Now we're going to wear a kilt

Greenland got a new national symbol last week.

It happened when a British delegation of parliamentarians visited Greenland. Among the participants was the Scottish politician Brendan O'Hara, who had brought a very unusual gift – two certificates from the Scottish tartan register, revealing that a special Greenlandic tartan has now been registered.

Tartan is the special pattern that, among other things, is included in the Scottish kilt. Each family has its own pattern, other patterns are linked to military units or organizations, and then there are patterns that are linked to geographical locations.

The Greenlandic tartan has been registered with effect from 3 February this year. The two certificates of registration were presented to Naalakkersuisoq for Foreign Affairs and Research Vivian Motzfeldt and the chairman of Inatsisartut Kim Kielsen during the visit.

Red, white and light purple

The special Greenlandic tartan is in red, white and light purple. The red and white colours refer to the Erfalasorput, and the light purple colour symbolises niviarsiaq – the Greenlandic national flower.

The British delegation held several meetings in Greenland – both with politicians and business people. Among them was Demokraatits Justus Hansen, who was able to report on an exciting meeting.

- Like Greenland, the Scots have a strong desire for independence – and they are very interested in hearing more about how we work with independence in Greenland.

- We have agreed to keep in touch, because we can learn from each other, says Justus Hansen, who has no plans to start wearing a kilt.

- It is a great gift that they brought to the Greenlandic people. I am grateful for that, but I am now pretty sure that I will never wear a kilt. I think it is too cold – even though I have nice legs, he laughs.

The director wears a kilt

It was different when the delegation visited Greenland Business. Director Christian Keldsen, who is also the British consul in Greenland, turned up in the kilt that he had made back in 2010, when the Scottish oil company Cairn Energy was drilling for oil off the west coast.

- My mother was from Northern England and we have Scottish blood in our family. So even though I grew up in Greenland and Denmark, I have a close relationship with Britain and am also very happy to be a British consul.

- That is why it was natural to get a kilt, which I bought in Glasgow when Cairn Energy came to Greenland. My kilt is a so-called Black Watch, which is one of the tartans that everyone can wear – regardless of family status and geographical affiliation.

- I have since worn the kilt regularly on festive occasions – and I have also worn the kilt to the DHL Relay. It is actually quite comfortable to run in a kilt, so it is also a practical piece of clothing.

- I have used the kilt so much that it is actually getting pretty worn out. So now that a Greenlandic tartan has been registered, the new kilt will of course be in the Greenlandic colours. I am already looking forward to getting it. It will be nice.

Christian Keldsen will not reveal what he is wearing under the kilt, but answers cryptically:

- A man with a kilt without underpants is wearing a kilt – A man with a kilt and underpants is just a guy in a skirt, but we live in Greenland, where it can get very cold.