The wearing of tartan in Scotland was banned by the English in 1746 after the Battle of Culloden. However, in July of 1782 the English government relented and tartan could be worn again. The wearing of tartan is now celebrated around the world and here in Brisbane it is celebrated on a July Saturday of each year.

Our pipe band has participated in Brisbane’s Tartan Day for many years and the green tartan that we wear as part of our uniform is Ancient Urquhart. Tartan Day attracts huge crowds of people from all nationalities, not just Scottish, as they are drawn by the sound of the bagpipes, the fascination of the Highland dancing and the look of the kilt!  On Tartan Day a number of pipe bands converge on King George Square in Brisbane to celebrate all things tartan. There are individual performances by the pipe bands, other celtic bands, singers and musicians, as well as highland and ceilidh dancers and food and market stalls. Massed bands also converge on the square twice during the day, playing familiar tunes to the roar of the crowd!

These photos are just a few of the many that were taken here on 21st July, on the day that Brisbane celebrated Tartan Day in 2018.