Tartan Day Events Around the World
Tartan Day Ceremony at the Alamo - Picture Courtesy of James David Calhoun
Introduction
In 1998 the US Senate designated 6 April each year as Tartan Day "in recognition of the monumental achievements and invaluable contributions made by Scottish Americans." Previously, in some parts of the US, and in other parts of the world (notably Canada where a Tartan Day was already in place) special events had been held to celebrate this day. But the Senate resolution has provided a further impetus and a growing number of organisations and individuals are having their own local festivities. So that these events can gain further publicity within the world-wide Scottish community, and to allow as many people as possible to participate, the details of a number of these celebrations are listed below. So if there is a Tartan Day function in your area, come along and join the other folk who have a pride in Scotland who will be there!Thanks are due to the many people who have contributed to this listing. If you know of an event in your part of the world, send an e-mail to Scottie> with the details.
List of Locations
You can browse through the events listed below or click on the index to jump to a particular location.
Aberdeen Scotland
The main feature of the Tartan Day Aberdeen event on Saturday 4th August 2007 is a massed pipe band parade along Union Street. Two Scottish-themed open-air concerts on the evening before as well as Tartan day itself in Union Terrace Gardens are also in the frame. See also Aberdeen City Council Web site.Adelaide, South Australia
Tartan Day will be celebrated in Adelaide on Saturday 28th by the Port Adelaide Caledonian Society with a Tartan Night featuring the their choir and Highland dancers. Shared Basket Supper and BYO drinks.Aiken, SC
On Saturday, 7 April, the St Andrews Society of Aiken is lining the window of the Curiosity Shop in the town with tartan banners representing the Scottish clans. The group is settting up booths with information on the Society, genealogy and the upcoming Highland Games. Bagpiper David Nicholas will keep everyone in a Celtic frame of mind throughout the day. And plates of shortbread, gingerbread and hot tea are being set up outside, as are plates of sweets inside. At noon, a Scottish dancing demonstration is being given.Akron, OH
The Scottish American Society located in Northeast Ohio, which usually meets at the Akron Public Library, will hold a special Tartan Day event at Blair House, 255 North Portage Path, Akron on April 12th, 2008, 1:30pm - 5:00pm. Covered Dish + $1 per person. For more information e-mail Margaret or Jim Frost or view the Scottish American Society Web site.Albany, OR
The 17th Oregon Scottish Heritage Festival will be held on Saturday April 8th, 2007 at Linn County Fairgrounds & Expo Center, Albany. Highland dance demonstrations, bagpipes throughout the day, Scottish family and clan tables, goods from and about Scotland and Mary's Kitchen provides a wide selection of traditional Scottish Foods. See Oregon Scottish Heritage Festival Web site for further details.Albuquerque, NM
Weck's Restaurants at the Osuna and Louisiana locations in Albuquerque will be providing placemats for customers April 6th. The placemats will have notable Scots and Scottish Americans and their contributions. Other historical facts the public should know will be printed on the placemats as well. A special program will also be held at the State Capital in Santa Fe. Contact newmexicotartan@juno.com for more details.Arbroath, Scotland
The historic town of Arbroath, birthplace of the famous Declaration of Arbroath of 1320 is at the heart of Scotland's Tartan Day celebrations. The Arbroath Abbey Pageant Society will on the 6th April (1pm) with a colourful medieval procession, complete with King Robert the Bruce on horseback, up the town's historic High Street to the Abbey. The ancient abbey will then form the backdrop to the premiere of "Still Digging!" a re-enactment of the Signing of the Declaration of Arbroath upon the 6th April 1320. All events are free. See also Arbroath Pageant.Arkansas
They've been celebrating Tartan Day in Arkansas, just as long as their Canadian kin have done. In 1997, a year before the U.S.Senate Resolution was introduced, Arkansas' governor made a Proclamation on April 6th.
This year there are several communities across the state making their own proclamations on the 6th of April with three separate Festivals & Games going on. Each event is a continued celebration of Scottish heritage and traditions.Auckland, New Zealand
The Scottish Clans Association - Auckland District Incorporated, celebrate Tartan Day on the nearest Sunday to the 1st. of July each year. In 2008, that the event is on 29 June. See www.scottishclans.co.nz.Austin, TX
There will be a State of Texas ceremony in the Capitol Rotunda, from 11am to 2pm on April 6th, with a piper playing and Scottish dancers in honour of Tartan Day. See also Texas Scottish Heritage Society.Battle Creek, MI
The Scottish Society of SW Michigan is holding a Tartan Day celebration at Springbrook Golf Club, 1600 Avenue A, Springfield between 3:00 pm and 6pm. They'll have a piper and as many members as can wearing tartan. Anyone in the area will be given a "Guid Scottish Welcome".Belpre, OH
The small city of Belpre, Ohio, is tucked in southeastern Ohio, right on the West Virginia border. They are holding their third annual Tartan Day celebration from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., on Saturday, April 5 at the Belpre Farmers Castle Museum, Ridge Street. The event will feature Scottish pipers and drummers, Scottish food, chlidren's storytelling, and games, history and genealogy information. Local author Pamela Douglas Brust will be there signing her Scottish-themed book "Legacies of the Soul," with a portion of the proceeds donated to Tartan Day and the museum. Belpre's mayor and town council have declared the day "Tartan Day" so everyone is encouraged to wear their plaid and come and join in.Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
The Australian Scottish Community in Brisbane, Queensland are organising their Tartan Day parade on 6th July 2008. There is a full programme of massed pipe bands in the grounds at the Cultural Forecourt, Southbank in Brisbane. Entertainment includes Scottish Country Dancers, Scotch on the Rocks Band, Gaelic Dream Dancers, Highland cattle, Scottie dogs, Celtic display, Scottish genealogy, Scottish cars and a "Find Your Tartan" stall. See the Australian Scottish Community Web Site or contact the Vice-President of the organisation.Bristol PA
The Tartan Day Celebration in Bristol, PA will begin on Sunday April 1st at 1:00 PM, at the Celtic Cross Monument in Lions Park for official recognition by the county commissioner. The event then moves to Grace Episcopal Church, Hulmeville, PA, for refreshments and entertainment. All welcome!Buenos Aires, Argentina
Buenos Aires, Argentina Tartan Day Parade 2008 will take place on Sunday 6 April at 3 p.m. starting from the Yacht Club Puerto Madero at the corner of Olga Cossettini and Victoria Ocampo Streets and marching around Dock 4 for 16 blocks. All Scots and their friends are invited to participate displaying something with tartan. The opening celebrations will take place on the esplanade in front of the club and will include the installations of the Grand Marshal, the Queen of the parade and the Key Bearer of the symbolic key to the gate of Arbroath's Abbey and will continue with the Bussing and Casting of the Colours of the City of Buenos Aires and a call to the Gathering of the Clans displaying the Crann Tara. The Buenos Aires Scottish Guard and the Highland Thistle pipe band will lead the parade and a ceremony will take place with the participation of descendants of the Scottish settlers of 1825 who arrived on the ship "Symmetry" at this same port. The participants will remember their cultural heritage and the contributions of Scots and Scots-Argentines to the history and development of Argentina. At the end of the march pipers will entertain the public and Scottish Country music will be played for the people to dance on the esplanade. The event will be closed with the traditional Highland Toast. For more information, see www.scotlandinargentina.com.ar/indexeningles.htm.Cape Cod, MA
The Scots on Cape Cod are holding a Tartan Day event on 5 April from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm at the Harwich Community Center, 100 Oak Street. Piping, dancing, historic characters - and scrumptious goodies! See the Scots on Cape Cod Highland Light Scottish Society web site.Cape Coral, FL
The 5th Annual Tartan Day Ceilidh, Cape Coral Yacht Club, Cape Coral, Florida, takes place on Saturday, April 7 from 7:00 PM to 10:30 PM. Sponsored by Lee County Pipes & Drums (Southwest Florida's premier bagpipe band) with music also by The Wyndbreakers (Florida's famous Celtic band) and performance by Celtic Spirit ( Scottish clogging). Tickets may be purchased or more information may be obtained by calling 239-542-1859 or E-Mail ReesmanJM@aol.com for additional information.Carnoustie, Angus, Scotland
On Friday 4 April there will be a Gala Dinner at Carnoustie Golf Hotel, Angus. Speakers for the event include William J Sim, former President of Pepco Holdings Inc, one of the largest US utility companies and a Global Scot and Rt Hon. John Swinney, MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth. The compere is well-known TV sports presenter Dougie Donnelly See Scotland's Tartan Day.Charleston, SC
The Scottish Society of Charleston, SC will celebrate Tartan Day April 6 beginning at 6:30 PM at the Blind Tiger Pub on Broad St. Charleston, SC. Music by CD - unless some Drummers and Pipers come along! Contact Carl Jennings for more information.Charleston, WV
There will be a Kirkin'o'Tartans at the Kanawha United Presbyterian Church in Charleston, West Virginia on March 30, 2008.
The Scottish Heritage Society of Charleston> will hold a Highlander Tartan Ball in Charleston, West Virginia on April 19, 2008. Contact their Web site for details.Chicago, IL
There are a series of Tartan Day-related events in Chicago:Join the Illinois St Andrew Society for Tartan Week Pub Crawl on Saturday, March 29, 2008 from 5:30 pm to 11:30 pm at Roscoe Village.
On March 29 the luncheon of the Scottish Business Forum of The Illinois Saint Andrew Society and The Canadian Club of Chicago will have a presentation by Professor Anthony Jones, CBE, President of the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and Co-CEO of the Art Institute. Venue is Gorton Community Center, 400 East Illinois Road, Lake Forest, Illinois, 11.30am.
On Tuesday, 1 April 2008, from 5.30pm to 7.30pm, the Scottish Business Forum will meet at the Union League Club, West Jackson Boulevard for cocktails and a presentation by the Lord Provost of Glasgow, Councillor Bob Winter.
There is an inaugural event by the Scottish Law Society on Monday, April 7, 2008 at the Offices of Baker & McKenzie, 130 East Randolph Drive, Chicago with a presentation of William J. Bauer International Justice Award and Continuing Legal Education (CLE) Seminars.Cincinnati, OH
he Cincinnati Caledonian Pipes & Drums will be hosting their Tartan Day Ceilidh on April 12th, 2008, 5.30pm-10.30pm at Hartwell Center, Caldwell road. Haggis eating contest, live entertainment, Scottish food and drink. See Cincinnati Caledonian Pipes & Drums for more information and tickets.Columbia, SC
This year the S.C. Statewide Tartan Fest Committee is celebrating Tartan Fest on Saturday, April 14 at the South Carolina State Museum at 301 Gervais Street in downtown Columbia, South Carolina. Dedication Ceremonies begin at 11:00 AM on the front steps. Closing ceremonies are at 4:30 PM. In between there will be a host of events including a display of tartans and clan tables, vendors of Scottish Merchandise, a Scottish Fashion Show and Highland Games and other activities for children on the lawn at the front of the museum. For more information see TartanFest Web site or e-mail the publicity committee at TartanFest@aol.com.Corpus Christi, TX
Celtic Menagerie will be dancing in honor of Tartan Day at Texas A&M University. See also Texas Tartan Day.Cuyahoga Valley, OH
The Celtic Club is sponsoring the Fifth Annual Cuyahoga Valley Tartan Day on Saturday, April 14, 2007 from 6pm to 9pm at Montrose Zion United Methodist Church at 565 N. Cleveland-Massillon Rd. in Bath, Ohio. It features entertainment by the Akron and District Pipes and Drums, The Mickeys, the McConnell Scottish Dancers and and the Scottish band, MacKay's Highlanders. There will be a harp workshop and Scottish food and Scottish vendors will have Scottish clothing, jewelry, artwork, etc. for sale. The Celtic Club will be awarding a scholarship to the 2007 Ohio Scottish Arts School in Oberlin, Ohio to a member of the Akron and District Pipes and Drums. For further information E-mail thecelticclubofohio@yahoo.com.Dallas, TX
"A Scottish Ceilidh" will be presented by The Scottish Society of Dallas on Sunday, April 5th, from 1:00pm until 5:00pm at the Winfrey Point House, White Rock Lake. The afternoon event will be filled with the sounds of bagpipes, drums and Celtic music; demonstrations of Highland dancing; traditional Scottish country dancing; and more. Representatives of various Scottish clans will be on hand to share with you something of their clan customs and heritage. See also Texas Tartan Day.
On April 11th, Frisco Roughriders are recognizing Scottish Heritage at their game in a suburb of Dallas again this year – with piper, Jimmie Mitchell leading everyone in the 7th inning stretch! Pre Party at Lochrann's 4:30-6:30pmDenver, CO
Colorado was the second state to designate a State Tartan and and further details of their Tartan Day events can be found at the Colorado Tartan Day website. This year's celebrations take place on Saturday, April 5th, at Hyland Hills Golf Course 96th and Sheridan (9620 Sheridan Blvd.), Westminster, Colorado. Events include a Kilted Golf Tournament, malt whisky tasting, Mini Race Cars, Education Displays & Talks, Indoor Solo Piping Contest, Highland Tea in the beautiful Garden Room, Massed Bands and Individual Band performances, along with Highland Dancing, March of the Clans, and special guests.Detroit, MI
The St. Andrew's Society of Detroit is presenting its Annual Tartan Day Ceilidh Celebration on Saturday, April 5 from 6:00PM to 11:00PM at Monaghan Knight of Columbus, 19801 Farmington Road (Between 7 and 8 Mile Roads), Livonia, MI. The event is open to the public and entertainment includes the St. Andrew's Pipe Band, Highland Dancers, Scottish Country Dancers, Raggle Taggle Band. A Fish and Chips Buffet Dinner will be served at 6.30 PM. Cash Bar. Seating is limited to 300 and all tickets must be ordered in advance. For more information, see the St. Andrew's Society of Detroit Web site or contact Franklin Dohanyos.Dunedin, FL
Sister city to Stirling, Scotland is celebrating the 37th Annual Dunedin Highland Games & Festival on Saturday, April 5, 2008 with a Military Tattoo at Dunedin High School Stadium, 1651 Pinehurst Road, Dunedin, Florida. See their Web Site for more information.Ellis Island, NY
On Sunday, April 6, 2007 Ellis Island Immigration Museum will observe National Tartan Day with a screening of "A New Way to a New World" from the critically-acclaimed "Island Tapes" program, a multi-media experience masterminded by the innovative Scottish guitarist David Allison, combining vintage silent movies from Scotland's film vaults, accompanied by live music and Gaelic verse. Also "The Crafter's Song", the first documentary film on Tartan Day, narrated by Academy Award-winning actor Cliff Robertson. Information will also be distributed on travel and tourism from VisitScotland as well as Homecoming 2009 and The Gathering 2009. For further information on Tartan Day on Ellis Island, visit Clan Currie Web site.Franklin, NC
The Friends of the Scottish Tartans Museum in Franklin will be celebrating Tartan Day on April 5 with a homemade Scottish luncheon open to the public from 11:00am to 1:00pm.Fredericksburg, VA
The Scottish Society of Fredericksburg, VA will hold a ceremony celebrating Tartan Day on Sunday April 6 at the Hugh Mercer Apothecary Shoppe in Old Town, Fredericksburg from 12:00 noon until 4:00PM. Pipers will play, the Declaration of Arbroath will be read, stories will be told and exhibits of Scottish history will be displayed including tartans, books, weapons, maps and Clan information. Hugh Mercer came to the States after Culloden and served in the Indian wars before opening his medical practice in Fredericksburg. He was one of George Washington's most trusted generals during the American War of Independence but was bayoneted to death at the Battle of Brandywine. Tartan Day is celebrated at the Apothecary Shoppe each April 6.Fresno, CA
The local Scots and their Celtic cousins will observe Tartan Day on Friday, 6th April with the Fresno Grizzlies, at Chukchansi Stadium, with all the related tartan-wear and bagpipers. Guaranteed entertaining and colorful!Halifax, Nova Scotia
On April 6, 1987, the members of the Nova Scotia House of Assembly became the first government body in the world to proclaim Tartan Day. Every Tartan Day the Clans of Nova Scotia hold a rally at the Provincial Legislature, in Halifax with pipers, Gaelic singing, Kilted Choir, dancers and reading of Scottish poems followed by a luncheon. The event is open to the public and this year is on Friday, 4th April. This is followed by a dinner in the evening sponsored by the Clan Stewart Association of Nova Scotia.
Tartan Day events also form part of the International Gathering of the Clans in Nova Scotia. On Saturday July 12th the Halifax Highland Games will take place on the Garrison Grounds. See Halifax Highland Games Web site for more information.Helena, MT
They are planning to kick-off the observance of April 5th with a fun-filled Saturday evening at several venues in downtown Helena, featuring traditional music, contests, prizes, kinship and, of course, an eye-catching display of tartan! Then, at sunrise on Sunday, April 6th, pipers will begin a “Calling o’ the Clans”, in what promises to be a unique and moving use of the Great Highland Bagpipes and Drums. Later, there will be a Display of Tartans at the Salvation Army Chapel, where a “Kirkin’ o’ the Tartans” service will take place to bless clan and district tartans, and honor the memory and continuing service of the Scottish-American community. This will be followed by a Festival of Celtic Culture, featuring performances, demonstrations, activities, informational booths, vendors, food, drink and just fun for all ages. For mail information, contact Mark Earnhardt at waywander@bresnan.net.Houston, TX
On April 11th, Tartan Day activities include a special celebration at Houston City Hall on Bagby with a proclamation by Mayor White, performances of dance and bagpipes, and some very special guest appearances! This will all be happening over the lunch hour (beginning about 10am until 1pm) in downtown Houston. There will also be a special display in the Houston Visitor’s Center for the month of April, dedicated to Scottish Heritage. Vizi Lange will be hosting a Scottish tasting at Spec’s on April 5th and Carol Robertson is organizing a pub crawl for April 6th. On April 18 - Saint Thomas Episcopal School's Spring Extravaganza is a spectacular showing of Scottish arts and culture by the children of St. Thomas. See also Texas Scottish Heritage SocietyHuntsville, TX
The Sam Houston Memorial Museum in Huntsville, Texas has a permanent Tartan Display featuring the first 40 Scottish Clans of Texas (SCOT). The banners were graciously donated by Houston Kiltmakers (of Scotland). The display also houses the first kilt ever made in the Bluebonnet Tartan - which is the official State Tartan of Texas. See also Texas Tartan DayJefferson City, MO
Jefferson, NC (north of Boone) will have a Tartan Day Festival on Saturday, April 7th, from noon to 6 followed by a reservations only dinner at the Jefferson Land Club. Phone number (336) 982-6405. The band Albannach will be there as well as author, David Ross, who did the 400+ Walk for Wallace.Kilmarnock, Scotland
The Old High Kirk in Kilmarnock is holding a Tartan Day event in the Gateway centre in Kilmarnock on Saturday 5th April from 11am to 2pm. The Rusty Rims Folk group will provide the music while Scottish food will be served throughout the event. The Kilmarnock Pipe band will be playing in the Square and the event will be opned by Hugh McNeillie( also known as the Ayrshire Ploughman) who, accompanied by Ian Muir on accordion, will entertain and co-ordinate the events throughout the celebrations. There will be the usual stalls, bakery, plants, Scottish crafts, Tombola, Bottle stall etc. There will also be a Town Trail walk that day at 10.30 from the Laigh West high church covering the Southern loop in the town and the following week on 12th April another guided tour, same time and place, covering the Northern loop including the Old High Kirk. For more information, contact Margaret Anne Aitchison.Los Angeles, CA
The Seaside Highland Games, in cooperation with the St. Andrew's Society of Los Angeles and California State University Northridge (CSUN), is sponsoring an amazing Tartan Day Exhibit in the University's Oviatt Library for anumber of weeks up to April 7. On Friday, April 4, there will be a fine Tartan Day Show and Program on the Quad in front of the Library for students and guests. University and community leaders will be there and Seaside Athletes will put on demonstrations of Scottish Heavy Athletics and the Granada Hills High School Highlander Marching Band will perform! And...a surprise guest has been invited!! Then, around 12:30 pm, there is a great Buffet Luncheon in the University Club's "Orange Grove Bistro" at the amazingly low price of $10. There is also a Tartan Day Dinner on Sunday, April 6, Tartan Day DAY at the Tam O'Shanter Inn!Melbourne, Australia
The Council of Clans of Victoria on the first Sunday in July have a church parade and service at the Scots Church in Melbourne. A Gaelic Bible, carried by the President of the Scottish Gaelic Society, leads the procession and clanspeople with their respective tartans follow the piper into the church. At the conclusion of the service the procession is piped from the church and clanspeople retire to the church hall for luncheon followed by appropriate Scottish entertainment. The Presbyterian Church is on the corner of Collins and Russell Streets, Melbourne, the service commences at 11am and the luncheon (which is byo) begins at approx 12:30. See Scottish Gaelic Society of Victoria Web site for contact details.Mesa, AZ
Mesa Caledonian Pipe Band will be hosting its Annual National Tartan Day Gala Dinner on March 29, 2008, at the Phoenix Marriott (formerly the Mesa Sheraton) in Mesa, Arizona. The festivities begin with a no-host cocktail hour and silent auction at 5:30 p.m. and dinner at 6:00 p.m. For more information, see the website at www.mcpb.org>.Minneapolis, MN
On April 5, 2008 at 3pm there is a gathering at the foot of the Mall at the State Capitol for the Annual Tartan Day Capitol Celebration. Following the events on the capitol steps we will move the celebration of Kieran's Pub in downtown Minneapolis. Reservations required. See Minnesota Tartan Day Web site.Montrose, Angus, Scotland
There is a Tartan Day Highland Games at House of Dun, Montrose on Saturday, 5 April. See Scotland Tartan Day - Angus.Nashville, NC
The Down East Scottish Society, Inc. will hold a Tartan Day Event Saturday, April 15 at Tarboro, NC. See also Down East Scottish Society for contact details.New Brunswick, Canada
"One More Chorus" is a Celtic Concert taking place on Sunday, April 13 at 8:00 p.m. at Charlotte Street Arts Centre, Charlotte Street, Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada.New York, NY
Tartan Day in New York has become a Tartan Week and details on most of these events are available on the website at Tartan Week and Tartan Week New York.New Zealand
Tartan Day in New Zealand is always the 1st of July. This commemorates the repeal, on 1st July 1782, of the Act proscribing the Tartan. Information of events in New Zealand are available from Ballantrae, P O Box 33581, Takapuna, New Ulster, New Zealand.Oklahoma City, OK
The Oklahoma City area Tartan Day Ceremony will be held at the Medieval Fair at Reeves Park in Norman, Oklahoma at noon on April 4,5 and 6. The United Scottish Clans of Oklahoma will have a booth available at the fair for genealogy and historical information. There will also be other Scottish clan tents at the Medieval Fair.Orlando, FL
The Orlando Scottish Heritage Group Tartan Day Celebration will be held on Saturday, April 5, at 6pm at the American Legion Post 19 @ 2101 Lee Road, Orlando Fl. Cost of $17.50 per person includes buffet dinner and dessert, Haggis presentation, awarding of the Orlando Scottish Heritage Group's 2007 Scottish Arts Scholarships, performances by the award winners, silent auction, and door prizes. Please contact Rae Feldman for advance reservations at 407-894-8716Ottawa, Canada
The Sons of Scotland Pipe Band and Ottawa City Piping College are organising a "Gathering of the Clans" on April 6 at Parliament Hill, Ottawa at 12 noon. After party from 1:30 pm at D'arcy McGee's Irish Pub on Sparks Street....complimentary food, speeches and presentations. The event has even more significance this year as a campaign has been launched to make the Maple Leaf tartan the official tartan of Canada. For more details and contact information, see Sons of Scotland Pipe Band Web site.Pittsburgh, PA
Lots of events in Pittsburgh including:
Tartan Day Celebration at Fellowship Hall, Fox Chapel Presbyterian Church Saturday, April 5, from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm. 6 hours of Scottish Workshops, Crafts, Celtic Musicians, Dancing, Re-enactors, Folklore, Food, and & more!
See the Tartan Day Events Web site and St Andrew's Society of Pittsburgh for details on the above events or contact tartandaypa@earthlink.net.Puyallup, WA
The National Tartan Day Society-Washington State is presenting the Annual Scottish Heritage Festival on Saturday, 29 March in a southern suburb of Seattle at Puyallup Fairgrounds. There will be Scottish Clans, Pipe Bands, Dancers, Musicians and more! The Tartan Day Society will be in attendance and have a table of information to aid visitor with their Tartan Questions. See also National Tartan Day Society-Washington State Web site.Québec, Canada
In 2003, the Québec National Assembly passed an Act recognising that Scottish immigrants first settled in Québec over 400 years ago, making the Scots one of the founding peoples of Québec and that the Scottish community of Québec has significantly contributed to the economic, social and cultural development of the province. The Act also proclaimed Tartan Day to be 6 April in each and every year. Other than the French who constitute the majority of citizens in the province, no other nationality or group of ethic origin has ever received such an honour.Raleigh / Durham / Chapel Hill, NC
The 2009 Triangle Official Tartan Day Celebration will be held Saturday, April 4 at The North Carolina Renaissance Faire at the NC State Fairgrounds in Raleigh, NC. This celebration is endorsed by the NC Tartan Day Committee. See also the Renaissance Faire Web site.Reno, NV
The Nevada Society of Scottish Clans celebrates Tartan Day with a Tartan Day Ceilidh on Saturday, April 5th at 7pm at Studio on 4th located at 432 East 4th St. in Reno. Tickets are $10.00 at the door.Salisbury, England
The Scottish Tattoo 2008 in Salisbury City Hall on Saturday 19 April at 7pm has as its theme "Stuarts. See the Scottish Tattoo Web site for detailsSan Antonio, TX
Tartan Day ceremonies are planned for the afternoon of April 4, 2008, in front of the Alamo in San Antonio, Texas. The event is sponsored each year jointly by Scottish Society of San Antonio and the San Antonio Highland Games Association, with the cooperation of the Daughters of the Republic of Texas. The colorful ceremony, includes participation by pipe and drum corps, local ROTC units, local/state/foreign dignitaries, highland dancers, etc. A tribute to the Scots who fell at the Alamo is read, and proclamations are read from the Mayor, declaring the day to be Tartan Day and the weekend to be Highland Weekend in San Antonio - with a two-day Highland Games complete with heavy athletics and piping competition.San Diego, CA
A mini-festival will be held at the International Cottages, Balboa Park, San Diego on Saturday, April 5 and Sunday April 6, 2008 from noon-4:00 PM, featuring continuous entertainment and displays of Scottish wares. The Scottish Clan and Tartan Information Center will help visitors find their own tartans, and the 42nd Black Watch Highland Society will perform. Admission to the festival is free and open to the public, and traditional Scottish fare will be available for sale.See Tartan Day, San Diego for more.
Sarasota, FL
The Sarasota, Florida area was settled by Scots in 1885 and Americans of Scottish descent are honoured there on National Tartan Day, April 6, 2008. There is the Scottish Highland Games and Festival on March 29th at the Venice, Florida airport with Clan Tents and a Tartan Day tent with information regarding Tartan Day.
The Royal Scottish Academy of Music concert at First Presbyterian Church is on March 30th - 3 pm. Tickets again are available via www.srqboxoffice.com. The concert will also feature the First Brass and the First Presbyterian Choir under the baton of Jack Levick.
On Sunday April 6th there will be a grand Kirkin O'the Tartans at the Church of the Palms on Bee Ridge Rd. in Sarasota, with Tartan banners decorating the church, members of the Scottish organizations and Clans and folks dressed in their kilts and Tartans and a parade of their Tartan flags into the church lead by the Jacobite Pipe band for the two church services one at 9:15 (covered on T.V.) one at 11:00 am. In the church court yard will be the site of 25 + displays of everything Scottish in the area and some National and International Scottish organizations. There will be a free Scottish high tea served after the 11:00 am service featuring a mini pipes and drums concert in the court yard. Contact Barbra Bartz for more information.
There is also a concert slated for April 6th - "Tartan Day with the Jacobites Band' at the Film Society Cinemas at Lakewood Ranch at 3 pm on April 6th. Tickets via www.srqboxoffice.com.South Australia
Tartan Day in Australia is celebrated on 1 July, the day Royal Assent was granted to the Act repealing the Act of Proscription, prohibiting the wearing of any Scottish national dress or the playing of bagpipes. An extended Scottish Heritage Week programme of events from 24 June to July 1 has been organised. For all the details, see Scottish Australian Heritage Council Web site.St Charles, MO
The annual Scottish Heritage "Tartan Day Festival" on pril 4, 5 and 6, 2008 will again turn Main Street and Frontier Park into a tartan waving, kilt swaying, bagpipe playing, rousing celebration. For more details please visit the Missouri Tartan Day Festivities Web site.Stillwater, OK
Stillwater, Oklahoma is having it's third Tartan Day Celebration on Friday, April 11 at the Best Western Motel, as part of their regular Celticmusic session.Tidewater, VA
The Scottish Society of Tidewater is hosting a Tartan Day Day Dinner/Ceilidh on Saturday, 14th April 2007 at Grand Affairs, 2036 Pleasure House Road, Virginia Beach Dinner, Music, Dancing and Socializing. Dress: Tartan Dressy (Kilt or American Wear) Advance tickets only! Orders may be placed by email. Tickets will also be available at the society meetings.The Scottish Studies Society invites you and your guests to the annual Tartan Day Dinner to be held in Casa Loma on Wednesday April 18, 2007. A pre-dinner concert featuring Canadian tenor Peter McCutcheon and Scottish Gaelic mezzo-soprano Cathy Ann MacPhee The annual "Scot of the Year Award" will be presented to Jean Watson from Nova Scotia whose unrelenting efforts have established Tartan Day. See Scottish Studies Foundation Web site.
Tulsa, OK
Tulsa SCOTS is having the Gathering of the Clans monthly meeting on April 7, 2007 at 6pm at St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church 3601 S. Yale, Tulsa OK. They will be having a Tartan Day presentation at the meeting.Utah
There will be a Tartan Day Ball and Banquet is on Saturday Evening - April 18th at Wheeler Farm. See the Web Site for details.Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
The Victoria Joint Scottish Council is sponsoring the annual Kirkin' o' the Tartan on April 6, 2008 at St. Martin-in-the-Fields Anglican Church, Obed Ave. The Council also encourages everyone to wear tartan on April 6. Contact the Secretary via kifeir@shaw.ca. See also the Victoria Joint Scottish Council Web Site>.Wellston, OK
Yukon, OK
Tartan day celebration will be held at the Iron Thistle Festival on the Kirkpatrick Family Farm in Yukon Oklahoma on March 29th, 2008. They have a lovely area and two stages of music and entertainment. See website uscoscots.org.Tartan Day Links
There are a number of other sites providing information on Tartan Day and related events. Here is a selection:
Where else would you like to go in Scotland?
