What is the Maple Leaf Tartan?

The Maple Leaf Tartan is Canada's official national tartan, designated by the Government of Canada on March 9, 2011 by Canadian Heritage Minister James Moore. It was designed in 1964 by David Weiser of Toronto in anticipation of Canada's 1967 centennial and was registered with the Scottish Tartans Society in 1965, the same year the Maple Leaf flag was adopted. It became official 46 years after its registration.

The tartan's pattern uses four colours that represent the maple leaf through the Canadian seasons: green for spring and summer leaves, gold for early autumn leaves, red for late autumn leaves, and brown for the leaves that fall to the forest floor before winter. The design was approved by the Scottish Tartans Authority before official Canadian recognition and is registered as Tartan No. 10119 in the Scottish Register of Tartans.

The Royal Canadian Air Force Pipes and Drums adopted the Maple Leaf Tartan as their kilt fabric in 1965. The Canadian Forces' 78th Fraser Highlanders, the Toronto Scottish Regiment, and many high schools, pipe bands, and Highland dance schools have used it since. It is widely available as cloth, ties, scarves, and kilts, and is sometimes worn by federal officials at events with a Scottish-Canadian or military theme.

Each Canadian province also has its own provincial tartan: Nova Scotia's, designed in 1953, was the first, designated by the provincial legislature in 1963 and recognised by the Lord Lyon King of Arms in Edinburgh. Provincial tartans are used by piping schools, Caledonian societies, and provincial government honour ceremonies. Tartan Day, observed every April 6, marks the date in 1320 of the Declaration of Arbroath and celebrates Canadian Scottish heritage.