The award season begins in March every year and continues throughout the month of May; all are prestigious, all showcase and reward talent, but there is something about Tartan Week in New York and the Icons of Scotland that brings out the Scottish in all of us, even if we are not Scottish! Perhaps it is the music, the heritage, or the pride of the people, but whatever it is, it’s contagious!

The Third Annual Icons of Scotland celebrated the essence of Scotland, and this year’s awards were held at the venerable Waldorf=Astoria on Park Avenue in New York, on April 5, 2005. Hosted by Scotland Magazine, and co-sponsors, The Macallan, Drambuie and Visit Scotland, it was a grand celebration beginning with Jerry Dixon, a New York Caledonian Club Piper and the Celtic rock band, the Gutty Slippers – Terrence Strain, Paul Nelis, John Gunn, James Murray and Daniel McCafferty, playing on the sidewalk in front of the hotel to welcome the guests, and to set the tone for the evening’s festivities. Once inside the hotel, tartan and kilts were the fashion of the day and worn with Scottish pride. In the elevator ride on the way up to the Starlight Roof, I found myself in a very crowded elevator with four handsome men, three of them wearing kilts, and the fourth, a non-kilt wearing man joking and making references to the British television comedy, “Are you being served?” as we slowly made our way up to the 18^th floor. Later during the cocktail reception, I learned that I had been entertained by none other than the famous Caledon Tenors – Jamie MacDougall, Ivan Sharpe, and Alan Beck, with their musical director and pianist, Michael Barnett, leading the joking. After a cocktail reception, which featured Scottish cocktails of Drambuie Sour, Drambuie Vanilla Spice, and Scottish Sunrise, as well as The Macallan Fine Oak and The Macallan 12 Years Old, Jerry Dixon played his bagpipes and led the celebrants to the ballroom for dinner and the awards ceremony.

Damian Riley-Smith, Publisher, Scotland Magazine, welcomed the invited guests and introduced the emcee, Fred Macauley, comedian and Scottish talk-show host, who kept the audience laughing throughout the evening. The Icons of Scotland awards individuals and organizations that have served as ambassadors, either formally or informally, showcasing the artistic and cultural wealth of Scotland.

The awards began with Alan L. Bain, President of the American-Scottish Foundation, who presented The Wallace Award to Donald Taffner, Sr. and Eleanor Taffner. The Taffners are the first individuals without Scottish heritage to win this prestigious award, which recognizes individuals for outstanding achievement or significant contribution in their field of endeavor. The Icons of Scotland awards included: Golf International for “Scotland the Home of Golf” Experience; Nicola Benedetti, violinist, rising international star and BBC Young Musician of the Year Nominee for “Performance Scotland”; Ian Rankin, international best-selling mystery author for “Creative Scotland Literature”; Fionna Carlisle, leading Scottish visual artist, for “Creative Scotland Literature”; Donald Trump, who has familial ties to the Isle of Lewis, who has changed the face of real estate, for “Champion of Scotland”; Douglas Rae, Founder of Ecosse Films, Scotland’s most successful independent film and television company, for “Innovation Scotland”; Rossyln Chapel, one of Scotland’s greatest attractions, for “Heart of Scotland”; and Dr. Tom Hunter, philanthropist and entrepreneur, for “Spirit of Scotland.” The prestigious Icon of Scotland 2005 was awarded to Alan Cumming, Actor, Writer and Businessman. Mr. Damian Riley-Smith said that Alan “is the very essence of all that we have recognized tonight”, and that “Alan was a natural choice for our 2005 icon.”

The award winners, the entertainment, the alcohol and even the menu were Scottish! Renowned Scottish chef, Kevin Macgillivray, flew to New York to create a special menu, which featured Scotch whisky, of course!

The Menu

Galette of Smoked Salmon
On a Salad of Smoked Mussels with Chive Crème Fraiche

Sliced Tenderloin of Beef

Woodland Mushroom & Parmesan Crust

Whiskey Grain Mustard Sauce

Raspberry and Whiskey Liqueur Parfait
Fresh Raspberries

Waldorf=Astoria Petit Fours

Entertainment was provided throughout the award ceremonies by Katie Targett Adams, harpist and past Icon of Scotland winner, the Peatbog Faeries – Peter Morrison, Adam Sutherland, Innes Hutton, Leighton Jones, Iain Copeland, and Seumas Maclennan, who rocked the Waldorf=Astoria with their high-flying music, followed by the Caledon Tenors, singing two songs, the last song being “500 Miles” which had the audience cheering. The night ended with the award winners and entertainers on stage linking arms and singing “Auld Lang Syne”, a perfect ending to the Icons of Scotland 2005 awards.

Please read our related Scottish articles in Liquor Cabinet and Music Scene sections.

© June 2005. Luxury Experience. www.luxuryexperience.com All rights reserved.