Canadian Tartans
Canadian Tartans
Tartans of Canada — provinces, territories, and the Maple Leaf
Nova Scotia — 'New Scotland' — was the first place outside Scotland to adopt an official tartan, in 1953. Every Canadian province and territory now has one, and the national Maple Leaf Tartan was officially recognised in 2011. Canadian tartan tradition is older and arguably better-established than the American one.
Canada — New Scotland in fact and in tartan
Sir William Alexander received a Royal Charter from Charles I in 1621 to establish 'Nova Scotia' — New Scotland — in what is now mainland Canada and the Maritimes. The colony's name and identity persisted even after French and English political wrangling. By the 19th century, Cape Breton, Pictou County, and parts of New Brunswick were home to the largest Scottish Gaelic-speaking communities outside Scotland itself.
The Nova Scotia Tartan, designed by Bessie Murray in 1953 and registered the same year, was the first tartan ever to be created and adopted by a non-Scottish jurisdiction. It set the template: blue and green for the sea and forests, red for Royal Charter, gold for the Royal Arms of Scotland, white for the rocks and surf. Every Canadian province now has a registered tartan following similar principles.
The Maple Leaf Tartan, designed by David Weiser in 1964 for Canada's centennial, was adopted as the official national tartan of Canada in 2011 by Prime Minister Stephen Harper. It is now worn nationally at Canada Day events, Highland Games across the country, and Royal Canadian Regiment ceremonial occasions.
Canadian provincial & territorial tartans
Maple Leaf Tartan
Officially recognised as Canada's national tartan. Colours represent the changing maple leaf through the seasons. Appropriate for any Canadian with Scottish heritage.
Nova Scotia
The first tartan ever adopted by a non-Scottish jurisdiction. Designed by Bessie Murray. Blues and greens of the Maritime coast.
Cape Breton
Cape Breton has its own tartan distinct from Nova Scotia's. The Cape Breton Gaelic community is the strongest survival of Scottish Gaelic outside Scotland.
Ontario
Official Ontario tartan registered 1965. Three Ontario tartans exist; the 'Ontario' tartan is the most-worn at provincial events.
British Columbia
Registered 1974. Pacific-coast colours reflecting BC's distinct character. Worn widely at Vancouver and Victoria Highland Games.
Alberta
Designed 1961, registered later. Greens and golds reflect the prairie and wheat. Sometimes paired with the RCMP tartan for ceremonial events.
Quebec
Officially registered. Reflects Quebec's distinct culture — though some debate the tartan tradition fits a francophone province. Worn at Highland Games in the Eastern Townships.
Royal Canadian Mounted Police
RCMP tartan registered 1998 for the force's 125th anniversary. Worn at RCMP ceremonial events and by veterans.
What to wear if you're Canadian with Scottish heritage
Canadian Scottish heritage is heavily concentrated in the Maritimes, Eastern Townships, Ontario, and parts of BC. If your family came through Cape Breton or Pictou County, the Scottish connection is direct.
- Maple Leaf Tartan — for Canada Day, Tartan Day, or any general Canadian-Scottish event. The national tartan since 2011.
- Your provincial tartan — for provincial events, Highland Games where you're representing your province, or as everyday wear at Scottish-Canadian functions.
- Cape Breton or Nova Scotia — if your family came through the Maritimes — arguably the strongest Scottish-Canadian heritage region.
- Your family clan tartan — always available — Canadian tartans complement rather than replace clan tartans for families with documented Scottish roots.
Canadian with Scottish roots?
Most Canadian Scots wear both their family clan tartan and their provincial or national tartan. Use the Clan Finder for surname lookup.