Ocupational tartans?

**M. A. C. Newsome** · 19th March 06, 05:26 AM

What would it take to have a new universal tartan designed and registered for firefighters? I'd love to do that for my brother firefighters.

Well, anyone could design one, and then after that it would just take some effort to get it popularly recognized.

The trick is that since there is no overarching "firefighter's union" or other similar authority over firefighters world wide, there is no governing body to decree "yes, this is the official firefighters' tartan." So what you'd have to do is basically design a personal "fasion" tartan called "Firefighters" and then work to get it recognized on a broader scale -- what we call "wont and useage."

No over-arching governing body has ever authorized the Clergy tartan, but since it has been used for nearly 200 years, it is universally recognized as a tartan used by clergy. So we say it has become official through wont and useage.

So it may take some time to get a universal firefighters tartan accepted in the same way, but the first step would be to simply design one. Then you'd have to try and promote the heck out of it among your fellow firefighters.

Who knows, with a good marketing effort, it might just take off!

Aye,
Matt

**davedove** · 19th March 06, 05:49 AM

One tartan that is "sort of" an occupational tartan is the MacSporran tartan. MacSporran is son of the purse used for those who handle the money. It could be used for bankers, accountants, etc. Of course, it is also a family name, but that's just incidental.

**Wompet** · 20th March 06, 04:51 PM

Here's another tartan that, while it doesn't encompass the entire occupation, belongs to those of a particular occupation - the US Border Patrol:

I have couple of pictures somewhere of Border Patrol Agents in their Class 1 "K" uniforms.

**possingk** · 20th March 06, 05:11 PM

A little searching turned up this Firefighter tartan

**beerbecue** · 20th March 06, 05:20 PM

Hmmm... that sure is hideous......

Too bad, firefighters deserve better.......

**David Thornton** · 20th March 06, 06:08 PM

Does the border patrol have an auxillary, that's a good looking tartan.

David

**Wompet** · 20th March 06, 07:07 PM

Originally Posted by David Thornton

Does the border patrol have an auxillary, that's a good looking tartan.

David

No auxiliaries that I know of ... there are the Border Patrol Citizens Academies - they're for members of the public in border states who want to learn more about what BP does ...
San Diego BP Sector has its own pipes and drums - they actually get on-the-job training in the Great Highland Bagpipes (a use of taxpayer money I actually approve of) ...

BUT the tartan is available at the KiltStore. Just don't wear it with a green Ike jacket, okay?

**KiltedCodeWarrior** · 20th March 06, 07:51 PM

Originally Posted by beerbecue

Hmmm... that sure is hideous......

Too bad, firefighters deserve better.......

Not sure hideous is qualified. I have seen much more offensive tartans, at least to my taste. It has some good contrasts that could be associated with fire. I would like to see a better one, and Phil I would be willing to help make it an accepted Firefighters tartan. You guys are definitely undeserved.

**CameronTaylor** · 20th March 06, 07:58 PM

I can say I'm not a fan of that particular tartan and hope you can design one better.
I myself am working (ever so slowly) on a Caterpillar tartan since I'm a heavy equipment operator. I have a couple or three good ideas and one design so far that on paper looks decent. Gordon Kirkbright knows sort of what I'm trying to do but the final stages are far, far away.

CT - and so many kilts in between ...

**ozmeath** · 21st March 06, 12:14 AM

Originally Posted by beerbecue

Hmmm... that sure is hideous......

Too bad, firefighters deserve better.......

Dang that's for sure. this was their quote:

Over the years, many firefighters seeking kilts have asked me if there is a tartan for them. Some large departments have their own tartan, others with pipe bands use standard clan tartans, but there never has been one for Firefighters as a whole until now. If anyone deserves a tartan, it's these men & women who work so hard to serve the public. The tartan was designed by Linda Clifford & Heather Yellowley. It was woven in Scotland & has been registered with the Scottish Tartans Authority.

Well their hearts are in the right place but it looks like they've put the mandelbrot set thru a tartan generator.