Click the tartan to view its entry in The Scottish Registers of Tartans which includes registration details, restrictions, and registrant information.
Unregistered tartans may link to one of the web's online design environments for similar information.
For any questions about reproduction of designs or weaving of these tartans, please contact the registrant directly or via this website.
Classical Music Month
"The SCO has a marvelous blend of technical precision and passionate music-making, making them one of the finest chamber orchestras in the world."
~ Sir Charles Mackerras, conductor
Indeed! Happy 50th to tje Scottish Chamber Orchestra! The SCO was founded in 1974 and is one of Scotland's leading orchestras, celebrated for its versatile performances of classical and contemporary music. Based in Edinburgh, the SCO quickly gained a reputation for its innovative programming and collaborations with renowned conductors, composers, and soloists. The orchestra performs in major venues across Scotland and tours internationally. Known for its intimate sound, the SCO plays a central role in the cultural life of Scotland. Over the years, it has premiered numerous works by contemporary composers, while maintaining a strong connection to the classical canon, particularly the works of Mozart, Haydn, and Beethoven. The namesake tartan is based on the Ferguson clan tartan in recognition of the late Sir Charles Mackerras , past conductor, with influences from the MacDonald clan tartan to represent Donald MacDonald, Chairman of the SCO, and the Maxwell clan tartan to reflect the SCO’s long-standing relationship with composer Sir Peter Maxwell Davies. As a fanciful observation of interest, if you assigned the colour spectrum to the chromatic scale, the "Concert A" used to tune the orchestra, would just about land in the blue to light blue to indigo range, defining the center of this sett! 💙 ❤️ 💚 💛 🖤 🎼 🎶 🎻 🎺
C (Do) – Red
C# / Db – Red-Orange
D (Re) – Orange
D# / Eb – Yellow-Orange
E (Mi) – Yellow
F (Fa) – Yellow-Green
F# / Gb – Green
G (Sol) – Blue-Green
G# / Ab – Light Blue
A (La) – Blue
A# / Bb – Indigo
B (Ti) – Violet
A chamber orchestra is a smaller, more intimate ensemble compared to a full symphony orchestra, typically consisting of 15 to 50 musicians. It includes a mix of string, wind, and sometimes brass instruments, but often in smaller numbers. The compact size allows for greater flexibility and closer interaction among the musicians, fostering a more nuanced, detailed performance. This makes chamber orchestras particularly well-suited to performing classical works from composers like Mozart, Haydn, and Beethoven, as well as contemporary compositions.
The Scottish Chamber Orchestra (SCO) is an outstanding example of a chamber orchestra that has gained international recognition for its dynamic and versatile performances. Founded in 1974, the SCO is renowned for blending traditional classical works with modern and experimental pieces, embodying the innovative spirit of Scottish culture. Their performances bring a distinct energy, often emphasizing a close collaboration between musicians and conductor, allowing for a more expressive interpretation of the music. The SCO also plays an important role in the community, engaging in educational outreach programs, collaborating with composers, and fostering Scottish musical talent.
For a playlist of their performances, click the SCO graphic!