- Apr 06 2024
- Expired!
2024 NYC Tartan Day Parade
Saturday, April 6, 2024
Beginning at 2:00 pm
Sixth Avenue between 44th and 55th Street
Featuring over 1500 Bagpipers, Highland Dancers, Scottish Clan Members and more!
This year’s Grand Marshal is Dougray Scott
“If you have an affinity for Scotland and its people, consider attending the Tartan Day Parade in New York City. This lively and festive event pays tribute to Scottish-Americans who have left their mark on this nation. Originating in 1999 with just two pipe bands, the parade has now blossomed into a grand affair, featuring thousands of marchers from diverse Scottish-American backgrounds. Expect to witness bagpipers, Highland dancers, clan associations, and even various Scottish dog breeds. Notably, the parade boasts a Grand Marshal—always a distinguished figure hailing from Scotland or with Scottish roots.
But the festivities don’t end there! NYC Tartan Week extends beyond the parade, offering an entire week of captivating events that celebrate Scottish heritage and culture in America. Attend lectures, concerts, exhibitions, and other activities to delve deeper into Scotland’s rich history, music, and art. The National Tartan Day New York Committee, a commendable organization representing various Scottish-American groups, diligently ensures that the Scottish spirit thrives across the Atlantic.
Following is this year’s official press release:
February 15, 2024 (New York, NY) – NYC Tartan Week, the largest annual Scottish cultural gathering in NYC, announces the 2024 NYC Tartan Day Parade 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 recognize the “outstanding achievements and contributions made by Scottish Americans to the United States,” Dougray leads 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 recognized 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 joins the roster of acclaimed NYC Tartan Day Parade Grand Marshals including TV personality Gail Porter (2023); actor Karen Gillan (2022); actor Brian Cox (2020, 2012); comedian Sir Billy Connolly (2019); musician KT Tunstall (2018); actor Tommy Flanagan (2018); actor Sam Heughan (2016); and more. For a full list of Grand Marshals, click here.
The NYC Tartan Day Parade is the flagship event of NYC Tartan Week, held this year from Monday, April 1 – Sunday, April 7 with events throughout Manhattan and Brooklyn. Highlights include the second annual NYC Tartan Week Mòd – the Gaelic song competition hosted once again by BBC Alba’s SpeakGaelic presenter, Joy Dunlop. The event, presented in partnership with the New York Caledonian Club, includes Gaelic language and music workshops culminating in a prestigious singing competition on Thursday, April 4 at 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. at The Tailor Public House.
“I’m thrilled to be returning to NYC to host the second NYC Tartan Week Mòd,” said Joy Dunlop. “Our inaugural Mòd was such a positive of Gaelic language and culture and we look forward to welcoming friends old and new to this year’s event. It’s so important to have Scottish Gaelic represented, not only at the Mòd, but at subsequent events throughout the week and I think that it truly brings something extra special to the NYC Tartan Week programming.”
The annual Pre-Parade Ceilidh returns, presented by the New York Caledonian Club on Friday, April 5 at 6:30 p.m. at The View at The Battery, The American-Scottish Foundation hosts Tartan Week on the Fountain Terrace with multiple events including free concerts and readings from the Declaration of Arbroath from Friday, April 5 – Sunday, April 7 at Bryant Park, the St. Andrew’s Society presents its annual Kirkin o’ the Tartan service and brunch on Saturday, April 6 at 10:00 a.m. at The Brick Presbyterian Church, and the highly-anticipated Post Parade Party featuring the Seán Heely band and the Glengarry Bhoys kicks off after the parade on Saturday, April 6 at 4:00 p.m. at Sony Hall. For a full list of events, click here.
The 2024 NYC Tartan Week events are organized by the National Tartan Day New York Committee and made possible with support from the Scottish Government, Visit Scotland, ScotlandShop, The Tailor Public House, Belhaven, Isle of Harris Gin, Walkers Shortbread, WeeBox, Compliant Global, and ImpEx Beverages, who will be featuring whiskies from Ardnamurchan, GlenAllachie, Isle of Raasay, Kilchoman, and Nc’nean Distilleries at the Post Parade Party.