Tartan Day
By Louise B. Gunn

The pride of the Scots for their tartans is well known, and rightly so as it represents their identity. Traditionally made of wool, their garments were weaved in a pattern of lines crossing at right angles known as plaid. The dye used in the colorful combinations came from plants indigenous to regions of Scotland and adopted by clans who inhabited these regions. Today, the Scots wear their clan tartan at festivals or for special events, or just because they feel like it.

In spite of the bloody feuds between the clans, the Scots united and fiercely defended their country when threatened. It’s on April 6th, 1320 that this notion of belonging was the strongest when the chiefs of the leading clans signed the Declaration of Arbroath promising to keep Scotland free from foreign invasion. For several hundreds of years, they valiantly kept that promise. However, at Culloden on April 16th, 1746, the Scots lost the battle against the English and most importantly their identity; the clan system was abolished; wearing the kilt and tartan became unlawful and playing the bagpipe was strictly forbidden because it was considered to be a weapon of war. When the Seven-Year War started in 1755, the British were in serious need of fresh troops. They turned to the Scots who, in spite of threats, categorically refused to integrate the British army and to wear the English uniform. Therefore, having no other choice, the Scots were allowed to wear the kilts. This is how the kilted Scottish regiments arrived in Canada in 1757.

The idea for Tartan Day originated in Nova Scotia, Canada at a meeting of the Federation of Scottish Clans on March 9th, 1986. A motion was introduced by Mr. Bill Crowell, President of Clan Cameron and seconded by Mrs. Jean Watson, President of Clan Farquharson, that a day be established to honor the accomplishments of the Scots in their new country. It was first named ¨Scots Day¨ but was amended to read ¨Tartan Day¨ and chosen to promote Scottish Heritage by the most visible means: the wearing of Scottish attire especially in places where the kilt is not ordinarily worn, i.e. work, play or worship.

Jean Watson was asked to find a day early in spring, but not too cold. April 6th was proposed and approved, not because it was the same date as the Declaration of Arbroath but because this date stood for the things that were felt important to all. She wrote to the N.S. Legislative Assembly to have the day recognized, which it did on April 6, 1987. Then, over a 10-year period, she contacted the other Canadian Legislative Assemblies as well as Scottish clans and societies to gain acceptance of the idea. Most provinces and territories endorsed it. Ontario was second in 1991, then P.E.I. and provinces west of Ontario in 1992, New Brunswick in 1993 and Newfoundland in 1995. For several years, Québec resisted as it already had a special day to honor all cultural communities in the province. But, thanks to the efforts of many people and including the guidance of Mr. Louis A. (Lou) Dawson, then Deputy Chief of the Sons of Scotland Benevolent Association of Montreal, who was also the Chairman of the Committee for the Recognition of Tartan Day in Québec, the Government of Québec officially adopted Tartan Day on December 18th, 2003. For her enthusiasm and devotion, Jean Watson is affectionately known as the ‘Mother of Tartan Day’.

The idea of a similar celebration started to spread throughout the USA in 1994 and, in 1998, the U.S. Senate designated April 6th of each year as ‘National Tartan Day’. Other countries around the world have also adopted this special day. Australia, New Zealand and some Asian countries celebrate Tartan Day with great enthusiasm on July 1st, being a more convenient date for them. In France, although not yet an official proclamation, the celebration of Tartan Day began in 2003. Even Scotland has shown some interest in it but obviously not with the same enthusiasm and logically more from a rational viewpoint considering the resulting trade, tourism, etc.

Let’s celebrate this heritage and proudly wear the tartan.