Transatlantic celebration

Roddy Martine attended the festivities of tartan week in the US, as thousands of Americans celebrated their Scottish links

Given that in centuries past Ellis Island was the first sight most Scottish immigrants had of their new American homeland, it was entirely appropriate for New York to host USA National Tartan Day's most spectacular event to date, the march of between 6,000 and 10,000 kilted pipers and drummers up 6th Avenue on 6th April 2002.

At the same time there was a flurry of other activities taking place to complement it, and not just in New York. Across America, Tartan Day, now in its fourth year, has become an important opportunity for American Scots to celebrate their origins and heritage. Coast to coast, from Charlotte, North Carolina, to San Francisco, the fiddlers, harpers, pipers and dancers were out in force. USA Tartan Day has become a popular calendar fixture, revelling in its success.

On Ellis Island, the National Museum of Scotland's Home and Away exhibition focussed attention on the emigrant Scottish ancestors of Americans. Opened by National Museums of Scotland chairman Lord Wilson of Tillyorn, the Save Ellis Island committee was fronted by Robert Currie, Commander of the Clan Gunn Society of America. On display was an Emigrant's Kist containing the few treasures that would have been packed by the brave souls who, over 300 years ago, crossed the Atlantic to find a better life.

Pipers and drummers from 26 countries, and all 50 American states, took part in the Manhattan parade, led by New York Mayor Michael Bloomburg, film star Sir Sean Connery, and Scotland's First Mini...

To read the rest of this article you can do any of the following.

• By : Roddy Martine
• In : Events
• Issue : 3
• Page : 10
• Words : 725