New Scottish Tartans Register

[Nick Fiddes]

I have two questions, unrelated to each other:

1. If the registry is available to the public for free (per the blog), what benefit is there for STA membership? As I understand it (I am not a member) currently a membership gets you access to information that the public does not have, such as thread count and designer/history information.

2. In looking for potential generic tartans some time back, I found a number of "fashion" tartans by a Canadian mill that I don't recall seeing at STA. Will the new national registry include these type of tartans?

Thanks for bringing the process to our attention. It sounds like an interesting project.

Regards,
Rex.

1. The full answer has not yet been finalised so it would be improper for me to say a lot. But in brief, the public register with only have a limited sub-set of public interest information, and anyone seeking specialist information will be directed to expert sources such as the STA; plus the STA will have an expanded public role, yet to be defined.

2. There is agreement in principle that the new Register will compile the information from not just the STA but the other existing (smaller) register too, bringing to an end the need to look in more than one place. It will also be adding new examples as they are recorded or come to light.

[Aggie]

As new tartans come along, will they have to go through the same process as those wanting to be included in the STA register?

[Nick Fiddes]

The process is yet to be finalised.

[McClef]

Will it have an on line search engine like the Tartan Ferret?

[Nick Fiddes]

Almost certainly, but details yet to be decided...

[Mr. MacDougall]

It seems like a number of answers to questions in this thread are "we don't know, yet," and that's certainly understandable, as a project like this takes time to develop... but I'm curious just what is known already. How firm is this new database, and what indications are there that it'll be accepted? Why should we see it as better than the STA?

[Nick Fiddes]

I'd put this as "It's not been decided, yet", rather than "we don't know, yet", and although I have guesses to some answers it would be improper for me to speculate. The reason I wrote it up as a blog post was to share the decision making progress so far as fully as I was able, within the limits of known facts. The rest of it should take shape over the coming months.

If by 'how firm' you mean 'will it definitely happen?', the answer is yes. And "accepted"? I'm not sure who exactly would reject it, or why, or how? I've already given more than one likely advantage - and there are other things the STA will continue to do that it won't.

Sorry I can't say more. I'll try to do so when there's more to say. :-)

[Mr. MacDougall]

And "accepted"? I'm not sure who exactly would reject it, or why, or how?

The tartan weaving / wearing community, one supposes. By which I mean, with whom will people actually register their tartans, to whom will they turn when they want information on the thread counts for the MacAnybody tartan?

[Nick Fiddes]

I'm sorry to have to keep ducking specific questions, but I feel I can only give specific answers on issues like process where firm decisions have been made. The generality is that the existing tartan recording bodies are positively engaged in this development. And if we/they did not believe it to be in the best interests of both the public and the industry then we'd have withdrawn, effectively scuppering it. So you can take this as an indication that we believe the net benefits will attract widespread support.

[Nick Fiddes]

It's just occurred to me, it's also possible readers may have missed the 'Click to read more...' link on the blog. The item extends further than the first few paragraphs which appear on the main page, so further questions may be answered there!