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The Red Thistle Tribute Tartans
- for the many decades of dance, music, and dedication -
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The Red Thistle tartan was designed in 2017 by Deborah Savage for retired Artistic Directors Jennifer and John Kelly and The Red thistle Dancers.
 
The Red Thistle (Dress) tartan was designed in 2019 to commemorate the 500th performance of the group since its founding in 1973.

The Red Thistle (Dance) tartan was designed in 2024 for use in a new dance costume.
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These tartans are officially registered in 
The Scottish Register of Tartans
.

Official Registry Notes​

 

Red Thistle

 

Designed as a tribute to The Red Thistle Dancers, a Scottish Country and Highland Dance performance group based in the San Francisco Bay Area, who take as their namesake, the California native red thistle.

 

This tartan is based on the California State tartan, birthplace of The Red Thistle Dancers in 1973.

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Colours:

 

Highland Green: for the Scottish Highlands of Highland Dancing

Parchment: for the Scroll of Honour awarded to the Directors of The Red Thistle Dancers by the Royal Scottish Country Dance Society

Reds and crimsons: for the California red thistle native species (Cirsium occidentale and Cirsium arizonicum)

Red Thistle (Dress)

 

The dress version of the Red Thistle tartan was designed to commemorate the 500th performance of The Red Thistle Dancers in 2019. The Red Thistle Dancers, founded in 1973, are a Scottish Country & Highland Dance and Music Performance group based in the San Francisco Bay Area.

 

This tartan is based on the California State tartan, birthplace of The Red Thistle Dancers.

​

Colours:

 

Tamarillo: For the dark reds of the California red thistle species
Orange White: For the thistledown of the red thistle flower as it transitions to its mature stage
Parchment: representing the Scroll of Honour for achievement by all the Directors of The Red thistle Dancers
Brick Red: For the true reds of the California red thistle species
Crimson: For the deep crimsons of the California red thistle species
Nobel Grey: For recognition of and achievement represented by all members of The Red Thistle Dancers and Musicians past and present

The Red Thistle Dancers
- Scottish Dancing & Music  -

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