Orcadian to marshal Tartan Day pipers

A massive world record breaking attempt in New York to form the largest pipe band in the world – and a celebration of the close links between Scotland and America – will be under the control of an Orkney man.

Stromness man James G. Brown, who now lives in Whitekirk, near Dunbar, will be in charge of marshalling the entire parade – which will have at least 9,300 pipers and drummers taking part – on what is also national Tartan Day.

The organisers and and sponsors, Scottish Power, will not know until the day - Saturday, April 6 – if they have been successful in setting a new world record.

Former policeman Mr Brown, the son of former Orkney County Council convener, the late Councillor Donald Brown and Lenore Brown of Oglaby, Stromness, was made MBE for his services to forestry and arboricultural industries.

He runs a forestry company and saw mill at Tyninghame called James Brown & Son, but he also has a couple of farms in Stromness.

Mr Brown was given the huge task of parade chief marshal, after his experience organising other, smaller parades in Edinburgh. Six other Scottish marshals and around 50 New York police officers will aid him in keeping the event running smoothly.

The record attempt, called “Tunes of Glory” will unite pipers and drummers of all ages, abilities and give them the chance to contribute to the well-being of people with cancer.

The money raised by Tunes of Glory will go into a trust fund that will be divided among a number of beneficiaries. The two main to benefit will be Marie Curie Cancer Care and Gilda’s Club.

Marie Curie is the UK’s most comprehensive cancer care charity while Gilda’s Club Worldwide, based in New York City, is the headquarters organisation for Gilda’s Club the international network of meeting places where those with cancer and their families and friends give and receive social and emotional support.

In addition to these two charities, which between them will receive 90 per cent of the profits, it has been decided that the remainder will be given to the Piping Centre in Glasgow to help develop their library and the pipe bands of the New York Police Department and Fire Department New York.

The parade begins on West 43rd, 44th and 45th Street on 6th Avenue and will march north in blocks between 100-150 people.

Mr Brown is unsure whether anyone from Orkney is taking part in the parade as he could not find any Orcadians on the list.

“There are some from Shetland and Wick but I could not see any from Orkney. However, if there are any from Orkney planning to come over, I would love to talk to them at the parade.”

Scotland’s First Minister Jack McConnell, actor Sean Connery and the mayor of New York all plan to be at the event.

But while the parade is of importance, national Tartan Day is a chance for Scottish and Americans to reaffirm their friendships.

Numerous groups and societies throughout Canada and America have taken the anniversary of the Declaration of Arbroath (1320) as their national date to celebrate their Scottish roots.

On December 19, 1991, in response to action initiated by the Clans and Scottish Societies of Canada, the Ontario Legislature passed a resolution proclaiming April 6 as Tartan Day. America followed suit on March 20, 1998, when Senate Resolution 155, proposed by US Senate Republican majority leader Trent Lott, was passed unanimously.

“It is going to be a wonderful day,” Mr Brown said. “A lot of people have worked very hard to make this happen. It is important that we also push Orkney while we are in New York.”

Mr Brown, who is also vice-president of the Royal Scottish Forestry Society, said a tree planting ceremony at New York’s Central Park was planned for Friday, April 5.

lorraine.shearer@orcadian.co.uk