In Scotland, the Tartan Day Scotland Festival takes place at the beginning of April each year. Tartan Day is the anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Arbroath in 1320 at Arbroath Abbey. The abbey’s red sandstone ruins are still standing, more or less, but what happened almost 700 years ago, inside its walls, stands proud. Today, the residents of Scotland celebrate all that is good about their small country, such as its history, its culture, its people, its heritage and its legacy to the world.
Some events celebrate with the re-enactment of the signing of the Declaration of Arbroath; tattoos (massed band and bagpipe concerts); or Highland games. Some say Tartan Day is the historical occasion that is considered the basis for the American Declaration of Independence, which is another reason why Tartan Day is celebrated among Americans of Scottish descent.
The National Holiday for All Scottish-Americans
Americans of Scottish descent have played a large role in the growth of the United States as a new country. From John Hancock, first signer of America’s Declaration of Independence to Neil Armstrong, the first man on the moon, Scottish-Americans have also contributed mightily to the fields of the arts, law, and more. Over eleven million Americans claim Scottish and Scotch-Irish roots, which is why America celebrates these people, and their accomplishments, on Tartan Day, April 6th, 2014.
Americans of Scottish descent have played a large role in the growth of the United States as a new country. From John Hancock, first signer of America’s Declaration of Independence to Neil Armstrong, the first man on the moon, Scottish-Americans have also contributed mightily to the fields of the arts, law, and more. Over eleven million Americans claim Scottish and Scotch-Irish roots, which is why America celebrates these people, and their accomplishments, on Tartan Day, April 6th, 2014.
This official day of recognition only came about fairly recently, in 1997. National Tartan Day of April 6 was officially recognized on a permanent basis when the U.S. Senate and the House of Representatives passed resolutions recognizing April 6th as National Tartan Day. Canada has been celebrating "National Tartan Day" since 1993.
How Will You Celebrate?
As a proud American, and the daughter and mother of veterans, I join Scots, and Americans of Scottish descent, who are encouraged to wear their modern kilts or ancient plaids anywhere and everywhere. Many communities host parades, Highland games or festivals, special church services, and more. Tartan Day is also an unofficial start of the Highland games season. The nice weather is a chance to wear Highland attire and shop the various clothing, souvenir, and food vendors. Anyone in the mood for meat pies, bridies, or shortbread cookies? Yum!
Nancy Lee Badger’s latest release is My Lady Highlander, a Scottish time travel romance. This is Book #1 of Kilted Athletes Through Time. Here is the book blurb:
Isobel MacHamish escaped a betrothal in ancient Scotland. She rebuilt her life in present-day New England, yet something-or someone-is missing. Arson, thievery, a stalker, and a handsome caber-tossing athlete turn her world upside down.
Bryce Buchanan saves a pretty woman-twice. Sent back to ancient Scotland-again-he is trapped between the skittish woman, and a man pressuring her into marriage. Battles, swords, a Scottish brownie, and a power-hungry laird make ‘Bull’ want to head home to New England.
to escape her former lover, and his murderous, father, Izzy finds her inner warrior. And, when the handsome athlete shows her what falling in love can bring, she is torn, because keeping her hands to herself is one battle she will never win.
Buy Links:
Amazon ebook link
Amazon print link
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About the Author
Nancy Lee Badger, author of twelve books filled with romance, loves chocolate-chip shortbread and wool plaids wrapped around the trim waist of a Scottish Highlander. Her stories tempt you with the clang of broadswords, and the sound of bagpipes in the air. After growing up in Huntington, New York, and raising two handsome sons in New Hampshire, she moved to North Carolina where she writes full-time. Nancy is a member of Romance Writers of America, Heart of Carolina Romance Writers, Fantasy-Futuristic & Paranormal Romance Writers, Triangle Area Freelancers, and the Celtic Heart Romance Writers.
Connect with Nancy Lee Badger
Blog nancyleebadger.blogspot.com
Website nancyleebadger.com
Twitter twitter.com/NLBadger
Facebook facebook.com/NancyLeeBadgerAuthor
Goodreads link
Nancy Lee Badger, author of twelve books filled with romance, loves chocolate-chip shortbread and wool plaids wrapped around the trim waist of a Scottish Highlander. Her stories tempt you with the clang of broadswords, and the sound of bagpipes in the air. After growing up in Huntington, New York, and raising two handsome sons in New Hampshire, she moved to North Carolina where she writes full-time. Nancy is a member of Romance Writers of America, Heart of Carolina Romance Writers, Fantasy-Futuristic & Paranormal Romance Writers, Triangle Area Freelancers, and the Celtic Heart Romance Writers.
Connect with Nancy Lee Badger
Blog nancyleebadger.blogspot.com
Website nancyleebadger.com
Twitter twitter.com/NLBadger
Facebook facebook.com/NancyLeeBadgerAuthor
Goodreads link
Amazon Author Page link
GIVEAWAY
Be the first to win an ebook of Nancy’s latest release, My Lady Highlander by leaving a comment answering this question: How would YOU celebrate Tartan Day?
Be the first to win an ebook of Nancy’s latest release, My Lady Highlander by leaving a comment answering this question: How would YOU celebrate Tartan Day?
Mahalo, Nancy, for sharing Tartan Day with us! Comments are open through Saturday, April 12, 10 pm in Baltimore. I'll post the winner on Sunday, April 13.
Mahalo,
Kim in Baltimore
Aloha Spirit in Charm City
Well, I haven't done much of anything today but rest. Next Saturday I'll be at the Loch Norman Highland Games in NC trying Haggis and watching the games. Plus Saor Patrol will be playing. Really looking forward to it!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the chance in the giveaway! I have My Honorable Highlander on my Kindle. I'm moving it up my list to read. :)
I will be at Loch Norman too! You can find me at the Gunn Clan tent, or the MacBean tent, or near my print books being sold by the Near & far Scottish Shop of Charlotte at their vendor tent!
DeleteBy listening to bagpipe music.
ReplyDeleteReading a book, of course.
ReplyDeleteReading a Scottish romance & eating shortbread
ReplyDeleteI have to try a shortbread recipe I have not used in quite a while because I will appear on another blog where we share recipes. Watch my Nancy Lee Badger, Author page for updates.
DeleteI would love to go to a tattoo. Maybe once I retire I will travel to see one and celebrate that way..
ReplyDeleteI would love to see their parades and hear their bagpipes.
ReplyDeleteI would love to attend one of the parades, so that's where I would be.
ReplyDeleteThanks for hosting me today, Kim. The sun is shining, our American flag is flying, and hubby is THINKING of wearing his kilt to work. Hmm...
ReplyDeleteI too would love to see the parades but reading a Scottish novel is probably what I could do.
ReplyDeleteThat I can help you with! I have 7 (?) Scottish-themed books...some with DRAGONS!
DeleteNancy Lee
Happy Tartan Day! We have been to the Scottish Highland Festival games a few times here in San Diego. It's such a fun festival!
ReplyDeleteYes, I would love to read your book. I would celebrate it by dreaming of a Scottish hunk.
ReplyDeleteHappy Tartan Day!...Have My Honorable, Banished and Reluctant Highlanders on my kindle, and I'll be reading away the day. Love my highlanders...
ReplyDeleteThanks Suzy! You will recognize a few characters in My Lady Highlander, then, though I have new villains. Got to have bad guys!
DeleteNancy Lee
Thank you for the informative post!
ReplyDeleteCelebrating today by---cleaning the house?
I didn't know there was a tartan day, and with a Scottish last name like Cameron, you'd think the entire family would know. Loved the post!
ReplyDeleteGlad I could use my teaching degree through my writing. Mom will be proud. Many places, including NY City, have parades. There are more people of scottish descent living in America and Canada than living in Scotland.
DeleteNancy Lee
Gladly read a Scottish tale while nursing a nice cup of tea. :)
ReplyDeletewith some food
ReplyDeleteI'd celebrate by eating, of course and with my very own highlander. Who knows maybe I'll get him in a tartan :)
ReplyDeleteYou can try! I had to keep hubby from wearing his kilt to work, so we fashioned a ribbon off the MacBean plaid. He had to explain to several people why he wore it. If he had worn his kilt (not allowed) he would not have gotten any work done! He will wear it this weekend at the Loch Norman Highland Games in Huntersville, NC.
DeleteNancy Lee
I didn't realize there was a Tartan Day. However, my beloved deceased husband of 39 years and I were married on April 6, 1974. We always went out to eat to celebrate our anniversary. Yesterday would have been our 40th anniversary. I went out to dinner with his youngest brother (my age) and his wife last night. We had a great time and I could feel Dan's presence in the restaurant with us.
ReplyDeleteSorry for your loss, but happy you made a day to celebrate your anniversary and your husband's memory. My guy and I will celebrate 38 years soon. Time flies (and he still looks great in his kilt)
DeleteNancy Lee
I didn't know about Tartan Day, but I'm all for it. I'd love to see my hubby in a kilt. He's 6'10" tall and has great legs! I'd also have to make haggis. ;)
ReplyDeleteMarcy Shuler
Haggis? I shudder at the thought, but I have eaten it. 6'10"? That would require A LOT of plaid wool!
DeleteNancy Lee
I'd celebrate with a nice dinner.
ReplyDeleteI'd celebrate Tartan Day by gathering my sister and brother with their children and grandchildren, along with my children and grandchildren, together for a feast, complete with our tartan colors of three shades of blue with red stripe pattern (Logan branch of McClellan clan from Isle of Skye). I'd have to do some research to find out what I could serve that would be "very" Scottish, but it would NOT be haggis. Sorry about that. :-) Thanks for the post and hello to Nancy! jdh2690@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteMay I suggest starting the meal with Scotch broth made of barley, lamb, and carrots? For the meal, the double-crusted meat pies with spiced meat filling are fantastic! Finish with Scottish shortbread! Yum!
DeleteNancy Lee
I'd never heard of Tartan Day. Hope you have a fabulous time at Loch Norman and sell tons of books, Nancy!
ReplyDeleteGreat post, Nancy! As an American with considerable Scots ancestry, I find your blog posts very interesting and informative!
ReplyDeleteThanks Linda. I try to share the research I gather while working on my books. This weekend, at the games, I am sponsoring the Longbow competition...watch for the Longbow in My Lady Highlander and it will appear again, soon.
DeleteNancy Lee Badger
I celebrated Tartan Day by touring Carnegie Mellon University with my son. The scottish tradition is alive and well there. I am proud to say my son will be a CMU Tartan next year and we may have to buy him a kilt.
ReplyDeleteNancy's books are on my TBR list and I love checking out her blog pics from the Highland Games. Congrats on yet another release, Nancy!
ReplyDelete