International Tartans

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Russia
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From the Middle Ages multitudes of Scots have flocked to Russia, the largest country history has known, and some of them became the most famous names of the Scottish Diaspora. Literally hundreds of Scots became distinguished in the history, industrial development and culture of Russia. Between 1650 and 1700 alone there were fifteen Generals in the Russian army, two of whom rose to become Field Marshals. And it was a Fifer, Admiral Samuel Greig, who reformed Russia’s Baltic Fleet and became known as the father of the modern Russian Navy.

An envious English observer noted in 1805 that, ‘to come from the north side of the Tweed is the best recommendation a man can bring to St. Petersburg’. A substantial Scottish element also lived in Moscow, Kronshtadt, Archangel and Riga, and had missions in the Crimea, Astrakhan, Orenburg and Seleginsk.

A deep affinity seems to exist between Scots and Russians in terms of national character: what one writer described as ‘the fiery imagination, incisive intellect, tough stoicism and gentle affection’ applies equally to the nature of Scots and Russians. This may be understandable since both peoples live in a northern environment with a difficult climate, both have exerted a tremendous influence over large areas of the globe, and both societies have a strong sense of kinship. Experts agree that few nations make better warriors than the Scots and Russians. Perhaps this closeness of character can account for the tremendous popularity of Ossian, Burns, Scott and Stevenson in Russia, and explain why Scots
settled there in such great numbers and felt so much at home.

And of course they share a Patron Saint - St. Andrew, the first chosen disciple of Christ. And it is the Cross of St. Andrew combined with the colours of the Scottish national emblem – the thistle – which have been selected as the colours for the St. Andrew tartan

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Tartan Facts & Snippets

Australia and New Zealand hold Tartan Days on 1 July to mark the date the law banning tartan and kilts was repealed.