Our Tartan

Scots are members of clans, and each clan has its own distinctive tartan.  A tartan is a pattern consisting of criss-crossed horizontal and vertical bands in multiple colors, usually woven in wool.  The tartan was designed by our own Joyce Dell, a driving force behind the Society for more than two decades.  In 2000, it was adopted as the official tartan of the State of Rhode Island by Act of the General Assembly and is known today as "The State of Rhode Island Tartan".  The colors of our tartan incorporate a number of symbolic colors and elements unique to Rhode Island

·         Deep Blue – The sea and Narragansett Bay

·         Green – The verdant beauty of Rhode Island’s land and forests

·         White – Joy, honesty, integrity and the pursuit of perfection

·         Gold – Success, authority and value

·         Violet – The color of the State Flower, symbolizing strength in adversity, humility and sympathy.

While some of our members wear the tartan of their ancestral clan, many of our members wear this tartan that we are proud to call our own.  Click here to read more about our tartan. The Rhode Island Tartan is proprietary to the Scottish-American Society of RI, and is only available for purchase as neckties, sashes or kilts from our Society, via our on-line shop.