Tartan Day Comes Home to Scotland
Issued: 27 March 2008
Ask Scots about the significance of 6th April in the Scottish calendar – and you'll most likely be met by blank looks, according to a survey by Tartan Day Scotland.
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In fact, one of the events that shaped the nation – the Declaration of Arbroath – was signed on 6th April, 1320, effectively an appeal to the Pope to recognise Scotland as a nation state.
Today, Tartan Day is celebrated in fine style in New York, but is barely acknowledged at home.The survey indicated that although Scottish residents display low awareness of the significance of 6th April, 83% interviewed believed the concept of celebrating the date on home territory to be a good one.
By bringing Tartan Day home to Scotland, the organisers (eight local authorities lead by Angus Council) aim to change all that.This year, a week-long programme of events and activities starting on 29th March culminates in the re-enactment of the Declaration of Arbroath at Arbroath Abbey on 6th April.
Nieve Jennings, the current Miss Scotland, and Richard Irvine of the Arbroath Abbey Pageant Society as King Robert the Bruce, toasted the success of the celebrations in Scotland with a glass of 'Tartan Fizz'.
Miss Scotland's outfit was a Sandra Murray contemporary Tartan hot pants design, and 'Tartan Fizz' was the winning recipe in a Tartan Day Scotland competition to incorporate the best of Scotland's ingredients, such as berries from Angus, into a refreshing, healthy non-alcoholic drink.
The week of events showcases Scotland's people, heritage, history and culture and celebrates the country's legacy to the world; the celebrations across Scotland include nine days of ceilidhs, concerts, music and drama, street entertainment, family activity days, walks and tours.
And the organisers are working on a long-term collaborative project with the aim of celebrating Tartan Day Scotland nationwide by 2020, the 700th anniversary of the Declaration of Arbroath.
David Valentine, Advisor on Tourism to the Confederation of Scottish LocalAuthorities said: "The Declaration of Arbroath has a unique place in Scotland's cultural heritage.We think it's time that Tartan Day, celebrated with such style in North America and other countries around the world, is also recognised here at home.
"By organising a programme of events building towards the 700th anniversary in 2020, we hope to develop a greater understanding amongst modern-day Scots of the significance of the anniversary".
Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth John Swinney said: "This initiative demonstrates the value to be gained when all parts of government work together. Scotland has unrivalled cultural, historical and environmental assets to make it a premium destination for visitors from around the globe.
"Making the most of those assets and marketing what we have to offer effectively means the private sector and all parts of the public sector working towards a shared objective to increase Scotland's sustainable economic growth. I congratulate all the partners involved in developing Tartan Day Scotland and making real the benefits of our historic Concordat with local government."
