Oh What A Night!!!

Howdy. I’m still buzzing after a great night of mingling with fellow Scots last night. The fab Scottish village opened up in Central Station. You really do have to pop by if you can. Last night, there were whisky cocktails, traditional performers, a fashion show and loads of stands for people to find out everything about Scotland and their ancestry. I met so many people including Jonathan Mills, new Director of the Edinburgh International Festival who it must be said has lined up an amazing array of talent for this years festival. He really is bringing the arts to the people and making it accessible to all. Pick up a brochure in the Scottish Village or check out the website (www.eif.co.uk).

It was an evening of firsts for me and many others, I got to see the very first tartan tee shirt. I know what you are thinking…unbelievable…but true I saw it. I even took a pic. Modeling it here, we have the owner of the company Michael Gordon. So if you want a tee shirt in your clan colours, Michael is your man. www.tartanshirts.co.uk.

I also got to see the first ever organic knitted jumper made with 100% natural colours - no artificial colours, (like Wholefoods!). I know what you are thinking….how did they find a grey and brown sheep….but they did. I don’t think that the jumper came from the same sheep though. I hope not. The poor sheep would have had a terrible time at school. This unique jumper came with a lovely kilt. The entire outfit is the brainchild of the lovely Teresa from Thistle and Broom and Howie, the kilt God. I also met Andrew who ships in live langoustines from Scotland to New York every day. He and his better half Anne, specialize in fresh Scottish produce. Last night they had samples of their salmon. Yum. www.scottishgourmetusa.com

While I was enjoying the festivities in Central Station, Morag got a guided tour of the town by Chuck (yellow taxi). They took in all the sights and then Chuck took Morag to the fabled Greenwich Village. It was a clear night, so they could see the stars. Morag is keen on astronomy and showed Chuck the plough and the big bear. Chuck told Morag the story of how he once saw a big bear. Morag liked the way Chuck said bear. I don’t want to start rumours or anything…but I think love may be blossoming.

I promised some pics from yesterday’s festivities…..so here is a selection.

Tonight we are all meeting at the St Andrews Bar and then we are off to see the RD Laing play. Living is a social whirlwind! Should be good. Morag and Chuck are going to the drive through.

Yours aye,

Tam

The Scots Have Landed!!!

Phew…what a night! I went to a fantastic fish restaurant (Pescatore on 2nd Ave) made to make your mouth water! The range of fish was amazing. I’d been told New York had a reputation for great food…but this was something else. It reminded me of Edinburgh and the fab restaurants around Leith Shore. Actually the last time I ate fish that good was in Crinan in Argyll. The fish is caught locally and from being caught to landing on your plate is only a matter of hours. The monkfish last night was worthy of the great Gordon Ramsay himself.

This morning I donned my kilt and Morag and I, plus a few pals took over a little corner of Union Square in New York and turned it into little Scotland. We had a Highland cow (of course), a glorious piper, a model wearing a saltire dress, (kindly loaned to us by Teresa Fritschi of www.ThistleandBroom.com), loads of folk in traditional kilts, Laura McGee (who is performing this week at the Knitting Factory…a must see gig. Read her interview on www.myspace.com/tartanweek), Mike Moran (his show starts tonight. He is a bag of nerves but I’m sure he’ll be braw as ever) and Howie (the genius behind 21st Century kilts) who looked uber cool as always in his tweed kilt. We had balloons, badges and a constant stream of folk young and old interested in Tartan Week. While we spoke to the sassy New York folk, Morag had a blether with the yellow cabs. One of them, I think his name was Chuck, told M that his fluffy dice were from Scotland. Touching tale. They plan to keep in touch.

I love speaking to New York people. They adore the Scots. Had a great chat with David Thomson, a Scot who now lives in New York. He’s been in NY for 5 years. David said… “I love this place because it’s just like where I used to live in the Old Town part of Edinburgh. I can walk everywhere. Nothing is too far away. Everything you need is right on your doorstep”. Using the words of the popular 80’s beat combo Spandau Ballet, I replied…em…‘so true’ (just to clarify for those unfamiliar with the tune….it is not about the fine array of fabulous Scottish facilities in your lovely locale...which is as good a source of inspiration as any…but not in this legendary song).

The plan for today is to take Morag on a tour of the city. She is very excited. At 1pm she might appear on NBC television. I’ve taught her some breathing techniques in case she gets nervous. I have to say she looked magnificent in Union Square this morning. I have some photos, which I’ll post later.

We’re off later to the launch of the Scotland Village in Grand Central Station…does life get any better than this?

Back in touch soon.

Your aye,

Tam

Get a Taste Of Tartan Week!

So excited. Almost there. It all happens tomorrow. So overwhelmed with pride for Scotland that I’ve been inspired to write a poem.

‘Tis The Night Before Tartan Week

‘Tis the night before Tartan Week and I cannae sleep
With so many Scots friends, it’ll be fantastique (struggled to rhyme)
The bag pipes are chanting around my tired head
And visions of whisky, haggis and a Burns lament for old friends

I’ve polished my brogues and wound up the clock (alarm),
In a very few hours I’ll be donning my cap (baseball)
To lovely Scots ladies and the gents so refined
I’ll celebrate Scotland, with traditions lang syne

But at the same toast, I’ll raise a glass to Scotland today
With its brilliant brains and ingenuity
There’s Dolly the sheep and virtual games
T In The Park and the Edinburgh Fringe
The inspiring beauty of Burns own homeland
And chart topping bands, like Franz Ferdinand

There’s the Scottish crime writers of Tartan Noir
On the trail of Pinkerton, a Scot who went far
Like millions of Scots who travel the world
Who raise a glass to their country as the saltires unfurled

So dust down your kilt (assuming you don’t have a suit carrier) and come join with me
I’ll show you a Scot who can dance for Tiree (National Champions, admittedly disco dancing)
So if you see me this week, in my kilt or my van
Please give me a shout and celebrate your clan

May your history be strong and your soul always free
May the echoes of Scotland, draw you close to your dreams
Oh you’ll hear me proclaim, as my van drives on the right,
May Tartan Week last forever, in the heart of your life!!

Right. Enough of that. I’m off for a wee Irn Bru nightcap and then early to bed. Tomorrow involves the grand opening of the Scottish Village, the Silver of the Stars…and possibly a touch of site seeing. Look out for the man in the trendy kilt, supplied by Howie at 21st Century kilts.

Your aye,

Tam