On October 15, 2004, at the
Stone Mountain (GA) Highland Games, Matthew Newsome was invested into the TECA
Guild of Scholars. TECA (the Tartan Educational and Cultural
Association) was founded in 1984 in the United States as a body to promote the
use of tartan and educate the public as to the history and traditions of
Highland dress. It represents the Scottish Tartans Authority (STA) in
the United States.
Although membership is open to
the general public, it has a core Guild of Scholars that consists of some of
the foremost authorities on tartan in the world, including Hugh Cheape, Peter
MacDonald, James Scarlett, and Anthony Murray of Scotland, Alex Lumsden of
Canada, and Bob Martin, Philip Smith, and Francis Slater of the United States.
More information on TECA and the Guild of Tartan
Scholars can be found by following this link.
From left to right, Matt Newsome, Bob
Martin, and Phil Smith. Sitting at the table in back are Chuck Bearman
and John Abbot.
Phil Smith investing Matt Newsome with his
Guild of Scholars medal.
The
Guild of Tartan Scholars