TARTANS AND TUNES

Thank you for joining us for our 5th annual Tartan Day Celebration! We hope to see you again April 5th, 2025

Thank you to Hardisty for the excellent turnout at the Elks Hall! We were overwhelmed by your support.

In 2024 we had the pleasure of seeing the poised Sword and Thistle Highland dancers from Vermilion and the busking feats of the Golden Prairie 4H Club from Forestburg. We heard the enchanting vocal stylings of Sarah Waters and the rich tones of the Ratté string quartet. We also enjoyed Dan Fee's demonstration of the Uilleann pipes and David Samm playing the electronic red pipes. All of this entertainment interspersed with the music of our very own Battle River Pipes and Drums.

Watch for details on next year's Tartans and Tunes! We hope to see you there.

WHAT IS TARTAN DAY

Originating in Nova Scotia during the 1980s, Tartan Day is now an observance type of holiday in Canada that was officially declared on October 21, 2010 by the Minister of Canadian Heritage.

It is celebrated on April 6th each year as the anniversary of the signing of Declaration of Arbroath in 1320, the Scottish declaration of independence.

The Idea of “Tartan Day” started at a meeting of the Federation of Scottish Clans in Nova Scotia on 09 March 1986. Members Bill Crowell and Jean MacKaracher-Watson put forward the following motion to the Federation:

“We establish a day called ‘Tartan Day’. This really is a day chosen to market Scottish Heritage from the most visible ways. The wearing of the Scottish attire, particularly in areas where the kilt isn’t ordinarily worn, i.e.: work, play or worship.”

April 6th in Scotland is the date of the signing of the Declaration of Arbroath in 1320, which states in part:

“. . .It is actually, not for glory, nor riches, nor honours that we are fighting, but for freedom — for that alone, which no honest man gives up but with life itself…”

In Canada, Tartan Day, April 6th, Canadians are invited to wear tartan in commemoration of the contributions of Scots and their descendants into the fabric of the society. Tartan Day illustrates how to rise above hardships and cruelty with faith in God, dedication and determination.