The pipes and drums bring a touch of tartan to New York
By Lorraine Shearer
(From The Orcadian dated April 25, 2002)

A friendly invasion of Scots thronged the streets of New York during a world-record breaking march to celebrate Tartan Day and a money-spinner for charities. Pictured standing together are chief marshal James Brown, left, of Stromness, and Murray MacDonald, who is married to Orcadian Irene Kemp. (Picture: Colin Dickson)

Amazing scenes of tartan-clad pipe bands marching through the streets of New York failed to set a new world record – but will go down in Scots and American history as a massive fundraiser for cancer charities – and is partly due to the efforts of an Orkney-man.

To date, the attempt to create the world’s largest pipe band has raised £300,000 ($459,000) for Marie Curie Cancer Care and Gilda’s Club, in Scotland and America, and although organisers failed to meet the 10,000 target, they are delighted with the response.

The event, which attracted 7,820 pipers and drummers on Tartan Day, on Saturday, April 6, in New York, was overseen by Stromness man James G. Brown, who now lives near Dunbar.

Mr Brown, who was parade chief marshal on the day, hails the whole event as a huge success and says he would do it all again for charity and the “sake of Scotland”.

Former policeman Mr Brown, the son of former Orkney County Council convener, the late Councillor Donald Brown and Lenore Brown of Oglaby, Stromness, said: “Everyone turned up early and just before start off, Sean Connery arrived with a hive of reporters, followed by the mayor and Jack McConnell, Scotland’s First Minister. Then it started to snow.

“We got the parade started early and it was an unforgettable sight. The pipers and drummers put on an incredible show, drawing gasps from the crowd as each band passed. Comments from the crowd made it all worthwhile. This was total support for New York and they appreciated it.”

The record attempt, which was sponsored by Scottish Power, was called “Tunes of Glory” and united pipers and drummers of all ages and abilities.

National Tartan Day is also used as a chance to celebrate and widen the close links between Americans and Scots.

Mr Brown admitted there had been a few hiccups on the day, but said that was not unexpected for an event of this size.

“Thirty-six hours before the start we were told by the police that the assembly streets had been changed, obviously taking us away from the ongoing Middle East demonstrations in Times Square, a good decision by the police but depriving us of the signs we had negotiated to be put up as rendezvous points.”

Pipe bands are perhaps known for their love of a refreshment or two after a hard day’s playing and one of the most commonly asked questions was why there hadn’t been a beer tent set up in Central Park.

The answer: “Unfortunately, it’s illegal to sell alcohol from Central Park,” according to the official website.

One of the other grumbles related to the absence of an after-parade party. The key problem with that was trying to find a venue big enough for the number of people and one that would fit within a budget close to the parade route.

Mr Brown paid credit to the bands, who paid their own way to New York.

“I found the experience moving and was proud to be part of it,” he added.

One of the Orcadians to take part in the event was Les Donaldson, who played, along with his son Christopher (10), as members of the Tulloch Nairn Pipe Band.

Orcadians Les Donaldson and his ten-year-old son Christopher were part of the Tulloch Nairn Pipe Band, pictured above, marching along New YorkÕs Fifth Avenue on Tartan Day.

Mr Donaldson, who lives in Nairn, said: “On the day of the parade, it was cold with blustery snow showers. However, prior to our departure to the start line, all 33 members of the band headed for Madison Square Gardens for a tune up and impromptu performance.

“The crowd was excellent and during the many breaks their constant cheering did much to spur the bands on. Gone were the promises of a post event venue, the whole affair seemed a total anti-climax, apart from a brief performance by Scottish Power Pipe Band.”

He added that perhaps the real success of the event lay not within the event itself, but within the amount of money raised.

A former assistant manager at the Bank of Scotland in Kirkwall, Mr Murray MacDonald, who is married to Irene Kemp of Kemp’s Drapers in Kirkwall, was also piping during the parade with the Edinburgh Postal Pipe Band.

Mr MacDonald, who lives in Skye, actually met James Brown during the day and wrote in a letter to him after the event: “Despite what anyone says, New York was a tremendous success and a day I will never forget.”

lorraine.shearer@orcadian.co.uk