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For those from Scotland or simply admirers of Scottish culture, the importance of tartan cannot be overlooked. The Scottish people’s affection for tartan led to the establishment of National Tartan Day, a day to commemorate their heritage. Here, we share everything you need to know about Tartan Day.
TARTAN DAY: WHAT IS IT AND WHEN IS IT CELEBRATED?
April 6 marks Tartan Day, which coincides with the signing of the Declaration of Arbroath in 1320. This day is celebrated by North Americans to honor Scottish history. Originating in Canada in the mid-1980s, Tartan Day spread to other Scottish expatriate communities in the 1990s. In Australia, International Tartan Day is celebrated on July 1, the anniversary of the lifting of the 1747 Act of Proscription that prohibited the wearing of tartan.
Tartan Day celebrations typically include Highland dancing, pipe band parades, and other Scottish-themed events.
THE BEGINNINGS OF TARTAN DAY
The concept of Tartan Day was proposed during a Federation of Scottish Clans gathering in Nova Scotia, also known as “New Scotland,” on March 9, 1986. Clan Lamont President Jean Watson requested provincial governments to declare April 6 as Tartan Day. Nova Scotia became the first to issue such a proclamation in April 1987, with other Canadian jurisdictions following suit.
In 1997, the Scottish Coalition USA sought to have Tartan Day recognized in the US as it was in Canada. With the assistance of Trent Lott, the US Senate declared April 6 as National Tartan Day in 1998. Subsequently, the Congressional and Presidential branches of government designated Tartan Day Observance on April 6 each year.
Wearing tartan on July 1 has been encouraged in Australia since 1989, and the day has been referred to as International Tartan Day in the country since 1996.
TARTAN DAY ACROSS THE GLOBE
Canada
Approximately 4.7 million Canadians, or 15.1%, identify as Scottish. Canada’s oldest civilian pipe band, the Sons of Scotland Pipe Band, organizes an annual “Gathering of the Clans” in Ottawa on Parliament Hill at noon on April 6, or the closest Sunday thereto.
The recurring event will be held for the 15th consecutive year on Sunday, April 23, 2023. The inaugural celebrations took place in 2011, the year when Canada’s national tartan, the Maple Leaf, was introduced.
Scotland
The first Tartan Day festival in Scotland was initiated by Angus Council on April 6, 2004. Since then, various regional councils have joined the efforts to promote Tartan Day worldwide.
Argentina
Argentina houses around 100,000 individuals of Scottish heritage, making it the largest population outside the English-speaking world. The Scottish Argentine Society organizes an annual march of Scottish porteños, which first took place in Buenos Aires on April 6, 2006. A symbolic key is worn to the Arbroath Abbey’s gate to commemorate the occasion in 1320 that inspired this day’s celebration.
Australia
Around three million Australians are Scots or of Scottish descent. Local communities celebrate International Tartan Day on July 1, with some organizations observing the day on the nearest Sunday.
Since 2001, the Scottish Australian Heritage Council and the Australian branch of the Scottish National Party have advocated for the federal government’s recognition of International Tartan Day, acknowledging the significant Scottish contribution to Australian history.
In 2008, Linda Fabiani, Scotland’s minister of culture, initiated a proposal to transform Australia’s celebrations into an official Scotland Week.
United States
Approximately 25 million people in the US have Scottish ancestry. The United States House of Representatives unanimously approved House Resolution 41 on March 9, 2005, declaring April 6 to be “National Tartan Day.”