The Quest begins

[Steve Ashton]

Here is the Logbook of the Quaich.

On the outside it is covered with The X Marks Tartan.
On the front is our Cap Badge.



Inside the front cover is a tribute to The Saltire, the wee airship which traveled for over two years spreading the friendship of the forum.



It says:

"The Flight of the Saltire"

"On the 16th of August, 2008 a wee wooden airship named the XMAS (X Marks Air Ship) Saltire began a voyage to spread friendship among the members of X Marks. The story that started it and the wee airship Saltire became a beacon to the membership of the forum. It reminded them, through its travels, of the true meaning of X Marks.

The photos of the places she traveled and the signatures in her logbook became a part of the history of the forum. A history which should never be forgotten.

The members of this forum owe a debt of gratitude to Panache for the story that gave birth to the Saltire, for the creation of the airship herself and for the idea and inspiration for her voyage.

The Saltire travelled for over two years. Her logbook was signed by hundreds. The photos of her voyage were enjoyed by all who saw them.

She landed for the final time on the 29th of January, 2011 and now resides with her creator. Enjoy your retirement XMAS Saltire, it is well earned."


On the next page is this.



It says:

" The Quest of the Quaich"

On the retirement of the XMAS Saltire the members of X Marks were overwhelminly supportive of another symbolic voyage. Not a continuation of what the wee airship started but a new voyage. One to fulfill the potential of the ideal behind the first.

It was suggested by Cajunscot that a fitting symbol would be the Scottish drinking cup, the Quaich, (pronounced 'Quake"). These cups are traditionally used to 'share a wee dram' among friends.

Our Quaich was custom made by "The Quaich Company (Scotland) Ltd." of Sheffield, UK. The design incorporates many of our forum's symbols. Our X Marks Cap Badge is mounted in the bottom of the bowl. Our plant, the Dandelion is custom engraved on the handles. Around the outside of the bowl are the words - "The Quest of the Quaich - Traveling to share our love of the kilt with the world."

The logbook of the Quaich is covered with the X Marks Tartan. Designed by Matt Newsome, Director of The Scottish Tartans Museum, it is registered as ITI #6679 and is the worlds first Internet Tartan.
The logbook will become the written record of the Quest, and will catalog where she visits and who she is shared with.

The Quest of the Quaich will begin on the 19th of of March, 2011 in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. It will continue by being sent member to member, to be shared by the members of X Marks and with as many people, in as many locations as possible. It is hoped that the Quaich will eventually visit all the locations where our member live. This would mean that it would circle the entire globe. Perhaps many times.

Each time the Quaich stops, photos will be taken and posted to a dedicated section of the forum to be enjoyed by all. Each year the Quaich will return to Victoria where the pages of this logbook will be scanned. The scanned pages will also be posted to the forum to complement the photos.

This Quaich will have no home, no owner, other than the forum and its members. In this way it is hoped that this Quest of the Quaich will become a never-ending part of the history of X Marks. "



The logbook is not much more than blank pages. At each stop the date and location can be noted along with the name of the host and the signatures all those who share the Quaich.

In the back is a small pocket where small tokens or mementos of the visit can be placed.