Click the tartan to view its entry in The Scottish Registers of Tartans which includes registration details, restrictions, and registrant information.
Unregistered tartans may link to one of the web's online design environments for similar information.
For any questions about reproduction of designs or weaving of these tartans, please contact the registrant directly or via this website.
Canada Day
"O, Maple tree! O, Maple tree!
O, thou'rt a pride and joy to me;
Of all trees of the forest green
There's none compares with thee, I ween;
Long may you stand, so green and grand,
Pride and joy of our happy land."
~ The Maple Tree, Alexander McLachlan (1818-1896)
The maple is Canada’s official national and arboreal emblem. There are more than 100 different species of maple around the world, 10 of which are native to Canada: Sugar, Red, Black, Silver, Big Leaf, Mountain, Striped, Douglas, Vine, and Manitoba. The colours of the maple leaf through the changing seasons became the basis for this asymmetric tartan designed by David Weiser in 1964. Known officially as the Maple Leaf tartan, the pattern incorporates the green of the leaves' summer foliage, the gold which appears in early autumn, the red which appears with the coming of the first frost, and the brown tones of the fallen leaves. It was designed in anticipation of the centenary of Canada's Dominion status in 1867, and adopted by the Canadian Government as one of its official symbols in March 2011. Maple Leaves Forever and Happy Canada Day! 🍁🍁🍁 🇨🇦
The Maple Leaf Tartan was created in 1964 by David Weiser in anticipation of the 100th anniversary of Confederation in 1967.
The four colours reflect the colours of the maple leaf as it changes through the seasons - green in the spring, gold in the early autumn, red at the first frost, and brown after falling.
In 2011, the tartan which had been an unofficial national tartan for many years, was declared an official symbol of Canada.
"The Maple Leaf Tartan has been worn proudly and enjoyed by Canadians for decades, but has never been elevated to the level of an official symbol - until now. Our national symbols express our identity and define our history. The Maple Leaf Tartan represents the contributions that the more than four million Canadians of Scottish heritage continue to make to our country,"said the Honourable James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages.
"The tartan is one of the most visual expressions of Scottish heritage and culture," said the Honourable John Wallace, Senator (New Brunswick). "Making the Maple Leaf Tartan an official symbol of Canada highlights the many significant contributions that people of Scottish heritage have made to the founding of Canada."
The Second Battalion of the Royal Canadian Regiment Pipes and Drums has adopted the Maple Leaf Tartan, and National Defence Headquarters has approved it for issue for Canadian Forces pipers and drummers who do not have a specific regimental affiliation. It was also featured in costumes worn during the closing ceremonies of the previous Winter Olympics.
For more about the Canadian maples, click the leaves!
Happy Canada Day!