What They Say in Scotland
Spectacles similar to the Edinburgh tatoo have been seen at various Highland games, where there is usually a pipeband competition. In recent years, however, these have been upstaged by the growing popularity of the Tartan Day celebrations. In just a few years, this event has grown into a genuine phenomenon that threatens to become the most significant date in the Scottish calendar. Like "kirking the tartan," it is a tradition that has developed outside Scotland rather than within it.
The initial impetus came from Canada. In 1987, Nova Scotia held its first Tartan Day as a tribute to the achievements of those of its citizens who had Scottish roots. The event proved a success and there were moves to extend it to other parts of the country. Then in December 1991, at the instigation of the Clans and Scottish Societies of Canada, Ontario followed suit. Soon all the provinces had become involved, with the exception of Quebec and Newfoundland.
It did not take long for a similar momentum to build up south of the
border. In March 1998, the US Senate passed a resolution confirming 6
April as National Tartan Day. The date was chosen because it marked the
anniversary of the Declaration of Arbroath, which was signed on 6 April
1320. In effect, this was Scotland's Declaration of Independence, which
Robert the Bruce and his followers sent to Pope John XXII, asserting their right
to be free of the "yoke of English domination." It ended with the memorable
sentiment: "For it is not for glory, riches or honour that we fight,
but for freedom alone, that which no man of worth yields up, save with his
life."
The Arbroath document holds a particular resonance for all Americans, since
their own Declaration of Independence was modeled on it.
It is significant, too, that nearly half of the signatories on the American
declaration had Scottish roots while, out of the 13 original United States, 9
had governors with Scottish ancestry.
Since its inception, there have been Tartan Day celebrations in Washington,
New York, Boston and Chicago, and it seems certain that other cities will copy
this example. The tone of the festivities is similar to those of St. Patricks Day.
Tartan Day is not celebrated in the same way in Scotland, but politicians have been swift to
recognize its value as a means of creating closer ties across the
Atlantic. In 2003, Sir David Steel commented: "Tartan Day is hugely
important. . . It captures the essence of the special links enjoyed by
Scotland, Canada and America. I have not doubt Tartan day. . .will
reinforce this and help us gain a deeper mutual understanding."*
In 1999, a year after the US Senate resolution, a handful of Scots organized
the first Tartan Day celebration in Washington state. It was a small event
held at Madigan Army Medical Center near Tacoma. Since then the annual
Tartan Day celebration has grown, with increasing public attendance and larger
numbers of clan societies and vendors participating. For the past four
years Tartan Day has been held at the Western Washington Fairgrounds in
Puyallup.
The National Tartan Day Society of Washington carries the
concept farther. Instead of a single Tartan Day celebration we promote
Scottish heritage and culture all through the year. This is primarily done
by staffing a tent at all Washington state Highland games where we assist people
in finding their clan affiliation, identifying their tartans, and answering
questions related to Scotland and its culture. Additionally, we assist the
people by either directing them to their clan if a clan representative is at
that Highland games or to where they can connect with their clan, either
on the Internet or by a local name, address and telephone number.
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*The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Tartan, by Iain Zaczek and Charles Phillips, Lorenze Books, London, 2004.
National Tartan Day Society of Washington
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In 1999, a year after the US Senate resolution, a handful of American Scots organized the first Tartan Day celebration
in Washington state. It was a small event held at Madigan Army Medical Center near Tacoma. Since then the annual
Tartan Day celebration has grown, with increasing public attendance and larger numbers of clan societies and vendors
participating. For the past four years Tartan Day has been held at the Western Washington Fairgrounds in Puyallup.
The National Tartan Day Society of Washington carries the basic concept of Tartan Day farther. Instead of a single Tartan Day celebration we promote Scottish heritage and culture all through the year. This is primarily done by staffing a tent at all Washington state Highland games where we assist people in finding their clan affiliation, identifying their tartans, and answering questions related to Scotland and its culture. Additionally, we assist people by either directing them to their clan if a clan representative is at that Highland games or to where they can connect with their clan, either on the Internet or by a local point of contact. Besides the Highland Games the Society is very
active in the Washington state Scottish community. Shown below
are activities and events we participated in during 2007.
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2007 |
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January St. Andrews Society Burns Night - Seattle Tacoma Scots Pipe Band Burns Night - Fife |
February Clan Gordon Pipe Band Tartan Ball - Puyallup |
March Celtic Festival - Olympia Massing of the Colors - Fort Lewis |
April Multi-Cultural Event - Lynnwood Tartan Day Scottish Heritage Festival |
June Bellingham Highland Games - Ferndale Scottish Fest - Prosser Tacoma Highland Games - Graham |
July Skagit Valley Highland Games - Mt. Vernon Pacific Northwest Highland Games - Enumclaw |
| August Spokane Highland Games - Spokane Whidbey Island Games - Whidbey Island |
September Kelso Highland Games - Kelso |
| October Clan Donald All Clans Banquet - Federal Way December A Celtic Christmas - Olympia |
November Pacific Northwest Highland Games Association Heather Tartan Ball - Seattle St. Andrews Society Ball - Seattle |
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