Canadian
Canadian Tartans & Clan
Canada’s connection with Scotland runs deep, and tartan is woven into that story. In the 2021 Census, around 4.4 million Canadians reported Scottish ancestry, making Scottish one of the country’s most commonly reported ethnic or cultural origins. That connection is reflected in Canada’s tartans too. The Maple Leaf Tartan, created in 1964 and inspired by the changing colours of the maple leaf through the seasons, was declared an official national symbol of Canada in 2011. Alongside it, provinces and territories across Canada have their own distinctive tartans, each using colour and pattern to celebrate local landscapes, history and identity.
Canadian Tartans
16 variationsEach tartan can have multiple variations, the most common of which are Ancient, Modern, Weathered, Hunting and Dress
About tartan variations
- Ancient
- Modern
- Weathered
- Hunting
- Dress
Ancient Tartan
Before 1860 fabrics were coloured using animal and vegetable dyes. This produced the softer colours typical of the Ancient tartans, mossy greens and sky blues, a more orangey red and some would say showing off the pattern to much greater effect as as the contrasts are much brighter than the Modern tartans. The pattern or sett remains the same across all variations of a single tartan, and only the shades or tones vary.
Helpful Advice
Post 1860 chemical dyes replaced the natural animal and vegetable dyes and the Modern Tartans were born with their stronger and bolder colours. The soft greens and blues become bottle green and navy blue, reds are scarlet.
Modern Tartan
Before 1860 fabrics were coloured using animal and vegetable dyes. This produced the softer colours typical of the Ancient tartans. Post 1860 chemical dyes replaced the natural animal and vegetable dyes and the Modern Tartans were born with their stronger and bolder colours. The soft greens and blues become bottle green and navy blue, reds are scarlet.
Helpful Advice
The Modern tartans are often the more subtle combinations such as the classic Black Watch Modern
Weathered Tartan
Before 1860 fabrics were coloured using animal and vegetable dyes. This produced the softer, more earthy colours typical of the Weathered tartans, reminiscent of bolder colours subjected to wind, rain and sunshine producing beautiful faded tones, olive greens and browns, and very light blues with reds that are more pink than red.
Helpful Advice
Some mills refer to the Weathered tartans as Muted.
Hunting Tartan
The Hunting Tartans are the camouflage tartans and some clans don't have these variations because they are already predominantly green or brown and don't need amendment to blend in with nature's colours. The Black Watch or Gunn tartans are examples of these, whereas a tartan such as the Fraser is predominantly red and would not provide much cover for men out hunting.
Helpful Advice
One thing to remember if you are ordering your tartan to match an existing kilt or accessory is that although the sett and colours are the same, there can be a slight difference in colour from one mill to the next. This is purely down to yarn dying so if you need an exact match we suggest you order a swatch to double check.
Dress Tartan
The Dress Tartans were designed as the name suggests for celebrations and highland dance. The sett or pattern of the tartan remains the same and the main colour is changed to white, or extra white is added to the pattern to give it a brighter, more "fancy" appearance. The Scots do like to bend the rules and occasionally instead of white thread, yellow is used and this is where the rather wild MacLeod Dress Modern and Barclay Dress Modern came from.
Helpful Advice
One thing to remember if you are ordering your tartan to match an existing kilt or accessory is that although the sett and colours are the same, there can be a slight difference in colour from one mill to the next. This is purely down to yarn dying so if you need an exact match we suggest you order a swatch to double check.
From the start
Canadian Tartans Clan Origins & History
Explore the history
How it all started
Scottish Canadians make up around 15% of the country’s population, and in Prince Edward Island the Scottish connection is even stronger, with around 41% of the population claiming Scottish descent. It’s fair to say that Scotland has had quite an impact on Canadian culture over the years.
Large numbers of Scots began settling in Canada from the 18th century onwards, with communities forming across Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Ontario and beyond. Many arrived during periods of major change in Scotland, including the Highland Clearances, bringing with them their language, traditions, music, clan connections and, of course, tartan.
That influence can still be seen today in everything from place names and Highland Games to pipe bands, Scottish societies and cultural festivals held across the country.
Over generations, those Scottish roots have become an important part of Canada’s own story, creating a cultural connection between the two countries that remains just as visible today.
Tartan Across Canada
Affection for tartan crossed the Atlantic with Scottish regiments, many of whom served garrison duty in Canada before Confederation, and later with the generations of Scottish immigrants who settled across the Maritimes and United Canada.
Over time, tartan became part of the way Scottish communities celebrated their identity and connection to place. In Canada, district tartans are particularly significant, as they represent geographical areas rather than individual clans. Their colours often draw inspiration from the landscape, natural environment, local history and character of the province, territory, city or community they represent.
An Official Symbol of Canada
The Maple Leaf Tartan
Created in 1964 by Toronto businessman David Weiser, the Maple Leaf Tartan was designed ahead of Canada’s centennial celebrations in 1967 and has since become one of the country’s most recognisable tartans.
Its colours were inspired by the changing shades of the maple leaf through the seasons: green for summer, gold for early autumn, red for the first frost and brown for the fallen leaves before winter. In this way, the tartan reflects both Canada’s landscape and one of its most enduring national symbols.
On 9 March 2011, the Maple Leaf Tartan was officially declared a national symbol of Canada. Designed to be worn by Canadians of all backgrounds, it has become particularly associated with celebrations such as Canada Day and Tartan Day, and is proudly worn by individuals, pipe bands and organisations across the country.
An insight in to the Clans & Scottish Societies of Canada with Chair, William Petrie
William Petrie talks to Anna all the way from Canada, virtually of course to tell us about his story and his position as Chair of the CASSOC. The Clans and Scottish Societies of Canada link various Clans, Scottish Societies and Businesses across Canada.
A Mari Usque Ad Mare (From Sea to Sea)
