Tartan Day in the U.S.of A

**Andrew Green** · 20th December 06, 06:40 PM

Thanks for the links!

**David Thornton** · 21st December 06, 06:20 AM

I feel compelled to toss my opinion out on this one. The only information being diseminated in Kentucky about Scottish events comes from an Irish gift shop owner that I know. I pay to belong to the Scotish Society org in Lexington & Louisville, I'm lucky to get one quarterly newsletter annually.

So, the day is an unknown outside this board and a handful of places with active associations. That represents a very small percentage of the population. And a lot of the interest here is, to a degree, driven by economics. (Not denegrating anyone, don't need a bad point from the mods!)

It's going to be a tough task, look at how much work goes into just trying to get a kilt night together. I have a group of friends who will celebrate with me, but I think it's the novelty of seeing a kilt out in public for them.

Fire away, Im ready.

David

**davedove** · 21st December 06, 06:28 AM

Originally Posted by Bob C.

There certainly are celebrations, but I think it's fair to say it's still a VERY minor holiday. Compare it to St. Patrick's Day, for reference.

We all have to remember that Tartan Day is a pretty recent development in the US, again as compared to St. Patrick's Day. It takes a while to establish traditions of celebration.

In all honesty, Tartan Day may always be a minor holiday, primarily clebrated by those who are heavy into all things Scottish. Then again, it may one day rise to the same level as St. Patrick's Day, though I doubt it will get any bigger than that.

Many people don't even know the day exists. And for those who do, most think that to get kilted requires you to go out and buy a $400-$500 traditional kilt, and a lot of people just aren't going to do that.

**Dirk Skene** · 21st December 06, 06:32 AM

I knew of it only after becoming a member of this forum.

**macwilkin** · 21st December 06, 06:45 AM

Originally Posted by davedove

We all have to remember that Tartan Day is a pretty recent development in the US, again as compared to St. Patrick's Day. It takes a while to establish traditions of celebration.

In all honesty, Tartan Day may always be a minor holiday, primarily clebrated by those who are heavy into all things Scottish. Then again, it may one day rise to the same level as St. Patrick's Day, though I doubt it will get any bigger than that.

Many people don't even know the day exists. And for those who do, most think that to get kilted requires you to go out and buy a $400-$500 traditional kilt, and a lot of people just aren't going to do that.

Dave raises a good point: do we really want Tartan Day to be like "American" St. Patrick's Day, where, save a few cities with large Irish-American populations, the holiday is really nothing more than a "green Mardi Gras". (And for that matter, what we call Mardi Gras today is nothing like traditional Mardi Gras celebrated in Cajun country.) Many St. Patrick's Day parades have little Irish history, culture, tradition -- the one here in Springfield is a good example. Others of course, do have that, and I salute them for finding a good mix of fun and learning.

Personally, I prefer quality over quanity. Yes, it would be nice if Tartan Day would be more nationally known, but I think we need to remember the "point" behind Tartan Day -- to acknowledge the contributions of the Scots to North America -- not just to party. Don't get me wrong, I like a good ceilidh as much as the next man, but the educational and cultural aspects of Tartan Day are much more important to me.

Regards,

Todd

**Cawdorian** · 21st December 06, 06:55 AM

Take a look at www.ccsna.org and click on the "Clan Campbell Society of New York City", there are some pictures and information on the Tartan Day Celebration in New York City.

A good start toward national recognition for Tartan Day (and St. Andrew's Day) would be to get the dates noted on the calendars that are printed around the country. Some calendars do show St. Andrew's Day but show it as being observed in Canada.

Now if Hallmark or American Greetings had cards for Tartan Day like they do for St. Patrick's Day that would be another good thing.

We need to make others aware of the day abd it's significance, we could all send our family and friends electronic cards for Tartan Day, there are some available on the net.

**Riverkilt** · 21st December 06, 07:04 AM

For those who aren't full time or frequent kilt wearers perhaps a card with a list of "Scottish holidays" (yes, I know about the daily list) where it would be appropriate to wear the kilt, could be made up by someone and distributed to kiltmakers to include when they ship a kilt.

I'm thinking primarily of the lower cost/entry level kilt kiltmakers. Sort of a "Here's your kilt and here's a list of days where you have a good reason to wear it." Obviously, Tartan Day would be on there too.

And yes, yes, yes....I know we "shouldn't" have to...I thinking here of a way to reach new kiltwearers.

Another thing I've done locally (small town) is to review the local phone directory for folks with Scottish names. Have thought of a general mailing, but even in this little town the costs rise rapidly.

Ron

**arrogcow** · 21st December 06, 08:01 AM

Cincinnati's is a very low publicized event as well. The one time I went, it was just a few Celtic vendors and a lot of beer. But the Tartan Terrors were there as entertainment (don't know how Cincinnati scored them). Burns night is the big event here for the Scottish crowd, but still unless you are looking for it, you would never hear about it.

Adam

**Pour1Malt** · 21st December 06, 08:09 AM

Originally Posted by Julian

Our First Minister of our Scottish Assembly,Jack McConnell, has stated that Tartan Day in USA has not been the success it was hoped to be and now it will require a rethink on how it can be marketed.
Can I ask any citizens of USA if they knew about Tartan Day, which was mostly held in New York and if so what was their thoughts on this event.
I am sure the Scottish Executive would welcome ideas from anyone who had thoughts how how this could be better marketed
Julian

Julian-

do you know how we can send a link to this thread to Jack McConnell's staff?

**beowulf67** · 21st December 06, 08:25 AM

Originally Posted by Bill

I plan to write an open letter to the Editor of our local newspaper concerning Tartan Day its' origin and purpose and encourage folks to observe the day.

BTW I just noticed that Tartan Day falls on Good Friday this coming year due to an early Easter date. I'm thinking that is going to cause some problems as far as celebrations are concerned but not with the wearn' O' the Tartan. Anyone have any thoughts on this?

Bill

Our local society has a kirkin (did I spell that right?) normally but since it's on Good Friday this year it kind of interferes with the other things going on at the church. So they haven't decided when they are doing it this year.