The announcement of the register, which is expected to be in place by next spring, follows the publication of a Scottish Enterprise commissioned report that confirms the “significant contribution” the industry makes to the Scottish economy.

The research, carried out by ECOTEC Research and Consulting Limited, looked at the economic importance of the Tartan industry in Scotland and assessed the potential benefits of establishing a National Register of Tartan. It found that the Scottish tartan industry comprises a substantial component of the national textiles sector, with an estimated 200 tartan-related enterprises operating in Scotland. There are an estimated 4,000 people directly employed by the tartan industry in Scotland, while tartan’s overall contribution to Scotland’s GDP is equivalent to approximately £350m per year.

During a visit to two leading textiles companies in the Scottish Borders Mather said that tartan’s importance to Scotland cannot be overestimated. He continued: “It is deeply embedded in Scottish culture and is an internationally recognised symbol of Scotland.

"Today's report provides solid evidence that the tartan industry makes a significant contribution to the Scottish economy. So it is only right that the Scottish government protects, promotes and preserves one of our most valuable assets for generations to come."

Mather said that the Scottish government will be working with the industry and stakeholders to create the register, and added: "The Court of the Lord Lyon and the National Archives of Scotland will play a crucial role in setting up, operating, maintaining and facilitating access to a register. Their experience, objectivity and integrity will be invaluable in creating a definitive, independent and permanent national register of tartan.”

George MacKenzie, who is Keeper of the Records and heads the National Archives of Scotland, said: "The National Archives and the Lord Lyon's office both have centuries of experience guarding and making available public information.  Now we will be working together to create a single, official, online register of Scotland's world-renowned symbol, tartan."

Mather also recognised the work of Jamie McGrigor MSP, whose Members bill put forward the idea of a national register in the last parliament, which he said had: “…rightly received cross party support as an idea with real merit.”

McGrigor said: “I am absolutely delighted by the news that the Executive has promised to introduce a National Register of Tartans; this is a very important boost to the whole tartan sector and will be warmly welcomed by the industry.

“The previous Executive asked me to put my Bill on ice while it assessed the value of tartan to Scotland’s economy and heritage. I am therefore very pleased that the subsequent report has confirmed just how valuable tartan is and that the new Executive feels able to produce a Register by next spring.

“I am very happy that the Lord Lyon’s Office and the National Archives of Scotland, along with key industry players, will develop the Register as this makes good sense. It is vital that we keep Scotland as the Mecca for tartan worldwide and this National Register will go a long way in helping to achieve this.”