Information brought to you courtesy of Scots in Spirit, your one-stop-shop for tartans, kilts, accessories, Scottish-themed gifts and kilt hire.
Order online 

Tartan Day - and how to celebrate it

There are two dates to celebrate Tartan – April 6 and July 1

NZ and Australia mark International Tartan Day on (or around) July 1.

On this day in 1782, the Act of Proscription was finally repealed after 65 years. The 1747 Act banned the wearing of all tartan and other Highland dress in Scotland. Passed by the English after defeating the Scots at the Battle of Culloden, it formed a key part of the suppression of the Scottish Clans and the Highland way of life.

The USA and Canada instead mark Tartan Day on (or around) April 6.

This commemorates the 1320 Declaration of Arbroath, a letter written on this date by Lords of the Kingdom of Scotland to Pope John XXII. In the face of English attempts to take over, the Scots put the case for the Pope to recognise Scotland as a fully independent country and acknowledge Robert the Bruce as it’s lawful king. 

Both days are dedicated to tartan – and to celebrating Scottish heritage and the huge cultural contributions of people of Scots descent.

How to Celebrate Tartan Day

• Wear Tartan: Dig out the family tartan, wear a kilt or pop on a tartan scarf, tie or hat.
• Trace your roots: Use the New Zealand Society of Genealogists to explore your Scottish ancestry. If you know your Clan, go online to find your tartan, your Clan Crest, and some of the Clan history.
  
• Feast on Scottish fare: Enjoy traditional foods like haggis (with "neeps and tatties"), oatcakes, or shortbread. Maybe even a wee tot of whisky!
• Support local events: Investigate events near you and go along. Nothing near you? Organise a party with friends – wearing something tartan compulsory!
• Support other Scottish events and culture – a good place to start is the Scottish Events Calendar on the Scots in Spirit website at https://www.scotsinspirit.com/pages/events-calendar