Tartan Day

National Tartan Day History

National Tartan Day in Canada commemorates the day in 1320 when Scottish independence was declared with the signing of the Declaration of Arbroath. This day also recognises and celebrates Scottish heritage in the country and their role in the development of Canada. This involves not just the achievements of the Scottish ancestors, but also the inherent root of the tartan fabric symbolism, which is steeped in history and community identity.

The history of National Tartan Day in Canada goes back to 1986, when the Federation of Scottish Clans in Nova Scotia sought to recognise the historic and ongoing contributions of Scots in Canada. Initially, it was only celebrated in Nova Scotia, but in the following years, other provinces recognized the day too. In 2010, the Canadian Government unanimously passed a resolution to observe National Tartan Day nationwide. Diversity and multiculturalism are core Canadian values, which make this day relevant as it honours the Scottish-Canadian community and shares their rich culture and traditions with the broader population.

National Tartan Day in Canada is observed in various ways. Celebrations often include bagpipe music, highland dancing, sporting events and Scottish food. Communities may raise awareness about the day through educational events, demonstrations of Scottish customs, or cultural fairs. National Tartan Day is annually observed on April 6th, offering a chance for Canadians to reconnect with their Scottish roots and appreciate the vibrant cultural tapestry that is Canada.

Facts about Tartan Day

• Although the word plaid is used in North America to describe a pattern, in Scotland, tartan is the pattern and plaid is a piece of clothing with a tartan pattern.
• According to Martin Martin, author of A Description of the Western Islands of Scotland, a tartan served to distinguish residents of different regions. Eventually, the tartan was used as a symbol of belonging to a specific clan.
• Canadians of Scottish descent are the third largest ethnic group in the country. According to the 2016 Census, more than 4.8 million Canadians, or 13.93% of the population, claim full or partial Scottish ancestry.
• The colors of the Maple Leaf tartan - green, gold, red, and brown - symbolize the changing colors of the leaves of the maple tree, a national symbol of Canada, through different seasons.

In the News and Trending in Canada for Tartan Day

Top things to do in Canada for Tartan Day

• Create a tartan that is unique to your family clan.
• Learn Highland dancing which originated in the Scottish Highlands.
• Visit Scottish Landmarks - Visit Scottish related landmarks in Canada like The Gaelic College in Nova Scotia, The Scottish Heritage Center in Manitoba, The Celtic Cross monument in Quebec and the Kincardine Scottish Festival and Highland Games in Ontario.
• Attend Tartan Day Concerts and Ceilidhs – Traditional Scottish music plays a large role in the celebrations with concerts and ceilidhs (a social event with folk music, singing, storytelling and dancing) hosted all over the country.