Tartan Day

Tartan Day is officially a celebration of Scottish heritage and the cultural contributions of Scottish and Scottish diaspora to recognize "the contributions of the Scots and their descendants to the social fabric of our country" and "the historical links between Scotland and Canada".

About 11% or 4.7 million Canadians claim Scottish descent. The Scottish Government is supportive of Tartan Day among the diaspora and works with the Scottish Society of Ottawa (SSO) to help celebrate it.

The now international event originated in Nova Scotia, in 1987 when Jean MacKeracher-Watson, president of the Clan Lamont Society of Canada, petitioned the provincial legislature to recognize April 6 as Tartan Day. It was later adopted by other communities of the Scottish diaspora and Scotland itself.

The day of April 6 was chosen in line with the date on which the Scotland's Declaration of Arbroath was signed in 1320. It called for freedom from England rule:

"As long as a hundred of us remain alive, never will we on any conditions be subjected to the lordship of the English….. It is in truth not for glory, nor riches, nor honours that we are fighting, but for freedom alone, which no honest man gives up but with life itself".

The Declaration of Arbroath is widely considered to be the inspiration behind the American Declaration of Independence in 1776.

International Tartan Day is now a national holiday recognized in provinces throughout Canada. It is also celebrated in various states of Australia, New Zealand, Argentina, France and the United States. The events typically have parades of pipe bands, Highland dancing, and other Scottish-themed activities.

The SSO was proud to work with the Scottish Government and help promote the Sons of Scotland Pipe Band (SOSPB), Canada's oldest civilian pipe band events on Tartan Day Saturday April 6. More information on The Tartan Day Trivia Contest, Tartan Day Reception can be found here:

Click Here to Find some of the highlights 

The Sons of Scotland (SOS) also hosts the Gathering of the Clans tied to the Tartan Day celebration annually with pipes, drums, and dancing. This year there is a wonderful Tartan Day Weekend program also hosted by SOS. It begins Saturday April 20 with a Tartan Day EXPO. The full celebration features highland dancers, massed bands and other Celtic entertainment and starts at noon on Parliament Hill Sunday April 21. It is followed by an after party at Deacon Brodies. More details can be found here.

We look forward to seeing you out and about at the Tartan Day events throughout April!

By Andy MacCulloch