MSPs approve tartan register bill

The bill aims to capitalise on interest in tartan around the world

An official register of tartans will help promote the "iconic" industry across the world, MSPs have heard.

The comments came as politicians, many wearing colourful tartan, unanimously passed new legislation which enshrines an official register in Edinburgh.

The bill, put forward by Conservative MSP Jamie McGrigor, aims to capitalise on interest around the world.

The National Archives of Scotland will create and maintain the register, at a cost of about £75,000 a year.

Mr McGrigor said: "It will help promote and preserve tartan as our iconic Scottish product, which is deeply interwoven in our proud national identity."

A late compromise altered the bill, following previous debate between "wovenists" who insisted tartan samples must be submitted, and "modernists" who argued that a design was sufficient.

Many of the members in Holyrood took part in the debate dressed in clan colours.

'Definitive source'

Nationalist Christina McKelvie donned bright red tartan tights, Tory MSP John Scott appeared in trews, while others chose to wear scarves and ties.

Mr McGrigor said the new register would become the "definitive source", adding: "It will also raise interest in tartan, helping keep tartan alive and vibrant and building economic value from what has been a very latent brand to date.

"It will hopefully provide a focus for tartan, for academic, family and genealogical research."

Labour MSP David Whitton's amendment - which attracted unanimous support - means the keeper of the register can request woven samples after designs have been accepted.

MSPs had rejected his previous attempt at an earlier stage of the bill's progress.

Mr Whitton said: "Clearly no-one would want to put applicants to unnecessary expense as the whole point of this register is to boost the tartan industry, not to put unhelpful barriers in its way."

'Spiritual home'

Enterprise minister Jim Mather said the register would have international credibility.

"That credibility will come from its status as the definitive Scottish Register and it can become the spiritual home of one of Scotland's iconic products, thereby elevating the relevance, awareness and commercial potential of tartan," he said.

"We are uniquely placed to deliver a register that is undeniably Scottish, able to draw on some of Scotland's most long-standing, respected and expert sources."

Liberal Democrat Jamie Stone said tartan was a "celebration" of Scotland and also something that "sells" the country.

The Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross MSP said: "It represents an image that the entire world understands of Scotland.

"We are deeply fortunate to have such a wonderful image."

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