Tartan Day is a chance to celebrate Scotland around the world and strengthen ties between Scotland and places where Scottish people settled.
Tartan Day was founded in Nova Scotia in 1987 as an annual celebration of Scottish culture and heritage. In the USA it was declared ‘Tartan Day’ by the Senate in 1998 to celebrate the outstanding achievements and contributions made by Scottish Americans to the United States.
In these two countries and in most of the world (including Scotland!), Tartan Day is celebrated on 6 April. This marks the day in 1320 when the Declaration of Arbroath was signed. This document was a letter sent by Scottish nobles to the Pope asserting Scotland’s independence from England, and is seen as an early expression of Scottish independence and national identity and self-determination.
But in New Zealand and Australia we do things differently and celebrate Tartan Day on 1 July. This is the anniversary of when a prohibition on the wearing of tartan was lifted in1782.
After the Jacobite risings — especially the final rising in 1745 — the British government tried to suppress Highland culture. As part of this, the Dress Act of 1746 made it illegal for men and boys in the Scottish Highlands to wear traditional Highland dress. Flashing the tartan could result in heavy fines or even transportation to a penal colony. After 36 years this restriction was repealed on 1 July 1782, restoring the legal right to wear tartan.
It’s ironic that tartan became a much more prominent symbol of Scottish identity after it was revived in the 18th and 19th centuries following this attempt to suppress Highland culture after the Jacobite risings.
Of course you don’t have to wait until either 1 July or 6 April, and can celebrate your Highland pride at any time. Find out where to buy the right gear.