Scottish Tartans Authority

The Scottish Tartans Authority was originally formed in 1996 by Scotland's leading weavers and tartan retailers. Their objective was to promote a deeper knowledge of Scottish Tartans, their origins, manufacture, use, history and development. An important aspect is to compile and maintain the International Tartan Index to record and document all known historical tartans and to provide a free information resource for the public and a 'register' for the Recording of all new tartans. In 2009 two private tartan registers operating in Scotland, namely the International Tartan Index of the Scottish Tartans Authority (STA) and the Scottish Tartans World Register (STWR) were combined to create an official register under the terms of the Scottish Register of Tartans Act 2008. The on-line website database facility is maintained by the National Archives of Scotland, an executive agency of the Scottish Government. The site has a searchable database of all the registered tartans.

Tartans of Scotland

Scotland on Line have teamed up with the Scottish Tartans World Register to bring you the complete Register of all Publicly Known Tartans online, which includes details and images of over 2800 tartans.

Scottish Tartans Museum

The only American extension of the Scottish Tartans Society in Scotland, the US version is in Franklin, North Carolina.

Scottish Tartan Desktop Themes and Screensavers

Cece has created an amazing collection of 400 Clan, Family and District Tartan Desktop Themes for free download. There are clan badges, a map of Scotland and Celtic, Saints and Crosses Themes plus Celtic midi tunes to download as well. And as if that wasn't enough, there are screen savers based on illustrations from around Scotland. Clearly this site is a labor of love!

"Sconemac" or Nancy A. MacCorkill has an authentic history of the Kilt and Tartan

Buying Your Kilt

Dr Nicholas J Fiddes, Governor, Scottish Tartans Authority has written a free guide to why you should wear a kilt, and what kind of kilt to get; how to source true quality, and avoid the swindlers; find your own tartans, and get the best materials; know the outfit for any occasion, and understand accessories. It's all available in a downloadable PDF format (1.5MB). All views and information are the personal views of Nick Fiddes - but he has a lot of experience and background.

Tartan Day Events

The US Senate has approved 6th April to be "National Tartan Day" in recognition of the monumental achievements and invaluable contributions made by Scottish Americans. The above page provides details of a large number of large and small events which take place not just in the US but around the world (sometimes on dates other than 6 April).

Pipefest is the Web site set up by Epic Concepts who organise a number of major events such as the Tunes of Glory Tartan Day parades in New York and Chicago. They are also inviting every pipe band in the World to the capital of Scotland for the Dunedin Gathering in Edinburgh, Scotland, in August 2005.

The US-based National Tartan Day site has a history of National Tartan Day but when last accessed (in 2012) the events page had not been updated since 2007!

There is also a Scottish Executive (ie government) site with information on Tartan Day in the US plus a history of the Declaration of Arbroath, the creation of Tartan Day by the US Senate, biographies of a number of Famous Scots and a useful set of links to other government agencies operating in Scotland.

Scottish Regiments

Electric Scotland history section has details of Montgomery's Highlanders and the early history of the Black Watch as well as Fraser's Highlanders and Keiths's and Campbell's Highlanders.

There is a history of the formation of the Black Watch

The history of 78th Highland Regiment the "Ross-Shire Buffs" is commemmorated by the Halifax Citadel Regimental Association.

Black Watch Archive has rolls of honour and casualty lists from a number of Black Watch engagements

Royal British Legion Scotland

The main aims of RBLS are to act as the leading ex-service Charity in Scotland, promoting remembrance and comradeship and, in partnership with other Scottish Charities, to be responsible for providing welfare, benevolence and War Pension Appeals Support. They aspire to support veterans and their dependants of any nationality in Scotland and any monies received goes to that worthy cause. The Legion is the largest ex-servicemen’s/women’s organisation in Scotland providing access to 194 branches and associated well equipped clubs, from Shetland to the Solway.

The Black Watch

This Internet site is designed to show visitors glimpses into the real life work performed by all branches of The Black Watch family. It covers a number of aspects including the history of the regiment, its museum at Balhousie Castle in Perth and the Black Watch Association.

Dispatch Military Journal

Created by the Scottish Military Historical Society these pages are dedicated to Scottish military history and Scottish regiments. The articles are well researched, for example on Military Tartans).

Re-enactment and Living History Organisations

Border Reivers has a wide range of topics relating to the history of the Anglo-Scottish Borders during the time of the Border Reivers including clans & families, Border towns and strongholds, people, battles and Border life.

The Borderers is a small group of enthusiasts, from all over Britain (as well as some members who travel across from the Netherlands) who have come together in order to pursue and research the way of life of the Border Reivers - "The Steill Bonnets" - and is carried out through a programme of "Living History". The work of the Society can be seen by the public at weekend shows.

Clann Tartan is a non-profit cultural, educational, historical, recreational and social group founded in 1987 and based in Minneapolis/Saint Paul, Minnesota. They appear and perform at many historically based events, providing historical interactions that not only please crowds, but educate people on the important roots of the USA's Scottish forebears. The regiment represented is a detailed recreation of a Scottish mercenary army that fought throughout Europe in the 16th and 17th centuries.

Flos Scotia or "Flower of Scotland" is a German re-enactment society dealing with the Scottish middle-ages. No "Braveheart" representation but rather trying to depict the age as authentically as possible, using real historical characters from the 14th century. The text is in German - the graphics are universal.

Historic Highlanders is a Scottish cultural and educational organization based in the United States. Its objective is to preserve authentic Scottish heritage by researching and recreating elements of everyday life of Highland society from 1314 to 1746 the battles of Bannockburn and Culloden respectively), and to share that information with the public through lectures and demonstrations. There is a schedule of events they are involved in and a newsletter on the site, with illustrations of the members in action!

Queensland Scottish Volunteer Corps is a historical re-enactment and living history group based in Brisbane, Australia. The Corps are kilted, wearing the uniform of the 92nd Gordon Highlanders. The original regiment was formed in 1885 when there was a threat of war between Britain and Russia.

ScotWars is a Scottish Military History/Re-enactment Portal to all things about the military history of Scotland, the current re-enactment of such, traders and references for all concerned with history. It mainly covers the period 1638 to 1746.

Caledonia, Scottish and St Andrew Societies

One of the popular ways for Scots abroad to keep in touch is by way of specialist societies and clubs in their local area. This list of Caledonia, Scottish, St Andrew and Celtic Societies is probably the most comprehensive available on the Web and covers over 120 locations around the world.

Magazines and Newspapers

A useful resource for Scots abroad is the list of on-line Scottish Magazines and Newspapers in the above sections of the Rampant Scotland site. And the free weekly "Scottish Snippets" gives you a summary of all the Scottish news from the local media as well as numerous sections on aspects of Scottish culture and history.

Scots at Home and Abroad

American Scottish Foundation is a nationwide, non-profit American organisation whose purpose is to build bonds of interest and co-operation, both social and commercial, between the people of Scotland and the United States. It includes institutions and individuals with cultural, economic, educational, genealogical and travel interests.

Australian Scottish Heritage collects as much information as possible about all aspects of Scottish/Australian heritage, history, ancestry and culture. Sections of the site cover clans and clan links, groups and societies, families research and stories, national archives, military connections and an extensive picture gallery.

Central New York Scots has Scottish links and information on CNY Scottish Games, St. Andrew's Society of CNY and the Daughters of Scotia activities and programmes. Links for the Irish and Welsh, too!

Clan Boyd Newsletter is published quarterly and mailed tp to members via 1st class mail and contains Boyd clan biographies, marriages, burials, etc.

Brits in Crete is aimed at UK citizens living on this Greek island and covers aspects such as retiring or working there, travel to the area, importing motor cars, schooling, education and house buying. And of course, there is plenty of information and pictures of this lovely island.

Expat Index provides information for people living or working overseas - though the content is only available if you register. The site provides links to expatriate services and there are noticeboards for sharing experiences and information on how to look after your interests while abroad. There is also an online shop with expat supplies and British food favourites: Marmite, Ovaltine, Birds Custard or Lea and Perrins.

Glasgow Lands Scottish Festival takes place in Massachusetts in July with athletics, pipe bands, highland dancing competitions and sheepdog trials. An added attraction is the availability of meat pies, bridies and fish and chips!

Gold Country Celtic Society, Nevada City, CA is a social organization celebrating all Celtic culture. Classes in Scottish Country Dancing and Piping are available and the annual Robert Burns Celebration is the highlight of the social calendar. The website features a listing of games and Celtic events throughout the California/Nevada area.

Scots in Melbourne is a page on eMelbourne recounting the major contribution made by Scots to the development of this Australian city.

New Brunswick Scottish Cultural Association was formed in 1980 and promotes and encourages public interest in the history, traditions, culture, arts and crafts of Scotland and of those of Scottish descent and the languages of Scotland within the Province of New Brunswick. It encompasses and represents New Brunswick's Scottish associations and communities (according to the Canadian Census, 220,000 New Brunswick residents claim Scottish ancestry).

US Scots' Home Page is a large site with lots of information from an American perspective on cultural and commercial sites, clans, events and societies.

Windsor's Scottish Heritage refers to Windsor in Ontario, Canada, where the Public Library has created a website dedicated to Windsor's Scottish heritage and featuring dozens of pages about Scotland's history from pre-Roman times to parliamentary devolution, Scottish culture, folklore, and dozens of biographies of influential Scots in Canada and Windsor as well as in Scotland itself are all covered in some detail.

Encyclopedia of New Zealand - The Scots is an extensive history of Scots in New Zealand beginning with the sailors and missionaries before 1840, through the organised settlements of 1840-1852, the settlement at Otago, a surge of Scots 1853-1870, the ebbs and flows of 1900-1945 and immigration after 1945. There are sections on the influence of Scottish culture, education and Scots in public life and the New Zealand economy, plus lots of facts and figures. The site has lots of images, audio and viseo, a biographies gallery and sources of further information.

Ohio Scottish Games take place each year attracting Scots from far and wide. In addition to the usual features of such events, the Ohio games has massed pipe bands, border collies and a genealogy booth to help those researching their family tree.

Palace Barracks Memorial Garden at Lisburn, County Antrim in Northern Ireland remembers those who gave their lives in Northern Ireland, The Falkland Islands, Kuwait, and Iraq. It includes the details of those members of the Scottish Division and it regiments who gave their lives in these conflicts.

Polish Club in Glasgow provides a link for the many Poles who live in Scotland, either as a result of wartime service or more recently as football players. The site lists the many historical connections between Scotland and Poland.

ReloEXPRESS Atlanta is run by a Scot who offers to help people relocate to Atlanta, Georgia.

Amici della Scozia is an Italian web site created by people with a passion for Scotland. Their pages cover events, Scottish country dancing, whisky, photos, golf , bagpipes, photos and Scottish related links.

Barga News is the Web site of the Tuscan town which claims to be "the most Scottish town in Italy". Each year they have a Scottish festival celebrating its many links with Scotland, many of which date back over a century.

Scotland Chinese Dictionary is a database of everything to do with Scotland, all translated into Mandarin Chinese (including pronunication guide), hosted on the website of Inbox Education (a Glasgow-based producer of educational resources, including a market leading Chinese course). The company hopes that Chinese foreign students etc will add their own contributions. The dictionary includes a free lesson for use in schools where kids are learning Manadarin. So if you ever want to know how to say “Nessie” in Chinese, it’s “Ni-si-hu shui-gui”!

Scottish Friends and Lovers is somewhat different from most of the other contact sites in this section as it is a Scottish-based dating agency. But whether you're looking for a date in Scotland, Scottish email pals or just Scottish chat, this site can help!

Sons of Scotland is a fraternal association for Scottish people and their decendants which seeks to preserve and promote Scottish heritage and culture across Canada, by keeping alive the great traditions of history, literature and the music of Scotland. The Web site has a tartan viewer, Scottish Links and a Newsletter.

SzkocjaPL! is a Polish site dedicated to all things Scottish. It is written in Polish and English and has a page with translations of some Scottish words into Polish (with a long section on whisky) and articles and illustrations on various aspects of Scotland.

Whisky Wine and Words is a new site fostering Italo-Scottish relations and part of their mission is to help Italians to improve their use of English through participation in events in English which are professional and informative but friendly and fun at the same time.

Friends Reunited

A database listing over 40,000 UK Secondary and Primary Schools, Colleges and Universities. You have to register in order to be able to access the database.

Expats Reunite aims to keep ex-patriates around the world in touch and help them find people with whom they have lost contact.

My Old Mate also has a database containing details of many thousands of people and is dedicated to helping people find old friends, relatives, colleagues and school mates, searching using name (surname, maiden name, nickname), town, school or company name. Once found, you can contact your old friends in privacy.

Look Up UK is a Resource Centre for finding lost friends or relatives in the UK.

ForcesFamilies.com is dedicated to the armed forces of the alliance fighting against terrorism, from whatever country and their family and friends.

Association Franco-Ecossaise

A French speaking site dedicated to the Auld Alliance between Scotland and France. Contains a history of the Auld Alliance and French sources of information including the Association Franco-Ecossaise itself.

Franco-Scottish Society

The Franco-Scottish Society of Scotland was founded in Edinburgh in 1895. Its members are now spread over the main cities and towns of Scotland. The Society aims to foster contacts between the French and the Scots and to develop their traditional friendship through educational, cultural and social activities. There is an eqivalent web site in French.

Alliance France-Ecosse

Founded in Orléans, France in 1996, Alliance France-Ecosse strives to preserve the spirit of the Auld Alliance (the Franco-Scottish treaty signed in 1295) by promoting friendly, cultural and economic exchange between the two nations. Alliance France-Ecosse is a French registered Loi 1901, non profit making, totally independent, non religious, self financed association. Alliance France-Ecosse says it should not to be confused with any other association that may possibly bear a similar name or title...

SCOTS Online Heritage

If you have an interest in a particular aspect of Scotland you can register in SCOTS Online and find other people with similar interests. The concept is good but access is often slow.

Scottish Community Foundation

The Scottish Community Foundation has been created to give people and organisations, around the world a means of supporting Scotland. The Web site invites visitors to join their international network to play a part in building an even better Scotland. The Foundation is a non-sectarian non-political charitable trust raising funds around the world, to help the work of charities in Scotland.