A CANADIAN MP shared a thoughtful Gaelic message to Scotland this week as the country celebrated the annual Tartan Day.

The yearly North American celebration marks the anniversary of the signing of the 1320 Declaration of Arbroath, the historic letter asking the Pope to recognise Scotland’s independence.

Typically the event sees parades take place across towns and cities, with pipe bands, traditional dancing, Scottish food and music featured.

READ MORE: Tartan Day: What are the celebrations and how did they start?

This year Culture Secretary Angus Robertson visited the US and Canada to mark the occasion, meeting with representatives in both countries. He will also attend the Tartan Day parade in New York on April 9.

Meanwhile, the deputy leader of the government in Canada's House of Commons, Kirsty Duncan, had a message for people in Scotland.

The senior Liberal MP told the parliament: “We celebrate the contributions of Scots and their descendants to the fabric of Canadian society.

“Among early settler communities, Scots helped map Canada, build railways, create national parks and found universities.

“We know the stories of Scottish Canadians like Alexander Graham Bell, Agnes Macphail, Nellie McClung and many prime ministers, almost five million of us claim Scottish descent and have our own stories.

“We proudly share our Scottish culture from Gaelic singing, Highland dancing, piping to Scottish country dancing, that’s been carefully passed on through generations.

“Today and always we celebrate the friendship between Canada and Scotland, and the modern day opportunities including Gaelic Month in May in Nova Scotia.

“Canada agus Alba ri gualainn a cheile,” she adds, which translates roughly to “Canada and Scotland, shoulder to shoulder”.

Gaelic speakers responded to Duncan’s message with their thanks, while one Twitter user wrote: “I love to see Scottish heritage being acknowledged wherever we have left our mark. Well done Kirsty and well done Canada!”

Meanwhile during Tartan Day celebrations, Robertson was in Washington DC meeting members of the US Congressional Friends of Scotland group.

The Cabinet Secretary met with Robert Aderholt, Steve Cohen, Jim Himes and Brendan Boyle among others.