| Germany |
Page 1 of 2  Scottish World Tartan Register No. 2626 Geography, as always, played a big part. But in those days when sea travel was supreme, to be joined by water rather than land was a huge plus. Scotland had easier access to Northern Europe than anywhere else, and was an active member of the Hanseatic League originated by German merchants in the13th C.. The first record of trade between Scotland and Germany is a letter from William Wallace to the merchants of Hamburg and Lubeck after his victory at Stirling Bridge in 1297, declaring that Scotland was free and that trade could resume. Throughout history ideas have travelled on the back of trade, and Martin Luther’s ‘protest’ on 1517 was to foresee the start of the Reformation which fundamentally helped shape the Scottish mind-set. Two centuries later the new ideas of the Enlightenment spawned philosophical giants like Hume and Kant. Soon German composers and playwrights began to look to Scotland for artistic inspiration: Mendelssohn, Haydn,. Beethoven and Schiller. Today 36 twinning programmes between Scottish and German towns and cities are living proof that the ancient links between our two countries and their peoples are stronger than ever. The German tartan has been designed and woven as a gift to the people of Germany and those of German descent living throughout Scotland. The colours of the tartan combine the colours in the flags of Germany and Scotland. In his letter of thanks for his complimentary tie the German Consul General in Scotland remarked: There are currently some 30,000 people of German origin living or working here in Scotland and over 300,000 German visitors annually. This attractive tartan will make them feel especially welcome to Scotland. Ingo Radcke German Consul-General in Scotland Associated TartansTartans Scotland Online Tartan Guide (external link) |
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Tartan Facts & Snippets
| Since 1998, the USA has held a Tartan Day on 6 April, to commemorate the signing of the Declaration of Arbroath. |