Tartan Takeover

By Heather Quist -

Tartan Week has begun in New York City

On Saturday afternoon and evening we had our first official event, the “Tartan Takeover” at the St. Andrews Restaurant & Pub.

It was a brilliant night, and the crowd had a lot of fun, with singing by Margaret of the Highland Divas (special guest Cheryl Barnes) and dancing by the Shot of Scotch Highland dancers. Thank you to our host, the St. Andrew’s Society of the State of New York!

On Monday night the American-Scottish Foundation had their first event, too. We heard an engaging talk by architect John Kinnear about the Scottish roots of NYC – very appropriate! – followed by a reception that gave us all a chance to chat.

That was at the Central Park Arsenal, overlooking the zoo, where there was definitely a feeling of spring in the air.

Right now we’re looking at a lot of rain (how Scottish!), so the annual Tartan Day Commemoration that we usually hold at noon on April 6 at Bryant Park is postponed until Saturday, April 8, when we have lots of pipe bands playing just before the parade.

Grand Marshal Tommy Flanagan will be there, reading some lines from the Treaty of Arbroath – “It is in truth not for glory, nor riches, nor honours that we are fighting, but for freedom alone…”

Get ready to cheer!

To keep up with all that’s happening, check out the official website, nyctartanweek.org and the Facebook and Twitter pages.