Tartan of Citadel Military Academy

When one thinks of Scotland, many iconic images come to mind; rolling green hills, ancient castles, and Nessie swimming in her loch. Even more memorable than these, however, is the patterned fabric which has come to symbolize Scottish culture itself: Tartan is the only textile design in the world of which a tiny scrap can evoke such feelings of pride, such identification with the historical struggles of Scots, and identification with those desirable traits associated with being Scottish - honesty, industriousness and bravery in battle.*

Although tartan-style fabrics have a very long history – a good portion of it not Scottish – today these textiles are most famous as badges of identification. Specific colors and their arrangements function as a symbolic language in their own right, representing individuals, families and clans, as well as professional groups, companies, and organizations. To the huge international family of Scots and their descendants - estimated at 40 to 60 million around the globe - tartan represents everything that is admirable and wholesome about the land of their fathers.*

This tartan is a variation of the Earl of St. Andrew's, and includes the addition of yellow and red stripes. Woven by D.C. Dalgliesh in 1980 for this very old South Carolina Military Academy, it is said to have been 'arranged' by Otis C. Johnston, Jr. The designer was possibly the head of the Citadel Piping School at that time - Ludovic Grant-Alexander (info Bob Martin November 2003).**

The 'Citadel Military Institute of South Carolina', commonly known as "The Citadel", was founded 1843. The Pipe Band was established in 1955 by General Mark W. Clark then President of the Academy at that time. The tartan was not agreed until 1979 under the guidence of Col. William F. Prioleau Jr. The design is that of the Earl of St Andrews with an alternate gold and red over check to suggest bravery and excellence.**

*http://www.tartansauthority.com/tartan/

**https://www.tartanregister.gov.uk/tartanDetails?ref=652