Tam's Guide to Tartan Week

Start Spreading The News….We’re Leavin’ Today…

2007-04-06T16:30:00.000-07:00

Today is Tartan Day and our week is now over. What a week we’ve had. Morag has said goodbye to Chuck. Her windscreen wipers have been on full since they said goodbye. It’s not raining….she is just a tad overwhelmed. Neither of us will forget this trip for a very long time. We have both got I love New York tee shirts. Morag and Chuck’s dinner last night went very well apart from when they drove past the place where Marilyn Monroe did the infamous photo on the subway grate on 51st street in her white skirt. Chuck was too busy chatting about the Tartan Day parade and the gusty force of nature took over, blowing his kilt in the air, exposing his New York bonnet. Morag didn’t know where to look. Needless to say, Chuck was a tad embarrassed. Apart from that, all went well.

Yesterday we saw Silver of the Stars. If you haven’t seen this exhibition yet, you should do. It is basically a collection of silver designs based on the theme of a drink with a friend. Highlight for me was he Billy Connolly piece. His chosen person to have a drink with was God. Billy says that you should never trust anyone who does not put a tea cosey on their head, if the opportunity arises. Very wise.

The Laura McGhee Experience
I know I have talked about Laura before but I have to say her show last night was something else. Brilliant. Talented. Far too goodlooking for one person. Undeniably Scottish. For me she is the very essence of modern Scotland. She is taking traditional music and giving it her own modern twist. Laura is not about short bread tin marketing, She is clever, cool and very much about making her own impression on this world. Scotland has so much to offer today. Look out for e-magazines like www.scotland-now.com to give you an insight into modern Scotland.

Tigerstyle also brought their bangra to New York. Their music is infectious…you can’t help but dance. For an unknown band in New York, they had the entire room jumping. Great gig.

Highland 2007
So that’s our trip over. New Yorkers now have to come to Scotland. There are so many festivals coming up, you will have the time of your life. Also this year, we are celebrating Highland year of culture. This year long season of events is not only helping to engage people with the Highland history but also to let people know about modern Scotland. Have a look at their website to see plans for the year.

Goodbye New York. Thanks you for a fabulous week. Hopefully we’ll see you in Scotland soon. Morag can’t really speak right now but she told me to say that New York rocks and Chuck, taxi number 2007, is the bestest taxi in New York. Oh…the windscreen wipers have gone on again.

Big Thanks
Just a final thank you to all those organisations who made this trip so special. So Visit Scotland, Silver of the Stars, New York Historical Society, Scottish Museums, Scottish Screen, Susan Millar, New York Runners, Thistle and Broom and the lovely Howie from 21st Century kilts.

This is not goodbye. Keep an eye out for Morag and my future adventures.

Signing out for now.

Yours aye,

Tam and Morag

And Now....The End Is Near

2007-04-05T12:16:00.000-07:00

Well, our whirlwind trip is almost at an end. One day to go. After a week in New York, Morag and I are big fans of the Big Apple. Morag and Chuck are falling in love with each other….and I am head over heels about New Yorkers.

Ground Zero
Yesterday started on a poignant note at the Scotland within the British Memorial Garden concert featuring the aforementioned adorable Laura McGhee. The garden was set up to commemorate those for the UK who died during 9/11. After the reception, I headed down to Ground Zero. The silence there was deafening….it is a very emotive place. Here is a pic of their plans for the site.

Afterwards we headed down to Wall Street, the heart of New York’s financial district. Scotland has a very strong financial sector too. Edinburgh in particular has always been a leader in the financial world, with the Bank of Scotland dating back to 1695. As one of the leading financial capitals, Edinburgh is a hotbed of innovation with great insurance and investment companies.

On The Rocks
The evening got off to a good start with Whisky Live. This is an event where all the largest whisky makers come together under one roof and give out free samples of their produce. Awful I know. It would have been rude not to sample in the delights but as we had to go to see Scotland Rocks New York, our sampling time was limited. It was great to see how whisky is now being seen in a more a modern light. I know that in countries like China, it is seen as the trendy drink to be seen in your hand. Expos like last night can only help to push that image.

Scotland Rocks New York concert was absolutely brilliant. The sold out concert literally rocked with 650 young New Yorkers. The opening act was a local New York gal, Nicole Atkins (pictured here). It is always a daunting gig to be the first on stage…but with her sassy New York charm, she went down a storm. Look out for her debut album out in the summer. (http://www.nicoleatkins.com/) My favourite band on the night has to be the 1990’s. Fast, furious guitars, funny, down to earth…with everyone in the 3 piece taking a turn at singing. Their debut single has just come out and if they don’t become absolutely humongously huge, I will eat my saltire beanie hat! (www.1990s.tv). Headliners Sons and Daughters did not let the Scottish side down. Great show.

Last night belonged to the youth of New York who loved the Scottish bands. Stirling, one of our own Scottish cities is known as the City of Youth. Student representatives sit on Stirling Council’s Childrens Committee to ensure young people’s views shape decision making. Stirling has a great history too featuring legends such as Robert the Bruce and William Wallace. Robert Burns was also a fan. “Just now, by Stirling Castle, I have seen by the setting sun the glorious aspect of the windings of the Forth through the rich carse of Stirling.” (Carse is the Scots word for land beside the river).

Morag and Chuck
As tonight is their last night together, Morag and Chuck are going to Statue of Liberty and then dining in fine style in Soho. I know Morag is going to find it hard to pull away tomorrow but I’m sure they will keep in touch. They have so much in common. Morag is passionate about the earth and Chuck is very much involved in his local green action group to help reduce carbon emissions. Morag likes the New York accent. Chuck loves the Scottish accent. Morag likes The 1990’s. So does Chuck. They both love long drives and Scooby Doo. Tonight as a special surprise Chuck is going to wear a kilt, although he is slightly worried about leaving his bonnet exposed.

Signing off for now.

Yours aye,

Tam

Scots In New York

2007-04-04T12:46:00.000-07:00

Last night I heard something beautiful and uncanny. I was at the John Paul Jones : America’s Hero, Scotland’s Pirate talk at the New York Historical Society building on Central Park West. Before the talk began, we enjoyed some canapés and bubbly, courtesy of the Scottish Museums Council. Whilst we are all chatting loudly this ethereal gaelic singing voice glided over our heads. It was so moving that everyone immediately stopped talking. The music was by the multi media impresario, David Allison from Glasgow. The singer with the voice of an angel was Alyth McCormack. The songs they were playing were from The Island Tapes, a show that is on during Tartan Week at the same venue. (Please see http://www.theislandtapes.com/ for more info). I have never heard such a voice. It is the first time that I have ever been anywhere where the end of a song is followed by a collective sigh. Seriously, this was so touching, you almost wanted to cry. It got deep into your heart. You have to go and see this show.

Just as I was enjoying David’s band, Morag, my beloved Tartan camper van, went for a drive through Central Park with Chuck, the yellow NY taxi. I think they both know that on Friday, we are leaving, so they are trying to spend as much time together as possible. They went to Strawberry Fields and then parked up by the pond. Morag is very happy. She played All You Need Is Love all the way back to the hotel.

John Lennon loved this city because he could walk around it freely. There is so much to do from the Museum of Modern Art through to the fabulous shops on 5th Avenue. One of my favourite places though has to be the New York library. It has an amazing collection including lots of Scottish material. Harold Wallace Ross, who set up The New Yorker magazine, had a voluminous amount of correspondence in his collection. These are kept in the New York library. Scots have had an impact on other New York papers too. James Gordon Bennett was the Associate Editor of the New York Enquirer and Courier. He published the first edition of the New York Herald (the first paper to carry regular financial articles on Wall St) and carried out the paper’s first ever interview. He is buried in Greenwood Cemetery, Brooklyn in New York. Interestingly, it was a Scot named Henry M. Stanley who was sent by the New York Herald in 1869 to find Dr Livingstone, and it is he who uttered the famous words, “Dr Livingstone I presume” when he found Dr Livingstone in a small town in Africa.

Today is one busy day. We are off to Scotland within the British Memorial Garden concert. The memorial garden was set up in the memory of the British people who perished in the 9/11 attacks. The Garden is at Hanover Square (www.britishmemorialgarden.org). It will be beautiful when finished. Tonight is Whisky Live, We-entrepreneurs and then the Scotland Rocks concert (www.myspace.com/tartanweek). Phew! Morag wants me to get an autograph from the bands. I’ll see what I can do. Tonight Chuck has to work the late shift, so they are going to meet for early breakfast on Thursday at the drive through.

Your aye,

Tam

Dressed To Kilt

2007-04-03T12:43:00.000-07:00

Well last night was something else. The room was filled with flashing paparazzi cameras, tv crews, models, kilts, free whisky, blaring Scottish music and celebs such as Jason White (captain of the Scottish rugby team), Billy Boyd the Scottish star from The Hobbit and the legend that is, Donald Trump, with Ivanka, his daughter. Morag said she hadn’t so much fun since her brother took her to the VW Camper Van Annual Ball in Glasgow…which is a bit of a meet and greet event. When she was there, she got to meet the Mystery Machine from Scooby Doo. Apparently he is very nice in person….and looks good for his age too.

It is hard to know where to begin about last night. The show was an amazing spectacle. Set in the beautiful Capitale venue, models and some well known faces strutted their stuff for the rambunctious crowd. The Victoria Secret range in particular went down very well. Morag very much got into the swing of things and flashed her lights at some of the hunky men in kilts. Given my height restrictions referred to yesterday, I couldn’t quite get as many pics as I’d like…but below are a few to give you a taste of the night.

I spoke to so many folk last night including Raj from Tigerstyle who is here with his band to play their own form of Bhangra at the New Scotland New York gig on Thursday. Here he is photographed with First Secretary Michael Kellet. That should be a great night. I have to say, Laura McGhee looked simply stunning last night at Dressed To Kilt. She bounced about on the stage in her bare feet playing the electric fiddle. Just amazing….so very talented. You can also see Laura at the same gig this week. www.knittingfactory.com.

Keen on Aberdeen
It was good to see Donald Trump too, who is clearly proud of his Scottish roots, (from his mother’s side) and said so, to great applause last night. Donald hopes to build a championship golf resort near Aberdeen. He really couldn’t have chosen a better place. It is a great city. As Ian Crichton Smith put it, “Aberdeen for me is the flower of cities. My love for it will not fade, for it was here that my mind expanded and I learned about poetry and ideas”

For those of you who know little about Aberdeen, here are a few quick facts about the fabulous Flower of the North. Home to around 220,000 people, Aberdeen has a buoyant economy fuelled by the oil industry and is consequently known as the Oil Capital of Europe. Today it leads the fields of research in medical science, centered around the impressive Institute for Medical Studies. Ancestors of the king himself, aka Elvis, are also said to come from Aberdeen. Robert the Bruce loved the place so much that he awarded the city a total of six charters. It really is beautiful and yet modern and dynamic. If you come to Scotland, do add some time for Aberdeen….you will not regret it. Morag and I go there for long weekends and usually try to take in a show at His Majesty’s Theatre.

I better go for now. Morag’s engine is a bit tender last night after all her partying. I’m off to get her some nice engine coolant to take away the pain.

Yours aye,

Tam

Stars In My Eyes

2007-04-02T13:59:00.000-07:00

Well, last night was an unrivalled success. We caught a glimpse of the shows from the Edinburgh International and Fringe Festivals. The camptastic Craig Hill in his leather Howie kilt, was his usual outrageous self. The New York crowd loved him.

Not that I am one for name dropping, but you will not believe who I saw today singing outside the General Motors building at the end of 5th Avenue. It was foxy Cleopatra herself, Beyonce Knowles. The crowd were going mad. I was just hopping. Being vertically challenged I only caught a glimpse. If you look closely at this pic here and close in on the blurred image with the lovely hair, that is Beyonce. Really. You could tell the New York folk love their music. I can’t wait until Wednesday to see Scotland Rocks New York at the Bowery Room (www.scotlandrocksnewyork.com). With the 1990s and Sons and Daughters playing, with Belle and Sebastian dj-ing, it is going to be a great night. Scottish bands are going down a storm in the US these days. Glasgow in particular is thriving with new bands and it is good to see the US picking up on this. Fyi…loads of movies (Devil Wears Prada) and shows (Ugly Betty) feature music from Scottish bands. Also, on the topic of Hollywood movies, lots of well known stars chose Scottish surnames when they became famous. Who has ever heard of Lucille Fay Le Sueur aka Joan Crawford? How about Norman Jean Baker aka Marilyn Monroe? Archibald Leach aka Cary Grant? Does Issur Danielovitch ring a bell? He is the legendary Spartacus or Kirk Douglas as he preferred to be called. After Beyonce’s performance, she signed Morag’s wing mirror. Morag is a big fan. “There is nothing quite like driving across the beautiful Trossachs in Scotland with Beyonce booming out from the stereo” said Morag.

Beautiful New York
Now, I have to admit that before I came to NY, I had a preconception that the city was very new and therefore would not be able to compare historically to the Scottish cities. How wrong I was. Everywhere you go in New York there are beautiful statues. Many buildings are decorated with beautifully ornate carvings. Some of the entrances to buildings are just stunning. It really was an eye opener for me. I know that we Scots are proud of our history and beautiful architecture but so are the native New Yorkers. In Central Park, for example there are beautiful statues right across the park. Scots would be proud to know that thanks to the work of the St Andrew’s Society in New York, there are massive statues of Scots including Robert Burns and Walter Scott. What a city. I know now why people find it hard to leave New York. This city has everything.

For those interested in how Morag and Chuck are getting along, the quick answer is fabulously. Chuck bought Morag a little tourist NY kit. She now has a ‘I Love NY’ bumper badge. Morag was always worried about getting a bumper sticker as she thinks they don’t look so good when you get older, but this was from Chuck….and Morag likes Chuck….a lot.

Tonight I’m heading off to the Scottish fashion show, Dressed to Kilt. Morag and I will be celebrity spotting. Even though we saw Beyonce today, we are both very excited.
I’ll let you know all about it and the after show party tomorrow.

Yours aye,

Tam

A Man Apart

2007-04-01T13:01:00.000-07:00

Beautiful. Touching. Emotive. Awe inspiring. Just a few words that come to mind when I think of the stunning performance by Mike Moran last night in his one man play Did You Used to be R D Laing? Mike truly brought the real essence of R D Laing, who was no saint, to life. It was only fitting that Mike was heralded with numerous vociferous encores. Presiding Officer George Reid said that he was captivated from start to finish. He was not alone. One man shows are usually a slog, this one really wasn’t. I guess the highest praise Mike ever received was when R D Laing’s daughter spoke to him after the show and said that it was just like watching her father was on stage. Praise indeed. Mike, in his usual humble way, was very self depreciating about his performance. If you get an opportunity to see this show either in New York during Tartan Week or in the UK, please do. You will not be disappointed. For more details of this run, go to www.tartanweekny.com.

Run Scot Run
Talking of runs….today was the fantastic Scotland Run in Central Park. Over 7000 people from New York and around the globe ran today including Scotland’s very own First Secretary of Scottish Affairs, Michael Kellet. Michael ran a very respectable time of 51 minutes. Another Scot Alastair Hay from Queen Margaret University, aged 21 finished second in 30.46 minutes.

It was saltire flag and beanie hat heaven. For a short while, New York turned blue and white, with many participants opting to run in their kilts. I would have loved to have run but that furious golf ball incident prevents me from doing anything vaguely exercising….mmm…moving on. I met loads of great folk like Yvonne from Connecticut who came down especially for the run. Morag spent some time talking to the horse and carts that circle Central Park. One of the horses said that although it was slightly chilly, this was the best conditions for running. He should know. His father used to run at the Musselburgh races in Scotland. Morag gave them all saltire balloons to tie to their carts.

Tonight I’m off to the Edinburgh International and Fringe Festivals taster shows. Should be a hoot.

Here is a taste of the Scotland Run at Central Park. Where you there? If so, let me know how your day was.

Yours aye,

Tam

Oh What A Night!!!

2007-03-31T11:58:00.000-07:00

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!!!

2007-03-30T12:23:00.000-07:00

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!

2007-03-08T04:42:00.000-08:00

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