;
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.
___________
*The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Tartan, by Iain Zaczek and Charles Phillips, Lorenze Books, London, 2004.
National Tartan Day Society of Washington
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 |
|
| 2008 | |
January St. Andrews Society Burns Night - Seattle Tacoma Scots Pipe Band Burns Night - Fife |
February Clan Gordon Pipe Band Tartan Ball - Puyallup Gung Haggis Fat Choy - Seattle |
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 |
[Home] [ Tartan Day ] [ Membership ] [ Games] [ Clans & Names ] [ Tartans ] [ History ] [ Pipe Bands ] [ Photos ] [ Contact Us ] [ Links ]