Dark (Navy) Blue — The dark blue is the theme or background colour of the tartan. It is the colour of the riding breeches traditionally worn by Mounties. It is also characteristic of the shabrack or saddle blanket used by the Force's Musical Ride. The dark hue of this blue lends a subtle character to the tartan overall, thus assuring the tartan complements the RCMP scarlet tunic.

Scarlet Red — This scarlet is unique to the RCMP. It is the colour of the tunic for which the RCMP is renowned the world over. The scarlet harks back to the first years of both the RCMP and Canada, when scarlet was worn "in the service of Her Majesty", manifesting the presence of the Monarchy throughout the British Empire.

Yellow — The yellow/gold represents the cavalry stripe of the RCMP's distinctive ceremonial uniform. It also adorns the regular working dress, on both the hatband and trousers, of the men and women who serve Canada's public on a daily basis. The gold is also taken from both the crown and gilt letters of the Force's Crest. It is, in many ways, as distinctive to the RCMP uniform as the scarlet itself.

Sienna Brown — Sienna is taken from the buffalo which is the centrepiece of the RCMP Crest. It is symbolic of the western plains and the heartland of the RCMP.

Forest Green — The green is that of the maple leaves which surmount the buffalo and scroll on the Crest. The maple leaf, itself, is distinctively Canadian. It symbolizes Canada as a country, and the dark green of the tartan is there as a link to the land, the country, and the people served by the RCMP from coast to coast.

White — The fine white accent of the tartan is representative of the lanyard worn as an accoutrement to the RCMP's ceremonial uniform. It is also intended as the RCMP's link to First Nations people. The colour has special spiritual significance, symbolizing strength and endurance: traits which are the legacy of the RCMP in Canada.

Sky Blue — The buffalo of the RCMP's Crest is set into a background of sky blue. This same hue of blue is readily associated with the "United Nations", and has special significance to the RCMP, given its role in international peacekeeping.

The kilt is made of 16 oz. wool in the RCMP tartan. It is pleated in a "Regimental" or "Military" style pleat which shows as a pattern of lines, as opposed to a "family" style pleat which repeats the "set" of the tartan.

The design of the RCMP tartan was undertaken to mark the 125th Anniversary of the RCMP in 1997. A volunteer tartan committee representative of the Force's geographical regions consulted extensively across Canada, called for submissions and hosted a friendly competition to select an appropriate tartan. Mrs. Violet Holmes of Burnaby, British Columbia, provided the art work that lead to the creation of the tartan. The committee then partnered with Burnett's and Struth Scottish Regalia Ltd. of Barrie, Ontario and Lochcarron of Scotland woolen mills to produce the tartan. Following approval by Commissioner Murray, the tartan was officially registered with the Scottish Tartans Society in Pitlochry, Scotland, and was formally presented to the Force by Her Royal Highness Princess Anne during her visit to Atlantic Canada in June, 1998.

The tartan colours are as rich and varied as the heritage they represent. They are true to RCMP tradition as they are derived from the colours of the Force's uniform and badge. The colours weave into a perfectly balanced tartan design. The overall effect is pleasingly subtle, reflecting a harmonious interplay of colour that provides an excellent complement to the Force's world-renowned Red Serge tunic.