The full schedule of events can be found at the tartanweek.com website. Here's a flavour of some of the stuff that we're involved in.

Tartan Specials in New York!

This year sees the US live debut of the Tartan Specials! Despite forming in New York 5 years ago, the band is now based back in Scotland and hasn't yet played this side of the atlantic.

Following a string of sold out shows in Scotland in 2007 (including Glasgow Green!) the band are looking forward to playing New York. They'll be on at the Scotland on Stone St event on Friday the 4th (at Beckett's), helping warm up before the parade on the Saturday in St Andrews then topping it all off at the official post-parade party at Stout.

Scotland on Stone St - Friday, April 4th, 5pm til late

A new event this year, the bars down on Stone St in the financial district (Ulysses, Stone St Tavern, Beckett's) are joining in the fun all week. On the Friday night (April 4th), we'll have the Tartan Specials performing live at Beckett's followed by a Scottish DJ. We'll be meeting up there before the football match (see below) and and heading back down after the game as well.

The Parade - Saturday, April 5th, 2pm

we only sing when it's sunny

We're the Famous Tartan Army and we're off to Central Park

Join the parade! March up 6th Avenue as part of the Tartan Army group - everybody is encouraged to join in, visitors and locals alike. Marching up 6th avenue amongst the massed pipers, singing and waving to the crowd is quite a surreal experience. When you hear the noise...

As you can see from the photos from last year's parade (and the year before), the Tartan Army section has been growing each year, and we even had sunny weather for the first time last year.

We'll be meeting between noon and 1pm at St Andrews, on 44th Street between 6th Avenue and Broadway. The more Scottish the attire the better (but please no club colours). Most of the parade meets up here beforehand, but we should be pretty easy to spot as we will undoubtedly be the scruffiest bunch in the place and one of us will be at the bar either getting a round in or, more likely, trying to scrounge one from somebody else. Ask around for Malky. There will be live music at St Andrews before the parade, including a first-ever acoustic set from the Tartan Specials. Note: if it gets too crowded to get in, there's usually some Tartan Army overflow into Jimmy's Corner next door.

After the parade... it's traditional to retire and recuperate at a local tavern before heading to the official party... this year we're planning on going to Deacon Brodie's (370 W 46th St, between 8th and 9th Aves).

The Post-Parade Party - Saturday, April 5th, 4:30pm

The official post-parade party at Stout kicks off at 4:30pm and has live music from the Tartan Specials, the Red Hot Chilli Pipers and MacTalla Mor (all acts tbc) - see tartanweek.com for details. Note that advance tickets are required.

The 6th Annual NYC TA Tartan Day Party - Saturday, April 5, 9pm

This year's festivities are planned for Deacon Brodie's (370 W 46th St, between 8th and 9th Aves). See you all there...

The 3rd Annual Tartan Army Football Match - Friday Evening, April 4th

8.30pm Kick-off - Scotland Visitors to play Scotland New York supporters in the Third Annual Tartan Army NYC International Football Challenge Match. It's one victory each so far in what has been a competitive game for the last two years. Squads for both teams are now full.

If you're interested in watching, meet at Lederhosen's (39 Grove Street) at 7.30pm for the piped procession to the field. The match will be played at Pier 40 (W Houston Street and West Street). Post-game festivities will be held at Botanica (47 E. Houston St).

What Else Is On?

The official New York Tartan Day site has a comprehensive list of all the Scottish events going on. If we hear of anything particularly interesting, we'll list it here.

Scottish bands playing NYC:

May 14 Jill Leighton (Don't Tell Mama)
May 27 Frightened Rabbit (Pianos)
May 28 KT Tunstall (Town Hall)
Jun 2 Jill Leighton (Midway)
Jun 13 Fratellis (Webster Hall)
Jun 14 The Orchids (Music Hall of Williamsburg)
Jun 18 Fish (BB Kings)
Aug 19 Rod Stewart (Jones Beach)
Aug 20 Rod Stewart (PNC Bank Arts Center)
Sep 19 Mogwai (All Tomorrow's Parties NY)

To find out what non-Tartan Day events are on, the best bet is to buy a copy of Time Out New York. If you want to catch a good local or touring band playing in the city, the best site is ohmyrockness.com.

General Info

Weather Forecast | Weather Maps | Weather Radar

Safety & Crime

New York, especially Manhattan, is very safe these days and there is much less petty crime compared to, say, Glasgow or London. But as always, take normal precautions as it's likely that a hoard of kilted up Scotsmen and women might stand out as not being local. Take care around Times Square where pick-pockets work.

Getting Around

The subway is fast, cheap and safe. Buy a metrocard at any station for either a set amount of money (at $2 a trip) or unlimited use ($7/day or $24/week). Metrocards will also work on the buses which are slower but let you see more of the city.

Taxis are plentiful and reasonably priced, with most trips costing between $5 and $15, and can be quite a thrill-ride given the driving styles of NY cabbies. Taxis take four passengers.

Weather

The weather in April is pretty unpredictable - the last few Tartan Days have all been blessed with typical Glasgow weather but maybe this year we'll get a scorcher. Check the forecast at weather.com.

Useful Links

Add Your Comments!

Add your comments!

Billy @ 03/16/08 09:10am:
Most importantly - remember to tip your bar staff - about $1 per drink does it. It's how they make a living and in a good bar you'll get a buyback soon enough.
Gael @ 03/21/08 03:04am:
No Scocha this year?
:(
ron @ 03/22/08 02:02am:
looking forward to watching the rangers game wth malky on the thursday