Manitoba Province Canada Tartan Collection
Manitoba Province Tartan Collection
Celebrate Manitoba with the province's own tartan — red for the Red River Colony, blue drawn from the Douglas tartan of Lord Selkirk, and green and gold for the land itself.
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About the Manitoba Tartan
The Manitoba tartan is the official tartan of the province, designed in 1962 by Hugh Kirkwood Rankine and adopted the same year. It is a district tartan rather than a clan sett, so it belongs to the province and to everyone connected with it.
Its design carries a piece of Manitoba's founding story in cloth: the blue is taken from the Clan Douglas tartan, in memory of Thomas Douglas, fifth Earl of Selkirk, who brought Scottish settlers to the Red River in 1812.
Manitoba Tartan Pattern and Colours
The sett is built on red for the Red River Colony, with blue from the Douglas tartan for Lord Selkirk, dark green for the people of many origins who built the province, and gold for the grain and other wealth of the prairie.
Manitoba Tartan Heritage
In 1812 the first Selkirk settlers reached the forks of the Red and Assiniboine rivers, sent out by Thomas Douglas, Earl of Selkirk, from the Highlands and from Ireland. Theirs was a hard beginning of floods, hunger and conflict, but the Red River Colony became the seed of the province of Manitoba, and the Scottish thread has run through its story ever since.
Manitoba grew as a meeting place: Métis, First Nations, Scots, French, Ukrainian, Icelandic and many other communities shaped the province, and the dark green of the tartan is said to stand for the people of many origins who made it. The sett has been worn since 1962 by pipe bands, civic bodies and Manitobans wherever they have gone.
Who Is This Collection For?
This collection is made for Manitobans at home and away, Red River and Selkirk settler descendants, Douglas kin, prairie families, pipers and anyone who wants a tartan that names their own province.
- ✓ Manitobans at home and abroad
- ✓ Red River and Selkirk settler descendants
- ✓ Clan Douglas kin
- ✓ Pipe bands and Highland games
- ✓ Canadian heritage gifts
- ✓ Red and blue tartan style
How to Wear Manitoba Tartan
Manitoba tartan works well across caps, shirts, hoodies, scarves, ties, jackets, blankets and keepsake gifts. Its bold red palette makes a striking statement for provincial occasions, family gatherings and everyday wear.
Manitoba Tartan FAQ
Quick answers about the Manitoba provincial tartan, who may wear it and what its colours mean.
Is the Manitoba tartan a clan tartan?
No — it is the official provincial tartan, so anyone with a Manitoba connection may wear it.
Who designed it and when?
Hugh Kirkwood Rankine designed it in 1962, and it was adopted by the province the same year.
Why is there Douglas blue in it?
In memory of Thomas Douglas, fifth Earl of Selkirk, who brought the first settlers to the Red River in 1812.
What does the red stand for?
The Red River Colony, the settlement at the forks that grew into the province.
Who were the Selkirk settlers?
Highland Scots and Irish families sent out by Lord Selkirk from 1812 to farm at the Red River.
Who can wear the Manitoba tartan?
Anyone with roots in or affection for Manitoba — it belongs to the province, not to a family.
Wear the Manitoba Tartan
Discover Manitoba tartan clothing, accessories and gifts — Red River red and Selkirk blue for the prairie province.
View Manitoba Tartan Clothing