Coming next year: Tartan Week in New York City

By Christopher Brown

If the skirl of the pipes and the rat a tat tat of the snare drum twirl your kilt, then get thee hence to NYC in April 2024, where New Yorkers really know how to roll out the ‘plaid carpet’.

Tartan Day Parade NYC, Christopher Brown

It all started 25 years ago when The American Congress decided to formally recognize the unquestionable contribution that Scots had played in the development of The United States.  

The influence of Scottish immigration to the U.S. is undeniable and pervasive in all areas of society, from Science and Technology, to Arts and Culture, and in 1998, our ‘neighbours to the south’ declared such and have celebrated the Scots in style, ever since.

April 6th, (the anniversary of the signing of The Declaration of Arbroath in 1320), was chosen, officially as Tartan Day, but this is no mere ‘one-day event’. Throughout ’Tartan Week’ there are music concerts at various venues throughout the city, Pipers in the parks, activities and talks as well as a traditional Ceilidh, all culminating in the weekend Tartan Parade.  In the days leading up to the Grand Parade, the number of kilted visitors increases, in the streets and avenues surrounding Times Square, as Clans congregate among the towering skyscrapers.

And what would a parade be without a celebrity Grand Marshall to lead it. Over the past 25 years, the position of Grand Marshall has been held by luminaries such as Sean Connery, Alan Cumming, Billy Connelly, Sam Heughan, Katie Tunstall and Brian Cox. This year, it was the turn of the much celebrated Scottish TV personality, comedian, and Peace Tartan Ambassador, Gail Porter.

The Parade itself is an astounding sight, with marching bands and clans mustering in the streets close to Bryant Park and the stirring strains of pipes and drums resounding among the high-rises.  With a flourish the Grand Marshall and their entourage set off, leading waves of pipe bands, highland dancers, Scotties and Westies, and phalanxes of proud Clan members (next year you might even spot ‘Nessie’ or some Kilted Yoga contortionists), all striding north up 6th Avenue, while throngs of tourists and proud New Yorkers line the streets, cheering and applauding from behind the barriers that line both sides of ‘Avenue of the Americas’.

This major celebration welcomes kilt clad folk, and lovers of all things Scots from around the world: Canadians, Americans, Australians, New Zealanders and of course the Scots themselves, including shield wielding, armour clad Vikings from the remote Shetland Islands.

At the Parade’s end, the participants reluctantly disperse, only to continue the celebrations at various venues and events.  The official Post-Parade Party is a joyous, raucous affair, held at Sony Hall on 46th street. It features a variety of performers, which this year included The Highland Divas (who were guest performers at The Edinburgh Tattoo last year), an amazing dance band, Whisky Kiss, and Gleadhraich, a fantastic Celtic Rock group direct from Dundee, Scotland.

This is my eighth year participating in New York’s ‘Tartan Week’.  I would strongly suggest you ‘Get doon’ to Alphabet City next April for Tartan Week 2024 and get swept up in the mad Scot's Hoopla of New York City’s own Scottish Hoolie.

For more information: https://www.nyctartanweek.org/