Tartan Day in the U.S.of A

**sirdaniel1975** · 20th December 06, 05:44 PM

Those that know and care, take part in whatever way they are able. It is a holiday, but not one of the holiday's where schools, banks, & post offices close. And the media coverage is short at best, so the effect is most don't even know of it's existance.

However, there are cities that celebrate.. Like NY, here in Franklin, NC, etc.. and some of the cities mentioned above in other posts.

Unfortunately, it's not a big enough holiday where the masses are capable of having the day off from work in order to participate in the fashion as to what is truly needed.

Then there are the employers who would send employees home for wearing a kilt to work on Tartan Day, because they wouldn't recognize it as an actual holiday.

So, there is still alot that needs to be done... People like us, clan Societies, and other Scottish societies are the major participants. It's just going to take time, and we all have to be both patient and persistent.

**Bill** · 20th December 06, 05:56 PM

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

**macwilkin** · 20th December 06, 06:18 PM

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

Many groups observe the holiday on the weekend before or after the 6th.

T.

**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.

**Kilted KT** · 20th December 06, 02:25 PM

I'm working quite hard to promote tartan day, and will be more than happy to help anyone else who needs ideas/help promoting their tartan day celebrations!

**Andrew Green** · 20th December 06, 05:55 PM

Is there a Seattle St.Andrew's Society? I might have to look into that... if nothing else, I am sure that it would be a great source of information. I don't know whether the Seattle area does any kind of parade...another thing I will have to look into. I've known about Tartan Day, but have never been involved personally, because I have not found others to be involved with (hey it helps).

**Bob C** · 20th December 06, 06:03 PM

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.

Those of us on this messageboard are hardly a representative cross-section of the American public. We're mostly decended from Celts. Those who are not Celtic are constantly exposed to Celtic culture by those of us who are.

**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.

**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

**macwilkin** · 20th December 06, 06:20 PM

Originally Posted by Andrew Green

Is there a Seattle St.Andrew's Society? I might have to look into that... if nothing else, I am sure that it would be a great source of information. I don't know whether the Seattle area does any kind of parade...another thing I will have to look into. I've known about Tartan Day, but have never been involved personally, because I have not found others to be involved with (hey it helps).

http://www.caledonians.com/ -- The Caledonian & St. Andrew's Society of Seattle.

http://www.tartanday-wa.org/ -- Washington State Tartan Day Celebrations

Regards,

Todd