Tartan Day in the U.S.of A

[Julie]

Our First Minister of our Scottish Assembly,Jack McConnell, has stated that Tartan Day in USA has not been the success it was hoped to be and now it will require a rethink on how it can be marketed.
Can I ask any citizens of USA if they knew about Tartan Day, which was mostly held in New York and if so what was their thoughts on this event.
I am sure the Scottish Executive would welcome ideas from anyone who had thoughts how how this could be better marketed
Julian

[macwilkin]

Our First Minister of our Scottish Assembly,Jack McConnell, has stated that Tartan Day in USA has not been the success it was hoped to be and now it will require a rethink on how it can be marketed.
Can I ask any citizens of USA if they knew about Tartan Day, which was mostly held in New York and if so what was their thoughts on this event.
I am sure the Scottish Executive would welcome ideas from anyone who had thoughts how how this could be better marketed
Julian

There is no problem marketing Tartan Day in the US & Canada; numerous Scottish societies and clubs celebrate across North America on April 6th with parades, balls, ceilidhs, ceremonies, hikes, church services, etc. See:

www.tartanday.org

http://www.tartandaymn.org/

For just two of many examples of how the "Yank-Scots" celebrate it!

Also, many State governors, legislatures, as well as mayors, city councils and county commissions have officially recognized Tartan Day through resolutions, proclamations, etc.

Cheers,

Todd

[beloitpiper]

I had a lot of fun on Tartan Day. There was a big celebration in Milwaukee, hosted by Wisconsin Scottish and the Milwaukee St. Andrew's Society. Sure, Tartan Day is not as popular as, say, St. Patrick's Day, but give it time. This celebration is still young.

A speaker last year gave a very powerful speech on Tartan Day. He told us that if we want Tartan Day to be a big deal, we have to make it a big deal. It is up to us. Wear your kilts, play your pipes, and get the word out that April 6 is a day where Scottish-Americans can be proud of their glorious heritage.

"Every line of strength in American history is a line colored with Scottish blood." -President Woodrow Wilson

[Colin]

Julian, I assume you are speaking of the funding the Scottish government puts into these events to try and promote Scotland as a tourist destination and business option.

I can't speak for the US, and not to take away anything form their tartan day celebrations, but in Canada (which has been doing tartan day longer than the US) I find that it is not as well known. Of course it could be that all the really high profile Tartan day events (fashion shows, parades, etc) have mostly all gone to New York or LA as they are the bigger markets the Scottish government is trying to reach. Given that Canada has a bigger history with Scotland (heck, they basically influenced most of our country. Read Great Scots! by Matthew Shaw), it would be nice to see some of that focus go to Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, Halifax, and even Winnipeg, Calgary, and Vancouver. The markets may not be as big as New York, but when you have a population where 30 something % (I can't be bother to look up the actual number right now ) claim Scottish Heritage, you have an existing market that only needs the spark lit to get them over to Scotland as a tourist. Every person of Scottish heritage I have ever met (and there has been quite a bit) has expressed a desire to visit Scotland.

[Splash_4]

I can't speak for most of the US, just for myself. But until I joined this board, I had never heard of it. I can not recall any big happenings or celebrations in the Atlanta area. Of course, since I don't read the local paper, who knows?

[macwilkin]

I can't speak for most of the US, just for myself. But until I joined this board, I had never heard of it. I can not recall any big happenings or celebrations in the Atlanta area. Of course, since I don't read the local paper, who knows?

Atlanta has a fairly active Scottish community, including the Atlanta St. Andrew's Society, a Burns Club and even a replica of Robert Burns's cottage.

http://www.standrewsatlanta.org/

http://www.cr.nps.gov/nr/travel/atlanta/bur.htm

I have no doubt there are Tartan Day celebrations there -- check wi' the folks at the first link.

T.

[Splash_4]

Atlanta has a fairly active Scottish community, including the Atlanta St. Andrew's Society, a Burns Club and even a replica of Robert Burns's cottage.

http://www.standrewsatlanta.org/

http://www.cr.nps.gov/nr/travel/atlanta/bur.htm

I have no doubt there are Tartan Day celebrations there -- check wi' the folks at the first link.

T.

Thanks for the links.... It is what I was stating earlier, just my ignorance.

[starbkjrus]

I had never heard of Tartan Day until I found this board. This year it was raining a torrent so I did not go to the parade but I did go to hear the pipers at a pub in Alexandria Virgina afterwards. It was jammed with tartan clad celebrants, many of whom HAD gone to the parade.

I have to assume it was not advertised widely in the Washington DC area but the St. Andrew's Society and others had spread the news by word of mouth.

[auld argonian]

It's good that the St. Andrew's Societies have celebrations but I wonder if the average person feels that Tartan Day is limited to members of the Societies.

Love to see a campaign of historical information about the influence of the Scots in the framing of the American Democracy and Scottish Americans of note. It should probably be Tartan MONTH rather than Day.

Best

AA

[beloitpiper]

It's good that the St. Andrew's Societies have celebrations but I wonder if the average person feels that Tartan Day is limited to members of the Societies.

I'm not a member, but that has never deterred me! But I think you're right, some people may be shy about asking whether the celebration is open to the public. As the newly elected President of the Celtic Society at Beloit College, I'm working really hard to create awareness of Tartan Day on campus and throught the town.