Attention New York: The Scots Are Coming!

NEW YORK, March 30, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The Scots are in town and gearing up to make their mark on New York City as Scotland Week 2011 kicks off on April 3, 2011.  

A week-long celebration of Scottish-American heritage and culture, Scotland Week incorporates a program of events that offer a little taste of Scotland to New Yorkers with something to suit everyone: Scotland lovers, foodies, culture and music enthusiasts, athletes and fashionistas alike. Scotland Week includes the popular Scotland Run, Dressed to Kilt fashion show, Tartan Day Parade, Whisky Live and the U.S. Premiere of "The Promise."  More than 350,000 U.S. visitors per year take vacations in Scotland. There are almost 1,000 Scottish Associations and clubs in America and more than nine million Americans claim Scottish/ Irish ancestry.

The 8th Annual Scotland Run – A New York Road Runners event and an ING New York City Marathon qualifying 10K run through Central Park at 9 a.m. on Sunday, April 10.  With bagpipers, kilts and drums leading the charge, this one-of-a-kind race continues to attract avid runners and Scottish enthusiasts. For the first time, a Scottish festival at Mineral Springs will feature live music from Scottish band Skerryvore; smoothie bikes, a nod to Scotland's renewable energy credentials that allows participants to power their own blended smoothie; and traditional Scottish dancers performing ceilidh dances. There is also the chance to get involved and be part of the largest Strip the Willow ceilidh dance.

"With a 10K run as its centerpiece, the Scotland Run has something for everyone," said New York Road Runners president and CEO Mary Wittenberg.  "Runners, friends, and family can enjoy a fun-filled day celebrating the best of Scotland. Lucky for me, I am a bit Scottish every day, but everyone – no matter heritage – can be a wee bit Scottish on Sunday, April 10."

Dressed to Kilt – Hot Scots and bold-faced names take Manhattan by storm and get "Dressed to Kilt" at the ninth annual charity event, this year taking place on Tuesday, April 5 at Hammerstein Ballroom. Sir Sean and Lady Connery serve as Honorary Chairmen. The show is a celebration of Caledonian culture, fabric, art, music, whisky and most notably, fashion, Dressed to Kilt showcases a range of styles from traditional Highland kilts and cutting-edge looks from young Scottish talent, to world-renowned designer fashions and haute couture.  This year's show features looks by celebrated designers, from world-renowned fashion houses like Alexander McQueen and Vivienne Westwood.

With celebrity participants including Donald Trump and wife Melania Trump, actors Matt Bomer (White Collar), Matthew Settle (Gossip Girl) and Kyle MacLachlan, former Victoria's Secret model and actress Selita Ebanks, Bravo's Bethenny Frankel of Bethenny Ever After, Broadway actor Matthew Modine, and Grammy award-winning singer-songwriter Amy Grant, and many more.

Tartan Day Parade – Taking place on Saturday, April 9, the Tartan Day Parade will see pipers, drummers and members of Scottish organizations and clans from across North America, proudly march shoulder to shoulder with Scottish pipers who have flown in to take part in the parade.  As one of the largest massed pipes and drums gatherings outside Scotland, the stirring beat of the drums, the haunting skirl of the pipes and the vibrant tartans provide a truly amazing spectacle as they make their way down Avenue Of The Americas.  

Whisky Live – Whisky Live New York returns to the spectacular Pier Sixty creating a magnificent evening of great whisky tasting, fine food and wonderful entertainment in the heart of New York. Whether a seasoned whisky lover or novice, participants can taste rare whiskies, increase their knowledge of Scottish Whisky, and meet the whisky experts.

"The Promise" – This year's Scotland Week brings the U.S. premiere of award-winning Scottish playwright Douglas Maxwell's production, "The Promise," at New York's 59E59 Theater.  "The Promise" opened on March 29 and will run through April 17.  Inspired by true events, the play features one of Scotland's most well-known actresses, Joanna Tope in the lead role.

Scotland Week, which runs from April 3–10, 2011, is an annual  week-long celebration of Scotland in the USA and Canada. It includes Tartan Day on April 6. Scotland Week is part of an ongoing programme of engagement with North American organizations, businesses, tour operators, media and consumers through a targeted programme of events and other engagements. The week's activities include experiences for foodies, music enthusiasts, theatre goers, athletes, fashionistas and more, all focusing on bringing an authentic Scottish experience to the New York City area. www.scotland.org/scotland-week or www.Facebook.com/AboutScotland1.

Headquartered in New York City, New York Road Runners is dedicated to advancing the sport of running, enhancing health and fitness for all, and meeting our community's needs. Our goal is to use the expertise acquired in our 52-year history to empower all people to live fitter, healthier lives through participation in our races, community events, instruction and training resources, and youth programs. Our races and other events draw more than 300,000 people each year. The ING New York City Marathon, NYRR's premier event, is the largest and most inclusive marathon in the world, attracting the world's top professional runners every year and raising $30.8 million for charity in 2010.  NYRR's running-based youth programs, which currently serve more than 100,000 children in hundreds of schools and community centers, promote children's health and fitness, character development, and personal achievement in underserved communities. For more information, visit www.nyrr.org.

Media Contacts:
Emily Clark
Weber Shandwick
[email protected]
(212) 445-8246

Seagren Doran
Weber Shandwick
[email protected]
(212) 445-8335

SOURCE The Scottish Government