THE TRANSATLANTIC MAGAZINE
THE TRANSATLANTIC MAGAZINE
Scotland’s links with the United States are being celebrated now more than ever. In 1998 the Senate declared a special day, National Tartan Day, to officially recognize the “outstanding achievements and contributions made by Scottish Americans to the United States.” In New York, this has grown sevenfold into NYC Tartan Week, an annual celebration of Scottish culture and heritage
This year it will run from Wednesday, April 2 until Sunday, April 6. The week’s flagship event is the NYC Tartan Day Parade, and this year’s Tartan Day Parade Grand Marshal will be Alan Cumming. The award-winning Scottish actor will lead over 4,000 marchers including over 1,500 bagpipers, Highland dancers, Scottish clan members, Celtic Canines and more up Sixth Avenue between 44th St. & 55th St. on Saturday, April 5, 2025 from 2pm to 4pm.
Alan Cumming, two time Grand Marshal
Alan Cumming is one of only two Grand Marshals to make a repeat appearance at the Parade, having first led it in 2009. He said, “As a Scottish American there can be no greater honor to be back as Grand Marshal for the Tartan Day Parade in New York City, and especially as this year is my first as Artistic Director of Pitlochry Festival Theatre – another huge Scottish honor that I hold dear. I promise to be faithful and to dress up for the occasion!” For the parade he will wear a custom kilt designed by 21st Century Kilts and a jacket designed by Geoffrey Tailor & Kilt Maker.
Previous NYC Tartan Day Parade Grand Marshals include actor Dougray Scott (2024), TV personality Gail Porter (2023), actor Karen Gillan (2022), actor Brian Cox (2020, 2012), comedian Sir Billy Connolly (2019) and musician KT Tunstall.
“We are delighted to welcome back Alan Cumming to our NYC Tartan Week celebrations,” said Kyle Dawson, President of the National Tartan Day New York Committee. “Cumming has long been at the cutting edge of Scottish culture and has blazed a trail for Scotland’s wealth of creativity and innovation in the United States. We’re proud to see him return to lead the NYC Tartan Day Parade.”
A week of events
Other events, held throughout Manhattan, include a Pre-Parade Ceilidh at The View at The Battery; Scotland’s Hoolie in New York at Carnegie Hall, Tartan Day Observance; Pipes and Drums; and Scotland on the Fountain Terrace at Bryant Park which features performances including free concerts and readings from the Declaration of Arbroath, presented by The American-Scottish Foundation. There’s a Kirkin o’ the Tartan service and brunch at Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church; a Mòd (Gaelic song competition) and the much-anticipated Post Parade Party featuring live Scottish music. For a full list of events and times Click Here
If you’re in New York, why not go along for the Celtic buzz? You don’t have to be Scottish – or even from Scottish stock – to enjoy it.