FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Leah Rankin | Communications Director
leah@nyctartanweek.org
NYC Tartan Week Announces
2024 NYC Tartan Day Parade Grand Marshal:
Dougray Scott
Emmy Award-Winning Scottish Actor Dougray Scott Leads 26th Annual NYC Tartan Day Parade up
Sixth Avenue on April 6
NYC Tartan Week Celebrates National Tartan Day with Events Across NYC from April 1-7 Including:
Second Annual NYC Tartan Week Mòd at
The Tailor Public House on April 4;
Tartan Week on the Fountain Terrace
at Bryant Park on April 5-7;
Pre-Parade Ceilidh at
The View at The Battery on April 5;
Kirkin o’ the Tartan at
The Brick Presbyterian Church,
and the Post Parade Party Featuring
the Seán Heely Band and
Glengarry Bhoys at Sony Hall on April 6
February 15, 2024 (New York, NY) – NYC Tartan Week, the largest annual Scottish cultural gathering in NYC, announces the 2024 NYC Tartan Day Parade Grand Marshal, Emmy Award-winning Scottish actor Dougray Scott. In celebration of National Tartan Day, a day declared by the U.S. Senate in 1998 to officially recognize the “outstanding achievements and contributions made by Scottish Americans to the United States,” Dougray leads over 1,500 bagpipers, Highland dancers, Scottish clan members, Celtic Canines, and more in the 26th annual NYC Tartan Day Parade on Saturday, April 6, 2024 at 2:00 p.m. up Sixth Avenue between 44th St. & 55th St.
“We are thrilled to welcome Dougray Scott to our NYC Tartan Week celebrations,” said Kyle Dawson, President of the National Tartan Day New York Committee. “Dougray is an excellent representative of how Scotland and Scottish people contribute so much to the artistic and cultural landscape of the United States, and we are proud to have him at the helm of this year’s NYC Tartan Day Parade.”
Dougray, who is recognized for his roles in Ever After, Deep Impact, and Mission: Impossible 2, will wear a custom weathered Morrison Tartan 16oz Strome kilt in honor of his mother’s Scottish heritage, woven by Lochcarron Weavers and designed by 21st Century Kilts.
“I couldn’t be prouder or happier to have been asked to be the 2024 NYC Tartan Day Parade Grand Marshal,” Dougray said. “And also to be wearing the Morrison tartan, the tartan of my mother’s family. She’ll be looking down from on high with pride in her Scottish heart, God bless her Glaswegian cotton socks! May the chief let his sun shine all the way from Leith to NYC!”
Dougray joins the roster of acclaimed NYC Tartan Day Parade Grand Marshals including TV personality Gail Porter (2023); actor Karen Gillan (2022); actor Brian Cox (2020, 2012); comedian Sir Billy Connolly (2019); musician KT Tunstall (2018); actor Tommy Flanagan (2018); actor Sam Heughan (2016); and more. For a full list of Grand Marshals, click here.
The NYC Tartan Day Parade is the flagship event of NYC Tartan Week, held this year from Monday, April 1 – Sunday, April 7 with events throughout Manhattan and Brooklyn. Highlights include the second annual NYC Tartan Week Mòd – the Gaelic song competition hosted once again by BBC Alba’s SpeakGaelic presenter, Joy Dunlop. The event, presented in partnership with the New York Caledonian Club, includes Gaelic language and music workshops culminating in a prestigious singing competition on Thursday, April 4 at 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. at The Tailor Public House.
“I’m thrilled to be returning to NYC to host the second NYC Tartan Week Mòd,” said Joy Dunlop. “Our inaugural Mòd was such a positive of Gaelic language and culture and we look forward to welcoming friends old and new to this year’s event. It’s so important to have Scottish Gaelic represented, not only at the Mòd, but at subsequent events throughout the week and I think that it truly brings something extra special to the NYC Tartan Week programming.”
The annual Pre-Parade Ceilidh returns, presented by the New York Caledonian Club on Friday, April 5 at 6:30 p.m. at The View at The Battery, The American-Scottish Foundation hosts Tartan Week on the Fountain Terrace with multiple events including free concerts and readings from the Declaration of Arbroath from Friday, April 5 – Sunday, April 7 at Bryant Park, the St. Andrew’s Society presents its annual Kirkin o’ the Tartan service and brunch on Saturday, April 6 at 10:00 a.m. at The Brick Presbyterian Church, and the highly-anticipated Post Parade Party featuring the Seán Heely band and the Glengarry Bhoys kicks off after the parade on Saturday, April 6 at 4:00 p.m. at Sony Hall. For a full list of events, click here.
The 2024 NYC Tartan Week events are organized by the National Tartan Day New York Committee and made possible with support from the Scottish Government, Visit Scotland, ScotlandShop, The Tailor Public House, Belhaven, Isle of Harris Gin, Walkers Shortbread, WeeBox, Compliant Global, and ImpEx Beverages, who will be featuring whiskies from Ardnamurchan, GlenAllachie, Isle of Raasay, Kilchoman, and Nc’nean Distilleries at the Post Parade Party.
Event Details:
Second Annual NYC Tartan Week Mòd
Joy Dunlop, host
Thursday, April 4, 2024 from 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
The Tailor Public House | 505 8th Ave | New York, NY 10018
Tickets: $40 for participants; $30 for competitors
Link: https://www.nyctartanweek.org/mod/
Tartan Day Observance
Friday, April 5, 2024 at 12:30 p.m.
Fountain Terrace at Bryant Park | 1 W 40th St | New York, NY 10018
Tickets: FREE
Link: https://www.nyctartanweek.org/event/asf-tartan-day-observance/
Pre-Parade Ceilidh
Friday, April 5, 2024 at 6:30 p.m.
The View at The Battery | 1 Battery Pl | New York, NY 10004
Tickets: Adults: $125, kids (ages 6-16): $30
Link: https://nycaledonian.org/events/2024-nyc-tartan-week-pre-parade-ceilidh/
Kirkin’ o’ the Tartan
Saturday, April 6, 2024 at 10:00 a.m.
The Brick Presbyterian Church | 1140 Park Ave | New York, NY 10128
Tickets: FREE
Link: https://standrewsny.org/page/NYCTartanWeek2024
Pipes & Drums
Saturday, April 6, 2024 at 10:30 a.m.
Fountain Terrace at Bryant Park | 1 W 40th St | New York, NY 10018
Tickets: FREE
Link: https://www.nyctartanweek.org/event/asf-tartan-day-observance/
NYC Tartan Day Parade
Dougray Scott, Grand Marshal
Saturday, April 6 at 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Sixth Avenue between 44th St. & 55th St.
Tickets: FREE
Link: www.nyctartanweek.org
NYC Tartan Week Post Parade Party
Saturday, April 6, 2024 at 4:00 p.m.
Sony Hall | 235 W 46th St | New York, NY 10036
Tickets: $80
Link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/nyc-tartan-week-post-parade-party-tickets-826217507807
Scotland on the Fountain Terrace
Sunday, April 7, 2024 at 12:30 p.m.
Fountain Terrace at Bryant Park | 1 W 40th St | New York, NY 10018
Tickets: FREE
Link: https://www.nyctartanweek.org/event/asf-tartan-day-observance/
For a full list of NYC Tartan Week events updated daily, visit https://www.nyctartanweek.org/events/
About Dougray Scott
Dougray Scott was born in Scotland and trained at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama where he was named most promising drama student. Scott’s early work was in Scottish national theater and television, first appearing in the series Soldier Soldier as well as on the stage in the Tim Fleming directed production of Wallace. Early television credits to follow included The Rover, Taggart: Nest of Vipers, Lovejoy, and Soldier Soldier. Scott followed this up with impactful turns in the films You Don’t Have to Say You Love Me, Black Beauty, and Another 9 ½ Weeks. Shortly thereafter, Scott could be seen opposite Drew Barrymore in the hit film Ever After; opposite Robert Duvall, Tea Leoni, and Vanessa Redgrave in the film Deep Impact; as well as the second installment in the hit Mission: Impossible franchise, Mission: Impossible 2. Scott also appeared opposite Kate Winslet in Michael Apted’s Enigma as well as the 2002 film Ripley’s Game, opposite Ray Winstone. Starring opposite Jennifer Connelly in the 2005 film Dark Water and the 2007 film Hit Man, Scott soon appeared in US television for the first time in the ABC miniseries The Ten Commandments as well the Hallmark TV movie Arabian Nights.
US television audiences next saw Scott in the NBC series Heist as well as the hit ABC series Desperate Housewives. He followed these impressive turns with the BBC miniseries adaptation of the cult classic novel The Day of the Triffids. Scott was most recently seen in the critically-acclaimed movie My Week With Marilyn, the hit Netflix series Hemlock Grove, and the Cinemax series Strike Back. Scott can also be seen in the films Last Passenger and Lionsgate’s The Vatican Tapes. In 2022 Scott won an International Emmy Award and a BAFTA award for his portrayal of detective Ray Lennox in the TV adaptation of Crime.
Scott’s impressive theater resume includes the 2000 Donmar premiere of To The Green Fields Beyond, directed by Sam Mendes, The Rover, directed by Jules Wright, and The Power and the Glory, directed by Tim Luscombe.
About Joy Dunlop
The only person to be crowned Traditional Singer of the Year & Traditional Dance Champion at the Pan Celtic Festival, Joy Dunlop’s singing career is the result of a life–long fascination with Scotland’s traditional music and has led her all over the world; from major Celtic festivals, to touring the UK, Europe, Canada, USA, Japan and New Zealand.
Through her singing, she showcases Gaelic music and song in a contemporary way that always remains true to its roots. Nominated as Gaelic Singer of the Year 2020, 2016, 2011 & 2010, she has also won both the coveted Royal National Mòd Gold Medal and the Oban Times Gold Medal. She has released two highly acclaimed solo albums, Dùsgadh and Faileasan and a duo album with her brother Andrew, entitled Dithis.
A popular television & radio broadcaster, Joy presents the weather on both BBC Scotland & BBC ALBA, in addition to being the main host of SpeakGaelic, the new and multi-faceted learning brand, offering the most comprehensive approach to learning Scottish Gaelic in a generation. With her trademark poise and depth of knowledge, Joy’s warmth and enthusiasm have made her increasingly in-demand in television and radio broadcasts alike, presenting the BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician of the Year competition and being a frequent host and panelist on a wide range of music, current affairs and light entertainment programs.
A fluent Gaelic speaker, with an honors degree in Gaelic language and culture, she also conducts the Alba Choir, Scotland’s first and only Eurovision entry, who participated in the 2019 Eurovision Choir of the Year finals in Gothenburg, Sweden. To find out more, visit www.joydunlop.com
About NYC Tartan Week & NYC Tartan Day Parade
In 1999, two pipe bands and a small but enthusiastic group of Scottish Americans, led by Grand Marshal and Academy Award-winning actor Cliff Robertson, marched from the British Consulate to the UN in the first New York City Tartan Day Parade. Since then, the annual NYC Tartan Day Parade has brought together thousands of people from across NYC, the United States, and Scotland by providing meaningful connections through the celebration of Scottish heritage and culture. Organized by the National Tartan Day New York Committee, the Parade plays an integral role in marking National Tartan Day (April 6), a day declared by the U.S. Senate in 1998 to officially recognize the “outstanding achievements and contributions made by Scottish Americans to the United States.” The NYC Tartan Day Parade, which is free to all those who participate and represents the highlight of a weeklong series of Scottish-themed festivities designated as “NYC Tartan Week,” includes over 3,000 bagpipers, Highland dancers, clan organizations, Scottish dog breeds, and more, proudly marching up Sixth Avenue amongst tens of thousands of spectators in person and online. The NYC Tartan Day Parade and NYC Tartan Week continue to attract the best Scottish and Scottish-American artists, entrepreneurs, organizations, and more in an effort to promote, support, and develop deeper personal connections with Scottish heritage in America. To find out more, follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter at @nyctartanweek, and visit www.nyctartanweek.org.
About the National Tartan Day New York Committee
The National Tartan Day New York Committee was formed in 2002 and obtained official nonprofit 501(c)(3) status in 2003 to organize the NYC Tartan Day Parade and all the associated activities that make up NYC Tartan Week. In following its mission to celebrate and spread awareness of the contributions made by Scottish Americans to the United States, the committee continually partners with organizations throughout New York City, the United States, and Scotland to present opportunities for those who have or identify with Scottish heritage to connect through more than a dozen Scottish-themed events each year during NYC Tartan Week. The committee is committed to providing meaningful exchanges and inspiring experiences in order to showcase the rich Scottish heritage that continues to thrive in America. The committee is comprised of representatives from The Saint Andrew’s Society of the State of New York, The New York Caledonian Club, The American-Scottish Foundation, and Clan Campbell.
Photo at top of release courtesy of Dougray Scott.
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