The bagpipers are back in town as New York begins Tartan Week Festivities.

From April 1-8, 2006, New York became a sea of tartan kilts; the music of bagpipes will fill the air, and all things Scottish will prevail. Tartan Week celebrates Scotland; its history, culture, dance, music, fashion and specialty products, including the famous whisky. 

 

Tartan Week began with great fanfare on March 31, 2006 with a preview of what’s to come, as Vanderbilt Hall at Grand Central Terminal in New York was transformed into a Scottish Village. Guests walked the red carpet accompanied by the music of bagpipes. Scotsman Alan Cumming, Actor, Writer, Businessman and Icon of Scotland 2005 recipient welcomed guests, and Donald Trump a Champion of Scotland 2005 recipient, also attended the festivities.

Peatbog Faeries

On stage, the Peatbog Faeries heated up the audience with their unique and energetic traditional music. After their performance, I spoke with drummer Ian Copeland, who told me that the Peatbog Faeries received the “Live Act of the Year for Scottish Traditional Music” award in December 2005, and will reign as champions for one year. I first heard them play at Tartan Week in 2005, and Edward F. Nesta reviewed their “Croftwork” CD, in June 2005 in the Music Scene. The Peatbog Faeries will be performing daily at Grand Central Terminal, as well as at other venues throughout the city.

Guests could visit the Ancestral Scotland booth to learn about tracing their Scottish heritage and checking the Ancestral Map where clan tartans and code of arms were displayed, enjoy a wee dram of 12, 15 or 18-year old Glenfiddich, sample fruit liqueur cocktails, watch Hunter ‘wellies’ being crafted by hand, taste Scottish honey, learn about the famous links golf courses that are synonymous with Scotland, as well as the plan a trip to the beautiful castles of Scotland.

Executive Chef Joe Queen of MacDonald Hotels and Resorts treated guests to a “taste of Scotland” with a culinary demonstration, there were excerpts from Scottish plays by the Scottish Youth Theatre and traditional Highland dances, with the evening ending on a high note with the fusion sound of jazz and funk by the quintet Finlay MacDonald Band taking the stage, leaving the audience with the lingering music of Scotland. The Finlay MacDonald Band will be performing daily at Grand Central Terminal, as well as at other venues throughout the city.

Tartan Week continues with daily festivities located throughout New York as well as at Grand Central Terminal, including the Icons of Scotland Awards and Whisky Live on April 5, 2006 at Tavern on the Green. There will be also Scottish films, fashion shows, a Scottish Salon at Christie’s, and the 8^th Annual NYC Tartan Day Parade down 6^th Avenue from 44^th – 58^th Streets on April 8, 2006, which begins at 2:00 pm. Look for more Tartan Week articles in the May 2006 edition.

For more information on Tartan Week or Scotland, please visit www.tartanweekny.com or www.visitscotland.com.

© April 2006. Luxury Experience. www.LuxuryExperience.com. All rights reserved.