Modern Tartans and Preservation of Culture There are more Scots outside of Scotland than there are inside it. Families who travelled all over the world are still identified as Scots, and still cherish their original homeland. It is little wonder, then, that tartan also travels the world. The Scottish Tartans Society is the principal authority in the world on tartans and Highland dress.
It was established in 1963 on the initiative of the senior law officer on protocol and precedence in Scotland, the Lord Lyon King of Arms, Sir Thomas Innes of Learney. It offers the most comprehensive online searchable Register of Tartans, and welcomes additions as they arise both for Registration and in appropriate instances for Accreditation. The Society provides a personal design service for Members and provides software to assist that process. The Hall of Records contains a fine library and there are two museums, one in Keith in Scotland, and the second in Franklin, North Carolina, USA. Research work is continuous and the Society's journal, called 'Tartans', publishes the research findings and other matters of interest.