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Register to provide tartan checks | Register to provide tartan checks |
(about 3 hours later) | |
A national register of tartans is to be set up after winning the backing of the Scottish government. | A national register of tartans is to be set up after winning the backing of the Scottish government. |
Enterprise Minister Jim Mather made the announcement during a visit to the Scottish Borders. | Enterprise Minister Jim Mather made the announcement during a visit to the Scottish Borders. |
Tory Highlands and Islands MSP Jamie McGrigor first put forward the idea of the register in the last parliament. | Tory Highlands and Islands MSP Jamie McGrigor first put forward the idea of the register in the last parliament. |
Mr Mather said the register would "protect, promote and preserve one of Scotland's most iconic and valuable assets". | Mr Mather said the register would "protect, promote and preserve one of Scotland's most iconic and valuable assets". |
The register will "classify and authenticate" tartans, with its foundation being provided by the Scottish Tartans Authority, based in Crieff, which has 6,500 tartans on its database. | The register will "classify and authenticate" tartans, with its foundation being provided by the Scottish Tartans Authority, based in Crieff, which has 6,500 tartans on its database. |
Tartan's importance to Scotland cannot be overestimated Jim MatherEnterprise Minister | Tartan's importance to Scotland cannot be overestimated Jim MatherEnterprise Minister |
It comes after a report stressed that tartan supports nearly 200 business in Scotland. | It comes after a report stressed that tartan supports nearly 200 business in Scotland. |
Mr Mather said he would now work with Scottish Enterprise and the industry with the aim of having a national register in place by next spring. | Mr Mather said he would now work with Scottish Enterprise and the industry with the aim of having a national register in place by next spring. |
The minister also welcomed a Scottish Enterprise commissioned assessment of the tartan industry in Scotland which confirmed the "significant contribution" the industry makes to the economy. | The minister also welcomed a Scottish Enterprise commissioned assessment of the tartan industry in Scotland which confirmed the "significant contribution" the industry makes to the economy. |
Speaking at Lochcarron of Scotland in Selkirk, Mr Mather said: "Tartan's importance to Scotland cannot be overestimated. It is deeply embedded in Scottish culture and is an internationally recognised symbol of Scotland. | Speaking at Lochcarron of Scotland in Selkirk, Mr Mather said: "Tartan's importance to Scotland cannot be overestimated. It is deeply embedded in Scottish culture and is an internationally recognised symbol of Scotland. |
The kilt is popular for formal use, football fans and festivals alike | The kilt is popular for formal use, football fans and festivals alike |
"Today's report provides solid evidence that the tartan industry makes a significant contribution to the Scottish economy. | "Today's report provides solid evidence that the tartan industry makes a significant contribution to the Scottish economy. |
"So it is only right that the Scottish government protects, promotes and preserves one of our most valuable assets for generations to come." | "So it is only right that the Scottish government protects, promotes and preserves one of our most valuable assets for generations to come." |
Mr Mather said the Court of the Lord Lyon and the National Archives of Scotland would play a crucial role in setting up, operating, maintaining and allowing access to the register. | Mr Mather said the Court of the Lord Lyon and the National Archives of Scotland would play a crucial role in setting up, operating, maintaining and allowing access to the register. |
The tartan industry generates more than £350m to the Scottish economy every year and supports more than 4,000 jobs. | The tartan industry generates more than £350m to the Scottish economy every year and supports more than 4,000 jobs. |
The independent report commissioned by Scottish Enterprise said Scotland had nearly 200 tartan-related enterprises, from famous textiles manufacturers to smaller merchants, weavers and kilt makers. | The independent report commissioned by Scottish Enterprise said Scotland had nearly 200 tartan-related enterprises, from famous textiles manufacturers to smaller merchants, weavers and kilt makers. |
Mr McGrigor, whose Member's Bill prompted the Executive's decision, said he was "delighted" at the move, which he predicted would be given a warm welcome by the entire industry. | |
He added: "The previous executive asked me to put my bill on ice while it assessed the value of tartan to Scotland's economy and heritage. | |
"I am therefore very pleased that the subsequent report has confirmed just how valuable tartan is and that the new executive feels able to produce a register by next spring. | |
"It is vital that we keep Scotland as the Mecca for tartan worldwide and this National Register will go a long way in helping to achieve this." | |
Kirsty Scott, head of the Scottish textiles team at Scottish Enterprise, said: "Tartan is synonymous with Scotland and it is vitally important that we continue to support the sector to capitalise on its popularity around the world." | Kirsty Scott, head of the Scottish textiles team at Scottish Enterprise, said: "Tartan is synonymous with Scotland and it is vitally important that we continue to support the sector to capitalise on its popularity around the world." |
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