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CELEBRATE NATIONAL TARTAN DAY APRIL 6
Get your tartan out of the closet!
HUNTERSVILLE, NC: A national holiday for all Scottish Americans, National Tartan Day is Sunday, April 6, 2008. Rural Hill, Center of Scottish Heritage, and the Catawba Valley Scottish Society invite you to wear your tartan to celebrate. Need a tartan to wear? In 1981, a Carolinas Tartan was designed by the Scottish Tartan Society and was adopted as the official tartan of the Catawba Valley Scottish Society. Scarves and other clothing are available for purchase through the gift shop at www.ruralhill.net.
From the framers of the Declaration of Independence to the first man on the moon, Scottish-Americans have contributed mightily to the fields of the arts, science, politics, law, and more. Today, over eleven million Americans claim Scott and Scots-Irish roots, making them the eighth largest ethnic group in the United States. These are the people and accomplishments that are honored on National Tartan Day. April 6 has a special significance for Americans of Scottish descent because the Declaration of Arbroath, the Scottish Declaration of Independence, was signed on April 6, 1320, and the American Declaration of Independence was modeled on that inspirational document. There are more than 200 organizations throughout the United States that honor Scottish heritage, tradition and culture, representing the hundreds of thousands of Americans of Scottish descent residing in every state.
In addition to national recognition, the Board of County Commissioners proclaimed April 6 as Tartan Day and April as Scottish Heritage Month in Charlotte and Mecklenburg County. There are many signs of those early Scottish settlers still found in the metropolitan Charlotte area. The flag of the City of Charlotte is the St. Andrew's Cross, the flag of Scotland, with the City of Charlotte's seal in the center. The most notable historic parallel is the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence. Although not signed until May 20, 1775, the influence and independent spirit of those Scottish Barons set an example that reverberated across the centuries.
Scottish Heritage celebrations will continue at Rural Hill April 18-20 with the Fifteenth Annual Loch Norman Highland Games. You don’t have to be Scottish to enjoy the food, fun and camaraderie of competition. For more information, visit www.ruralhill.net. While online, you can also sign up for the “2009 Gathering in Edinburgh” and tour of Scotland. The tour includes accommodations for nine nights, luxury coach and guide for seven days. This tour has been designed by Rural Hill Executive Director Ed McLean and mcleanscotland.
Rural Hill is located at 4431 Neck Road (off Beatties Ford Road) in Huntersville, 28078. The former homestead of Major John and Violet Davidson, the 265 acre historical land mark is preserved and maintained by The Catawba Valley Scottish Society (CVSS). Rural Hill features annual events such as The Loch Norman Highland Games, the Amazing Maize Maze, The Spirit of the Hornet’s Nest (Revolutionary War battle reenactments) and The Rural Hill Sheepdog Trials. For more information on events or for financial support accepted securely online, please visit www.ruralhill.net.
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Rural Hill is
located at 4431 Neck Road (off Beatties Ford Road) in Huntersville, 28078.
The former homestead of Major John and Violet Davidson, the 265 acre site is
maintained and promoted by The Catawba Valley Scottish Society (CVSS).
Rural Hill features annual events such as The Lock Norman Highland Games,
The Amazing Maize Maze, The Spirit of the Hornet’s Nest (battle
reenactments) and The Rural Hill Sheepdog Trials. CVSS is a non-profit
organization supported through membership and donations. For more
information on events or for financial support accepted securely online,
please visit
www.ruralhill.net.
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