| This month the 2010 FIFA World Cup kicks off in | | | | is a good choice. |
| South Africa, with thirty two countries from | | | | The "Canadian Centennial Tartan" serves as a |
| around the world competing. | | | | "national" tartan for all Canadians. |
| Although Scotland's tartan army won't be able to | | | | French players and supporters could opt for the |
| cheer on their home team you maybe surprised | | | | Jacobite tartan. The French supported the Stuart |
| to know the extent of the links between the | | | | cause for decades. French regulars fought to the |
| countries competing and Scotland, in particular the | | | | last at Culloden Moor after the clans had broken |
| number of countries who have celebrated this link | | | | and the "Culloden" tartan would honour those |
| with their own tartan. | | | | brave soldiers. |
| A footie fan has designed a 'world cup tartan', | | | | For the Germans - Prince Albert, lover of the |
| however this has yet to be registered. With lots | | | | Highlands and himself a tartan designer, was a |
| of counrty tartans fans can still support their | | | | German. The "Coburg" tartan was designed to |
| country by wearing a kilt. The host nation, South | | | | commemorate the Prince Consort. |
| Africa, has it's own tartan, part of the 'tartans for | | | | The "Dutch" tartan simultaneously represents the |
| Africa' series, created to strengthen the bonds of | | | | House of Orange and the MacKay family who |
| friendship between Scotland and Africa. The | | | | have been prominent citizens of both Scotland |
| tartan used the colours of the South African and | | | | and the Netherlands for many generations |
| Scottish flags. | | | | The New Zealand tartan made up of black grey |
| I will now take a look at the tartans for the other | | | | and white, Black represents the highest |
| World Cup teams and their ties to Scotland. | | | | achievement of all New Zealanders in sport. Grey |
| The Japanese tartan draws inspiration from the | | | | represents the multi cultural society and the |
| country's fascination with cherry blossom and | | | | unification of all our people and white represents |
| includes pink, white, green and brown colours. The | | | | the snow-capped Southern Alps. |
| design is called Sakura, the Japanese for cherry | | | | Three million Australians are either Scottish or of |
| blossom. | | | | Scottish descent. International Tartan Day in |
| There are currently around 100,000 Argentineans' | | | | Australia and New Zealand is celebrated on a local |
| of Scottish descent in Argentina. The Argentina | | | | basis in most states on July 1, the anniversary of |
| District tartan, designed by a Scottish-Argentine, is | | | | the Repeal Proclamation of 1782 annulling the Act |
| based on the Robertson tartan in honour of two | | | | of Proscription |
| Scotsmen, John and William Robertson, who | | | | Argentina has around 100,000 people of Scottish |
| started the first settlement of Scottish | | | | descent, the largest such community outside the |
| immigrants in Argentina in 1825. The colours used | | | | English-speaking world. The Tartan Day parade of |
| in the plaid are taken from the Argentine and | | | | Scottish porteñinaugurated in 2006. |
| Scottish flags. | | | | In the United States it is estimated that there are |
| While Algeria doesn't have it's own tartan, the | | | | 6 million people of Scottish descent. April 6 as |
| Algerian footballer and Rangers defender Madjid | | | | National Tartan Day "to recognize the outstanding |
| Bougherra believes that the whole of Scotland will | | | | achievements and contributions made by Scottish |
| be cheering him and his Algeria teammates on. | | | | Americans to the United States". |
| Algeria play England in their second group stage | | | | The historical association between Denmark and |
| match in Cape Town."Everywhere I go in Glasgow | | | | Scotland extends over 900 years to the age of |
| people stop me and tell me to beat England," he | | | | the Vikings. The Norse influence can be see in |
| said. | | | | fesitvals and in the place names in the North and |
| The American National Tartan takes its inspiration | | | | East of Scotland, as well as the original language |
| from the American flag, incorporating the red, | | | | used in Scotland - Gaelic. |
| white and blue of the Star Spangled Banner. | | | | Although tartan is associated with Scotland it has |
| There are also US State and District tartans such | | | | been known in Denmark for almost 400 years, |
| as those for Georgia, New York and Idaho. | | | | for some 40,000 Scots mercenaries, mostly from |
| A popular choice of tartan for South Americans is | | | | the Highlands, fought in the Kalmar Wars between |
| the "Cochrane" tartan which honours the naval | | | | Sweden and Denmark. Many of these Scottish |
| hero who founded the navies of several nations, | | | | soldiers eventually settled in Denmark and |
| this could be a winner for players from Brazil, | | | | became integrated into the local community. |
| Argentina and Chile. | | | | The Danish tartan was a gift to the people of |
| Spaniards with Celtic roots can choose the | | | | Denmark. The tartan includes the colours in the |
| "Galicia" tartan. This tartan has been designed for | | | | country flags of Denmark and Scotland. |
| the northern provinces of Spain alternatively it is | | | | Michael, a third-generation Scottish/Italian, has had |
| believed that the "Jacobite" tartan had its origins in | | | | his design for an Italian tartan approved by the |
| Barcelona and would be a good choice for | | | | Scottish Tartans Authority. The design features |
| Catalans. There is also a Espana Spanish Modern | | | | the green, white and red of the Italian flag against |
| tartan. | | | | the backdrop of the "azzuro" blue worn by the |
| The Duke of Wellington began his Peninsular | | | | country's football team. |
| campaign from Portugal so the "Wellington" tartan | | | | |