Alexandria, Virginia - Christmas Walk 2017

**CollinMacD** · 16th November 17, 08:14 AM

Only a couple of weeks to go and the 47th Annual Scottish Christmas Walk Weekend & Parade
December 1-2, 2017, will be held. My wife and I put this on the top of our Scottish Event calendar every year. Just hoping once again we are blessed with a cool, sunny day. I will march again with the Donald Clan, Mid-Atlantic, and then attend the Donald Clan dinner, which is the best part of the day. This event draws thousands of spectators, and just as many participants, it is so much fun. We arrive very early to attend the St. Andrew's breakfast, then walk down to the parade gathering for the start, all the clans gather and it is so colorful.

I encourage if you are in the area, to consider attending either as participant with your clan, or spectator, you will enjoy all of the events and especially the pipe bands that gather at the parade podium, all the bands play as one massive band, really something to see. Alexandria is the perfect town to hold this event, and everybody runs to Murphy's pub after the parade. Seems like all the immediate streets of downtown Alexandria is full of kilts and pipes.

So especially if you are a member of the Donald Clan, or any other clan, please consider the walk, dress up in you finest Scottish tartans and join the walk.....What a way to start the Christmas Holidays.....hope to see you there. CHEERS....

**duke_19_62** · 16th November 17, 01:55 PM

I'll be there with either Clan Macneill or the Scottish American Military Society. I haven't made up my mind as to which one I'll be marching with yet.

**Geoff Withnell** · 17th November 17, 06:35 AM

My wife Michele and I will be there leading Clan Davidson. This is really a fun event.

**Mael Coluim** · 17th November 17, 08:49 PM

I will be leading the Clan MacCallum Malcolm Society unit at the parade. Any XMarkers who does not have an affiliated clan to march with is welcome to join us. Send me a PM of your interest .

**Geoff Withnell** · 19th November 17, 07:17 PM

Originally Posted by Mael Coluim

I will be leading the Clan MacCallum Malcolm Society unit at the parade. Any XMarkers who does not have an affiliated clan to march with is welcome to join us. Send me a PM of your interest .

Before I tracked down my membership in Clan Davidson, we walked with MacCallum Malcolm, and a more welcoming group you will not find.

**MacEanruig** · 20th November 17, 02:11 PM

I plan to attend. I will be with Clan Henderson. I am looking forward to saying hello to you all.

**CollinMacD** · 22nd November 17, 08:35 AM

Long range weather looks excellent, sunny and in the 40's. Just love this event, wife and I have a great time... Hope you can attend....cheers.

**kingandrew** · 23rd November 17, 09:07 AM

I lived in Alexandria back in 2001-2003. I remember stumbling upon this event completely unawares and really enjoying seeing all the fabulous kilts and accessories, hearing the pipe bands, and the whole mood of the event.

At that time, I had not encountered more than a few people who owned kilts. So it was great to see Highland attire "in the flesh," rather than in a book illustration. In those days my finances were quite tight, and I recall visiting a tartan shop on King Street in Alexandria, marveling at both the craftsmanship and sticker prices on the sporrans and other kilt-related items.

I also remember there was a Scottish-themed restaurant on King Street at the time, called "Scotland Yard." It was well out of my price range then.

I will be unable to attend the event this year, as I am currently working in Beijing. I did stop by my Chinese tailor tonight for a fitting on my new brown tweed Argyll jacket and waistcoat, which should be ready for me to wear to work on St. Andrew's Day next week (which arrives 13 hours earlier in Beijing than in Alexandria).

If you are anywhere near the DC area, it is worth checking out the Scottish Walk.

Andrew

**CollinMacD** · 24th November 17, 06:58 AM

So nice to read about so many who have attended this event. I hope more read these posts and travel to Alexandria and participate, or view the event....All day Old Towne goes to the Scottish. Hope to see all of you there....

Here is the Event information:

December 2nd, Saturday, Parade step off at 11:00 AM, Old Town, Alexandria, VA.

Please come join us, either participate or spectate, but be part of the Christmas Walk.

For the 47th consecutive year, the Scottish Christmas Walk Parade will be in Alexandria, VA. Enjoy marching units filled with the magnificent tartans of Scottish Clans, the stirring sound of Scottish bagpipes and drums, Scottish dancers, reenactment groups, Scottie dogs, dignitaries, classic cars, Santa Claus, and much more. The parade participants start staging around 10:00 AM, staging for step off at St. Asaph and Wolfe Streets, organized by Clans, bands, and others. Parade weaves through the streets of Old Town, and concludes at Market Square with a massed band concert in the front of the reviewing stand, near the City Hall. The parade will take place rain or shine.

**Orvis** · 27th November 17, 06:01 PM

Originally Posted by kingandrew

I lived in Alexandria back in 2001-2003. I remember stumbling upon this event completely unawares and really enjoying seeing all the fabulous kilts and accessories, hearing the pipe bands, and the whole mood of the event.

At that time, I had not encountered more than a few people who owned kilts. So it was great to see Highland attire "in the flesh," rather than in a book illustration. In those days my finances were quite tight, and I recall visiting a tartan shop on King Street in Alexandria, marveling at both the craftsmanship and sticker prices on the sporrans and other kilt-related items.

I also remember there was a Scottish-themed restaurant on King Street at the time, called "Scotland Yard." It was well out of my price range then.

I will be unable to attend the event this year, as I am currently working in Beijing. I did stop by my Chinese tailor tonight for a fitting on my new brown tweed Argyll jacket and waistcoat, which should be ready for me to wear to work on St. Andrew's Day next week (which arrives 13 hours earlier in Beijing than in Alexandria).

If you are anywhere near the DC area, it is worth checking out the Scottish Walk.

Andrew

I've been participating in Alexndria's Scottish Walk since about 1989, when my living history group at the time (18th c. British Army Highlanders of either the 42nd or 77th (Montgomery's) regiments) marched in the procession doing simple drill maneuvers. Lately, I've been marching with my Jacobite living history group, the Appin Regiment of 1745. However, this year I've a command performance to attend at my grandson's 3rd birthday party in Fredericksburg - I'll miss seeing all y'all!
I remember the "Scotland Yard" restaurant and had some good meals there. They had a three-course menu (several selections in each course) for a fixed price. I remember that the Scotch eggs were particularly good. The maître 'd (a Scottish gentleman whose name I forget) sat kilted on a chair outside the restaurant entrance and welcomed diners. He once told me that he was once a music promoter in the UK whose firm once turned down the Beatles when they were just a local Liverpool band.
I hope that all XMarkers that are able to attend Alexandria's Scottish Walk have a great time! I'll be there with you in spirit.