Scottish World Tartan Register No. 2031

Dissatisfied with the fact that the mysteriously named and even more mysteriously provenanced Carolina tartan had been adopted by the legislatures of both North and South Carolina as their State tartan, the North Carolina tartan was commissioned by the late Charles of Flatbranch, NC. to provide the state with its very own symbol.

Nowadays it is to be found in sanctuary in some of NC’s churches and used at various ‘Kirking o’ the Tartans’ ceremonies throughout the state. Although attempts have been made to discredit it by some with a vested interest in the Carolina tartan, the North Carolina was warmly welcomed by Secretary of State Elaine Marshall and has proved to be popular with ‘Tarheels’ everywhere. In the words of North Carolinian Matt Newsome, custodian of the Scottish Tartans Museum in Franklin:

…in some instances, a tartan may be “unofficially” approved for a district by wont and usage. In other words, if a particular tartan is being manufactured and sold for a particular district, and people are buying and wearing that tartan to represent that district, then over time the tartan becomes generally accepted as a district tartan through no one’s authority other than the weavers and wearers.

Associated Links

Tartans Scotland Online Tartan Guide (external link)
Montreat Scottish Society
Down East Scottish Society, Inc.