This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Tunes of Glory
07/01/2002
First Minister Jack McConnell today gave his backing to
the Tunes of Glory pipe band march through New York, which
will be staged as part of the annual Tartan Day
celebrations in April.
Speaking as he announced major sponsorship for the
event, Mr McConnell said:
"This year, Tartan Day looks set to be a very special
occasion when 10,000 pipers from all over the world take
part in the Tunes of Glory march through the streets of
Manhattan.
"I am pleased that Scottish Power also recognise the
importance of the event to Scotland by confirming today
that they are to be major sponsors of the parade.
"I am also delighted to confirm that two major cancer
charities - Marie Curie Cancer Care in Scotland and Gilda's
Club in the USA, stand to benefit from the event by around
$1 million "
"The parade was a huge success two years ago when 8,500
pipers marched through Princes Street in Edinburgh to mark
the Millennium. As the new First Minister I am pleased to
back the event which will see thousands of pipers put
Scotland on the map when they march through Manhattan."
The First Minister confirmed that tourism would
spearhead the Scottish element of Tartan Day in the States
on April 6. He added:
"As well as being a spectacular event in its own right,
Tunes of Glory will also play an important part in raising
Scotland's profile, not just in the USA but also much
further afield.
"Looking at new ways of promoting tourism both at home
and abroad will also be essential if Scotland is to start
recovering from the difficulties in 2001.
"The annual Tartan Day celebrations in America provide a
tremendous opportunity to raise Scotland's profile
throughout the United States and give a much needed boost
to Scottish tourism.
"At a time when both our tourism industries are feeling
the effects of the events of September 11, Tartan Day gives
us the chance to rebuild confidence on both sides of the
Atlantic and develop existing links between the two
countries.
Organisers of Tunes of Glory, Epic Concepts, hope to set
a new world record with 10,000 pipers from all over the
world taking part in the march.
The Executive is putting £100,000 through VisitScotland
into the core funding for these activities. In addition,
VisitScotland is putting in a further £50,000 to promote
tourism in the United States. The £100,000 cash injection
is part of the £6.9 million given to VisitScotland by the
Scottish Executive to promote tourism in the wake of the
foot and mouth outbreak. A total of £10 million was
announced to help recovery after the foot and mouth
outbreak, the remainder went agriculture, food, environment
and community level recovery initiatives.
It is planned to raise the $1 million for the charities
by three means:
- Players individual sponsorship - pipers will
undertake their own fundraising in aid of the
charities,
- Fundraising functions,
- Corporate donations.