Celebration of Tartan Day approved by the US Senate

bagpiper
May 28, 2023

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In 1998 the US Senate designated 6 April each year as Tartan Day in recognition of the monumental achievements and invaluable contributions made by Scottish Americans.

Tartan Day is a celebration of Scottish heritage which takes place on April 6th each year. This date was chosen because it marks the signing of the Declaration of Arbroath in 1320, an important event in Scottish history that asserted Scotland’s sovereignty over English territorial claims, and was a significant influence on the American Declaration of Independence.

Tartan Day is most prominently celebrated in countries with large populations of Scottish descendants, such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. The day is an opportunity for those of Scottish heritage to celebrate their cultural history and ancestry. Events typically include parades, Highland dancing, Scottish music performances, and, of course, the wearing of tartan, the plaid pattern that is a symbol of Scottish identity.

In the United States, Tartan Day was officially recognized in 1998, while in Canada, it was recognized in 2010. The celebration offers a chance for people to honor and learn about Scottish history, traditions, and the contributions of Scots and their descendants to the culture and history of the nations they now inhabit.

Jimi McRae

In 1999 street piper Jimi McRae and Offbeat Scotland music producer Iain McKinna teamed up to produce Jimi The Piper's debut solo album. In 2001 the follow up album Earthdance, co-written by Jimi and Iain was released. Following a successful solo tour of the west coast of the USA, they then formed a band to promote the albums. In it's present line up the band has been gigging extensively since 2003. Now with the release of their latest album Kick Out The Ghosts, Pipedreams are increasingly bringing their unique and intoxicating brand of contemporary Scottish pipe based music to an appreciative and ever widening audience, both throughout the UK and beyond. Pipedreams work with many top agents and promoters and are currently available for festivals, tours and supports, TV and radio sessions, corporate events and overseas engagements. Jimi McRae : Highland, Lowland, Border, Arabic & Electronic pipes Jimi McRae was for many years Edinburgh's best known street busker at his pitch at St Giles in Edinburgh's Royal Mile and was known originally as the Biker Piper. A road accident in 1994 put him out of action for two years, but in 1999 a fortuitous meeting with top Scottish record producer Iain McKinna of Offbeat Scotland led to an exclusive deal with the label. Two highly acclaimed albums were released - Pipedreams (1999) and Earthdance (2001) - to rave reviews in the music press. American and European tours followed, and a legion of devoted fans has grown internationally. As a solo artist Jimi has been to the West Coast of USA twice and has created a groundswell of interest selling thousands of albums following solo live and radio performances in Seattle and San Francisco. As well as being the official piper for The Claymores, Scotland's national American football team, he has also performed solo at a multitude of gigs including Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Murrayfield Stadium, Stirling Castle, ICC Birmingham, Edinburgh International Conference Centre, and Hampden Park.