Sixth Avenue, New York, USA, April 09 2016 – Thousands of Scots march along Sixth Avenue in New York City during the Rainy 2016 Tartan Day Parade. The parade is the largest Scottish celebration in Manhattan and one of the largest Scottish parades in the world
By Britta Schmitz
NEW YORK, April 10 2016 – New York celebrates the contributions made by Scottish-Americans
to the United States with a big annual parade. The Tartan Day Parade traditionally takes place in
Manhattan after the weekend of National Tartan Day on April 6, a day chosen by the U.S. Senate
in 1998.
„We celebrate Scottish-American heritage and pride, and the continuing bonds of friendship
between our countries,“ Alan L. Bain, President of the National Tartan Day New York Committee,
said in an invitational address to contributors and visitors.
Between 44th and 55th Street the Parade marched up 6th Avenue. Thousands of marchers,
including pipe bands, Scottish clans and families, dancers, Scottish and West Highland White
Terriers and many more attracted visitors from New York City and beyond.
Sixth Avenue, New York, USA, April 09 2016 – Grand Marshal and Outlander Star Sam Heughan march along Sixth Avenue in New York City during the Rainy 2016 Tartan Day Parade. The parade is the largest Scottish celebration in Manhattan and one of the largest Scottish parades in the world
Photo: Luiz Rampelotto/EuropaNewswire
The organizing Committee of the New York Tartan Day Parade appoints famous Scottish-
Americans to represent the Parade as Grand Marshals, among them Sir Sean Connery in 2002.
This year actor Sam Heughan served as the 14th Grand Marshal and lead the 18th Annual New
York Tartan Day Parade on Saturday, April 9.
„As Grand Marshal of the New York Tartan Day Parade 2016, I am honored and proud to serve
the city and its ancestral ties. I love the city, the people, and the vibe. Please join me in toasting all
who live and visit there with a whiskey and a toast,“ Heughan said after his nomination.
Sam Heughan, best known for his role as Highland warrior Jamie Fraser in the popular Starz
television series Outlander, wore Tartan, the famous Scottish kilt pattern. Even though it was a
rainy day in New York City, Heughan had a good time and warmed up with a Scotch.
The 35-year-old actor was born in New Galloway, Scotland and has been starring in Outlander, an
American-British co-production about 18th century Scotland, since 2014. Heughan followed his
Outlander co-star Graham McTavish who served as the Grand Marshal in last year’s Parade.
„Thank you NYC!!! We brought the weather, you brought the tartan… Scottish heritage roots
displayed on a dreich day in New York City!! Thank you so much to everyone, NYPD,
supporters, @barbour @laphroaig and all the bands and dancers that marched,“ Heughan twittered
after the Parade.
Grand Marshal and Outlander Star Sam Heughan march along Sixth Avenue in New York City during the Rainy 2016 Tartan Day Parade. The parade is the largest Scottish celebration in Manhattan and one of the largest Scottish parades in the world
Photo: Luiz Rampelotto/EuropaNewswire
The Tartan Day Parade was first initiated by a small group of Scottish-Americans in 1999 and has
grown to an important event in the New York calendar over the years. The Parade is part of the
Tartan Day celebrations which last for a bit more than a week.
„New York would not be the dynamic global city it is today without the tremendous influence of
Scottish immigrants. … I am delighted to recognize the many important ways that Scottish New
Yorkers continue to shape and strengthen our future. … I applaud the National Tartan Day
Committee and its member organizations – the American-Scottish Foundation, New York
Caledonian Club, the St. Andrew’s Society of the State of New York and the Clan Campbell
Society of North America – for their efforts to reinforce ties between New York and Scotland,
preserve a rich heritage, and enhance the cultural vitality of our great city,“ Mayor Bill de Blasio
said on the advent of National Tartan Day celebrations in Bryant Park.
Source: EuropaNewswire