely made up of members of the Scottish weaving industry.cite web |url=http://www.tartansauthority.com/Web/Site/ScottishTartansAuthority/introduction.asp |title=About us |accessdate=2008-09-12 |work=Scottish Tartans Authority (tartansauthority.com) ] About 75 percent of tartan production in Scotland is thus represented.cite web |url=http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/business/bills/pdfs/mb-consultations/Tartan-consultation-as-issued.pdf |title=Consultation on the Creation of A Register of Tartan |accessdate=2008-09-09 |format=pdf |work=The Scottish Parliament (www.scottish.parliament.uk) ] The Scottish Tartans Authority is also a recognised charity in Scotland. The database of the Scottish Tartans Authority is known as the "International Tartan Index", or ("ITI"). The purpose of the "ITI" is to record all known tartan designs, and to provide a "register" for people to register their own designs. This database is very similar, and based upon the "Register of All Publicly Known Tartans" of the Scottish Tartans Society. Even so, the "ITI" contains twice as many entries (about 6,000). The number of entries in the "ITI" is however inflated due to mistakes, and many duplicated designs. Due to this, the Scottish Tartans Authority's website lists about only 3,500 different tartans.cite web |url= http://www.albanach.org/official.htm |title= What’s the “official” word about tartans? |accessdate=2008-09-09 |last=Newsome |first=Matthew A. C. |year=2004 |month=December |work=(www.albanach.org) ]

The Scottish Tartans Authority, like the now defunct Scottish Tartans Society, was granted a coat of arms by the Lord Lyon King of Arms. The arms, granted in 2004, contain a shuttle, an ell measure, and a book. Also included upon the arms is a white fret on a blue background. This symbolises the weaving process in making a tartan, and alludes to St Andrews cross which appears upon Scotland's national flag - The Saltire. The heraldic motto, "WEAVE TRUTH WITH TRUST", was taken from that of a medieaval livery company of London England, first awarded a Royal Charter in 1155 - The Worshipful Company of Weavers.cite web |url=http://www.tartansauthority.com/Web/Site/General/CoatOfArms.asp |title=Our Coat or Arms |accessdate=2008-09-12 |work=Scottish Tartans Authority (tartansauthority.com) ]

Membership to the Scottish Tartans Authority is open to anyone, with fees ranging from £30 yearly to £275 for a lifetime membership.cite web |url=http://www.tartansauthority.com/Web/Site/Membership/membershipbenefits.asp |title=Membership Categories |accessdate=2008-09-12 |work=Scottish Tartans Authority (tartansauthority.com) ] The Scottish Tartans Authority maintains a website which lists about 3,500 different tartans, though detailed information of each design is limited to subscribing members.

ee also

*Scottish Tartans Society

References

External links

* [http://www.tartansauthority.com Scottish Tartans Authority]