We were in NYC April 6, 2019 for our daughter-in-law’s birthday and the Tartan Day Parade. Look who the Grand Marshall was! (If you don’t recognize him, it’s Billy Connolly!)
I am so sorry we missed 2015 when Sean Connery was Grand Marshall
Get ready to don your kilts and play the bagpipes – National Tartan Day is here, and it’s a whirlwind of plaid pleasure! Celebrated in the United States on April 6, this day throws us back to 1320, when Scotland shouted out its independence with the Declaration of Arbroath. This wasn’t just a historical moment for Scots; it set the stage for America’s own break for freedom, with a hefty slice of the Founding Fathers rocking Scottish roots!
Tartan Day Takes Off
Canada kicked off the Tartan Day party in the mid-1980s, flaunting its 15% Scottish bloodline. It’s a day for Scots far and wide to revel in their heritage and remember April 6, 1320, when Scotland declared itself free to rule. The U.S. didn’t want to miss out, so in 1998, thanks to the Coalition of Scottish Americans, National Tartan Day became a thing, tipping its hat to the stellar contributions of Scottish Americans. This plaid-clad festivity has since gone global, popping up from Canada to Argentina, where a surprising 100,000 Scots descendants live. Scotland itself got on the bandwagon in 2004, painting the town tartan and officially joining the celebration.
What’s in a Tartan?
Tartan Day is all about that iconic crisscrossed cloth, a symbol of Scottish clan kinship. No clan tartan? No problem! The day welcomes all with universal tartans like The Black Watch or The Caledonia.
Party Like It’s 1320
Though not a public holiday, Tartan Day is a perfect excuse to sport a kilt and dive into Scottish culture. While Australia opts for a July 1 celebration, the rest of the world sticks to April 6, honoring Scotland’s rich history and vibrant traditions.
How to Rock Tartan Day
– Hit a parade and be dazzled by the kaleidoscope of kilts and the stirring sounds of bagpipes and drums.
– Embrace the kilt life, complete with a sporran – because who needs pockets when you have a stylish Gaelic purse?
– Feast on haggis and black pudding, Scotland’s culinary badges of honor.
Mind-Blowing Scottish Snippets
– Tartans are a clan’s calling card, with each pattern telling a family’s tale. (My dad’s is Kelly)
– The New Year’s anthem “Auld Lang Syne”? Pure Scottish gold, penned by poet Robert Burns.
– Bagpipes may scream Scotland, but they boast ancient Egyptian roots. – Gaelic still echoes in Scotland, a living piece of Celtic heritage. – And yes, Scotland’s national animal is the mythical unicorn, a nod to the nation’s love for legends and lore.
So, whether you’re a Scot by blood or just in spirit, Tartan Day is your passport to a world where history, culture, and myth blend into one fabulous festival. Strap on your tartan, and let’s make some noise!
