Canada claims world tartan first

ITS colours are a distinctive red, brown and green, and its well-loved pattern featured in the closing ceremony in last year's Winter Olympics. Now, Canada has made the maple leaf the world's first national tartan.

The designation, made last month by the Canadian government, means the tartan - which was designed by a Toronto-based tartan manufacturer in 1964 in the autumnal colours of the motif that appears on the country's flag - will join the coat of arms, the flag and the beaver as an official emblem of Canada.

Moves are also continuing for the Canadian government to officially recognise 6 April as Tartan Day, as it is already is the US.

Canada's heritage minister, James Moore, said: "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."

The bill to make the tartan official was first proposed by Canadian politician Elizabeth Hubley, the Liberal senator for Prince Edward Island.

"Tartans are a visible way to celebrate Scottish culture and heritage, which has played a large role in shaping the evolution of Canada," she said. "A national tartan is one which can be claimed by all Canadians."

The tartan is currently worn by the pipes and drums of the Royal Canadian Regiment, and was even featured in the closing ceremony of last year's Winter Olympics in Vancouver.

Tartans have long been popular in Canada, with each province of the country having its own official tartan. The maple leaf has been viewed for many years as the country's national tartan.

In 2008, the Canadian government registered the maple leaf tartan with the Scottish Tartan Authority in Edinburgh.