TARTAN WEEK NEWS
New York Tartan Week Parade 2017
Sunday, Apr 9, 2017
Edinburgh was well represented in New York at The 19th Tartan Week parade down Sixth Avenue on Saturday. The day dawned beautifully sunny with clear blue skies, all adding to the sense of anticipation from the minute we arrived at Bryant Park for the reading of the Declaration of Arbroath.
Near the front of the parade TV personality Phil MacHugh had managed to find a seat in the back of the official Barbour Range Rover waving to the crowds along the route.
Barbour was the Platinum presenting sponsor of the parade and the Barbour Scottie and West dog pack.
Howie Nicolsby 21st Century Kilts
At the back of the line Howie Nicolsby of 21st Century Kilts was accompanied by wife Charlie and his two small sons. Howie was the Grand Marshal a few years back and is well known in the city where he has been fitting kilts in the St Andrews Bar for the last week and more.
Actor Tommy Flanagan known for his big break in Braveheart
He had dressed this year’s Grand Marshal Tommy Flanagan who had flown in from LA to head up the procession.
Although a little too busy to talk to The Edinburgh Reporter Flanagan who got his big break in Braveheart, did manage to sneak a look at our latest newspaper outside the Algonquin Hotel where those taking part mustered!
Accompanying the wonderful Gordon Millar from Scot Street Style was model Simone Murphy sporting her tartan trews from Stewart Christie on Queen Street and the Kilted Yogis, Tristan Cameron-Harper and Finlay Wilson.
In the parade there was political representation by the SNP with Joanna Cherry QC MP, Tasmina Sheikh MP, Corrie Wilson MP and Paul Monaghan MP all marching together.
Edinburgh Napier University led by Leigh Dilks was one of a number of Scottish universities represented.
Beforehand in Bryant Park, Presiding Officer of the Scottish Parliament Ken Macintosh hit the nail on the head when he said he thought he was in Scotland with all the pipe bands he could hear, but then realised the weather was too good! It was a perfect day for the march with blue skies and lots of spectators lining the route.
Sergeant Chris Murphy NYPD
The NYPD turned out in force complete with smiles and good humour to keep everyone safe. But the route is so wide that there was plenty of room for the highland dancers, the pipe bands and of course the Kilted Yogis to perform.
In 1998 the U.S. Senate declared 6 April as National Tartan Day when they would recognise the contribution made by those of Scottish descent to the USA. In 1999, two pipe bands and a small group of Scottish Americans marched from the British Consulate to the UN—the first Parade!
The event is organised by the Committee formed from three groups of volunteers , the St. Andrew’s Society of the State of New York, the New York Caledonian Club, and the American-Scottish Foundation. This was a precisely organised procession, beginning at 42nd and Sixth Avenue and ending at 55th where VIPs on top of the Barbour Bus were ready to cheer those taking part. With stops along the way to allow the highland dancers and others to perform for the crowds, it took about an hour and a half to pass by.
Our photos are all on Facebook here but here are a selection!
Read all about the 2017 event in the June issue of Scottish Banner!
NYC Tartan Week 2017
Click on the image to sample a foretaste of things to come in 2017, as published in Celtic Life.
June 11, 2015 - by Katrina Tweedie
Date set for New York Tartan Day Parade 2016
The date has been set for the Tartan Day Parade 2016 in New York and the first person to register their intent to march in the iconic Manhattan spectacle is a Scot from the east end of Glasgow.
The Tartan Day Parade
A Scot from the east end of Glasgow has become the first person to register to march in the iconic New York Tartan Day Parade 2016.
Piper Billy Taylor will march alongside his 14-year-old grandson, Craig Taylor Ovens in the Parade, which will take place on April 9.
He explained: “Craig and I play together in Uphall Station Pipe Band. He now competes in national and world championship events, and the Tartan Day Parade will give him a great opportunity to play in one of the biggest Scottish gatherings in the world.
“I love New York and have been on 11 previous occasions. I love the fact that NY has adopted so many prominent Scotsmen over the years and now hosts one of the biggest tartan events in the world - the New York Tartan Day Parade.”
Billy is a past President of Fauldhouse and Crofthead Burns Club and also Past President of the Lanarkshire Association of Burns Clubs.
Billy Taylor and his grandson Craig Taylor Ovens are first marchers in 2016 parade
Within the Robert Burns World Federation, he was Vice Convenor of the Marketing Committee and part of the committee who supported the 9/11 memorial.
“My family will be with me and we plan on spending time before and after the Parade taking in the great sights of New York. Top of my list is my return to Ground Zero to pay our respects,” Billy added.
“This will be a marvel for my grandson who plans to study engineering. This experience will give him the chance to visit wonderful structures such as Empire State Building and the Statue of Liberty. Who knows, maybe one day he will spend his gap or exchange year in the USA.”
The National Tartan Day New York Committee (www.nyctartanweek.org) is a not-for-profit coalition of the American-Scottish Foundation, the New York Caledonian Club, the St. Andrew’s Society of the State of New York, and Clan Campbell.
It organizes the New York Tartan Day Parade and Post-Parade Party, and coordinates related events during the week.
Look back on Tartan Week 2015 with our gallery and video.
NEWS FROM TARTAN WEEK 2015
February 23, 2015
The 17th Annual New York Tartan Day Parade to be led
by Graham McTavish, celebrated Scottish actor and star
of the Starz Original Series "Outlander" alongside
Rt. Hon. Tricia Marwick, MSP, Presiding Officer of the Scottish Parliament
The countdown is on to the 17th Annual New York Tartan Day Parade on Saturday April 11, at 2pm, on Sixth Avenue from 44th to 55th Streets.
To the cheers of the crowds, and waving of Saltires, Graham McTavish will lead the Parade as the 2015 New York Tartan Day Parade Grand Marshal, alongside Rt. Hon. Tricia Marwick, MSP, Presiding Officer of the Scottish Parliament.
The 17th Annual New York Tartan Day Parade to be led by Graham McTavish, celebrated Scottish actor and star of Starz Original Series "Outlander"
The 17th Annual New York Tartan Day Parade will take place on Saturday April 11, 2015
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| Graham McTavish, celebrated Scottish actor and star of Starz Original Series "Outlander" - Grand Marshal of the 17th Annual New York Tartan Day Parade | The Rt. Hon. Tricia Marwick, MSP, Presiding Officer of the Scottish Parliament has been appointed Honorary Grand Marshal of the upcoming New York Tartan Day Parade | |||
"It is a singular honor to follow in the footsteps of previous Grand Marshals. I hope I can live up to the illustrious tradition established by my predecessors and bring pride to my family, clan and nation," Graham McTavish responded when accepting the role.
The Presiding Officer said: "Having taken part in previous Tartan Day parades and experiencd at first-hand the color, enthusiasm and buzz of the marchers and spectators, I am pleased and excited to represent the Scottish Parliament at the head of the Tartan Day Parade. New York's Tartan Week celebrations highlight the unique relationship between Scotland and North America".
The Tartan Day Parade is the highlight of celebrations which run from
April 4 - 12, as New York celebrates its Scottish-American heritage and the Scotland of today. A diverse range of events, from the Scotland Run to photo exhibits, lunch-time concerts, business seminars, a Pre-Parade Ceilidh and more, is planned - leading to the Tartan Day Parade.
This year, Scotland is celebrating the Year of Food and Drink and the New York Tartan Day Parade celebrates the week with Belhaven as the "Official Beer of the New York Tartan Day Parade Events."
Bands and Clans from Scotland, throughout the United States and Canada are joining the Parade. From Scotland, the Oban High School Pipe Band will be marching for the first time, as will the Lanark & District Pipe Band. Clan members from throughout the United States, Scotland and Canada have registered to march and to cheer the parade along.
The National Tartan Day New York Parade Committee, comprising the St Andrews Society of the State of New York, the New York Caledonia Club, American-Scottish Foundation and Clan Campbell, a 501C3 registered charity, who oversee the Parade and leading events.
The New York Tartan Day Parade began 17 years ago with a handful of people walking down a sidewalk, and has now grown to be the culminating celebration of over ten days of events that will take place throughout New York.
"I remember well the first Tartan Day Parade along the sidewalks of Third Avenue. I am proud this year, on our 17th Anniversary of the Parade, to see us grow from strength to strength - a day for all to celebrate their Scottish American heritage ... we hope you will join us on the Avenue," said Alan Bain, President of the National Tartan Day New York Committee, the Parade organizers.
For further information regarding the New York Tartan Day Parade Events Calendar, visit nyctartanweek.org
For further information regarding the New York Tartan Day Parade:
Contact Camilla Hellman or Heather Quist
Email : info@nyctartanweek.org
t. 212 605 0338
NYTD @nyctartanweek
ASF @asfevents #NYTartanWeek #TartanDay #ScotWeek
For further information regarding Graham McTavish & Outlander Starz
Contact Alana McGaughey
Email : Alana.McGaughey@Starz.com
GRAHAM - @grahammctavish STARZ - @Outlander_Starz #outlander
For further information regarding Rt Hon Tricia Marwick, MSP
Contact Myer Cohen
Email : myer.cohen@scottish.parliament.uk
For further information regarding Belhaven
Contact Sonia Lawrence
Email : SoniaLawrence@greeneking.co.uk
THE 17th ANNUAL NEW YORK TARTAN DAY PARADE: will take place on Saturday April 11, stepping off at 2pm from 44th and Sixth Avenue.
In 1998 the U.S. Senate declared April 6 to be National Tartan Day to recognize the contributions made by Scottish-Americans to the United States. In 1999, two pipe bands and a small but enthusiastic group of Scottish Americans marched from the British Consulate to the UN-our first Parade! Since then, it has grown to include hundreds of pipers, thousands of marchers and many more thousands cheering from the sidelines. Website for Parade details: nyctartanweek.org/tartan-day
See News from previous years here.