Thurso tartan

[Geoff Withnell]

I was in an Irish shop in Annapolis the other day, and saw a tie in "Thurso" tartan, which the label said was also known as "US Forces" Fine looking tartan, and I bought the tie. First I'd ever heard of this tartan, even with my association with Scottish American Military Society. Oddly enough, looking at the various kilt makers, nobody seems to have this as a standard tartan. Anybody have any further information?

[Bruce Scott]

I found the following:

US Forces Thurso
"One of a series of US Military Designs woven exclusively by the Strathmore Woollen Co."
https://www.tartanregister.gov.uk/ta...tails?ref=4185

US Forces (Thurso) T7 Quality Tartan
£31.00 excl Vat
"Strathmore’s T7 Quality Stock Tartan is a 100% pure new wool, general purpose, worsted tartan. It is suitable for making ladies kilts, skirts, trousers, accessories such as scarves and neckties, and for a lighter weight gents kilt."
http://www.strathmorewoollen.co.uk/s...sforcesthurso/

[Steve Ashton]

Basically any kiltmaker with a commercial account with Strathmore could order this fabric.

The thing is, that there is not enough interest for a kiltmaker to keep this in stock unless they specialize in US military tartans. I know that I have never had anyone inquire about the Thurso Tartan. The usual request would be for the Polaris Tartan which is what I believe the US Naval academy pipe band uses.

[Taskr]

One of the more frustrating aspects of tartan; enough interest that the fabric is available. Commissioning a run of a fine tartan not held in any shop can be a bit daunting to the frugal.

[seanachie]

I am an Air Force vet and the Thurso is very close to the USAF tartan. A few years ago I had the displeasure of receiving the wrong tartan.
(Rocky at USA Kilts later had the kilt in PV, which I ordered immediately.) My understanding, from some research at the time was that the USN had a radio station near Thurso in Caithness and the tartan was associated with that installation.