A celebration of Scotland’s culture, heritage and global business contribution is taking place in the US this week with Minister John Lamont flying the flag for Scotland at New York’s annual Tartan Week festivities.
The Minister is attending a number of events, culminating in the annual Tartan Day Parade on Saturday [6 April], led by this year’s Grand Marshal, Emmy Award-Winning Scottish actor Dougray Scott.
In celebration of National Tartan Day, a day declared by the U.S. Senate in 1998 to officially recognise the “outstanding achievements and contributions made by Scottish Americans to the United States,” Dougray will lead over 1,500 bagpipers, Highland dancers, Scottish clan members, Celtic Canines, and more in the 26th annual NYC Tartan Day Parade on Saturday, April 6, 2024 at 2:00 p.m. up Sixth Avenue between 44th St. & 55th St.
“We are thrilled to welcome Dougray Scott to our NYC Tartan Week celebrations,” said Kyle Dawson, President of the National Tartan Day New York Committee. “Dougray is an excellent representative of how Scotland and Scottish people contribute so much to the artistic and cultural landscape of the United States, and we are proud to have him at the helm of this year’s NYC Tartan Day Parade.”
Dougray, who is recognised for his roles in Ever After, Deep Impact, and Mission: Impossible 2, will wear a custom weathered Morrison Tartan 16oz Strome kilt in honor of his mother’s Scottish heritage, woven by Lochcarron Weavers and designed by 21st Century Kilts.
“I couldn’t be prouder or happier to have been asked to be the 2024 NYC Tartan Day Parade Grand Marshal,” Dougray said. “And also to be wearing the Morrison tartan, the tartan of my mother’s family. She’ll be looking down from on high with pride in her Scottish heart, God bless her Glaswegian cotton socks! May the chief let his sun shine all the way from Leith to NYC!”
Dougray and Minister Lamont will also be accompanied down Sixth Avenue this year with a troupe from The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo including pipers, dancers and a fiddle player.
Ahead of the Parade, proceedings have already kicked off yesterday (Wednesday) with a UK Government reception to celebrate the very best of Scotland’s produce and culture.
Held at Diageo’s New York HQ in the World Trade centre, guests heard from representatives of The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo and Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Visitors also raised a toast to Scotland’s enduring culture with a dram of Diageo’s famous Johnnie Walker whisky.
UK Government Minister for Scotland John Lamont said:
“Last year I saw Tartan Week for the first time, and was blown away by the passion of those who celebrate the links between Scotland and the US. I want us to strengthen our links even more by promoting our most important exports – whisky, energy and financial services – and our rich culture.
“I look forward to marching down Sixth Avenue with partners from The Edinburgh Royal Military Tattoo, Diageo and the British Consulate – who all do so much to represent the UK and Scotland across the world.”
Jason Barrett, Chief Executive of The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, yesterday said:
“It was fantastic to share our military traditions at last year’s event and we’re delighted to have been invited by the Scotland Office to take part in this year’s Tartan Week celebrations. We have bold ambitions to share our unique and stirring performances with the world and it’s a great opportunity to showcase the talent of the Tattoo’s musicians and dancers. We’re very much looking forward to joining the other extraordinary local and international Scottish organisations at the parade.”
Minister Lamont will also take part in a number of business events run by the UK Government’s Trade and Business Department. That includes a discussion on attracting US investment into the Scottish energy sector, and a reception for Scottish FinTech companies leaders from New York’s financial services sector. The FinTech event will raise Scotland’s profile as a premier location to establish or expand UK operations.
UK Government Minister for Exports Lord Offord said:
“The US is one of Scotland’s most important trading partners, with Scottish companies selling billions of pounds worth of goods and services there every year. Events such as Tartan Week are a great opportunity for us to celebrate and showcase these trading links, especially as we look to deliver greater access to the US economy for British businesses.”
Sandy Begbie, Chief Executive of Scottish Financial Enterprise, yesterday said:
“Scotland’s world-class financial services industry has a proud shared history with the US. In recent years we have seen major investments in Scotland from US financial institutions and we are determined to continue developing these strong links to attract further investment. This will create high-value jobs and support our ambitions of adding £4bn to £7bn to the Scottish economy over the next five years.”
Source: Office of the Secretary of State for Scotland
