Ministers, MSPs, council leaders and dignitaries from across Scotland gathered in the Scottish Parliament last night to promote Tartan Day, writes Steve Bargeton, political editor.

In recent years this celebration of all things Scottish has grown to become a week of activities. Last night at a reception in the Garden Lobby at Holyrood, supporters set the scene for next year’s event.

Surrounded by the colourful historical characters from the Arbroath Abbey Pageant Society, the convener of the cross party group on Tartan Day, Angus MSP Andrew Welsh, said, “Tartan Day is not enshrined on the international calendar. We want to see Tartan Day become a celebration of all things Scottish.”

Mr Welsh said the event said the event should be an occasion of “friendship and goodwill between peoples throughout the world.”

Tartan Week, embraced in the United States where it is endorsed by Senate and Congress, “came home” to Scotland in 2004. The aim is to build on the success of the last two years towards a global event in 2020.

Angus Council, which hosted last night’s event, has taken the lead promoting Tartan Day.

“What we want to do through Tartan Day is to promote Scotland,” said council leader Rob Murray.

“We already had a Tartan Day event in Angus and wanted to develop it nationally and internationally. It is a showcase of what Scotland has to offer.”

Dundee City Council leader Jill Shimi said, “We see Tartan Day as an opportunity to allow us to work in partnership with local authorities within our city region to promote tourism.”