Scottish Events - Washington, DC - Virginia - Maryland

Scottish Events in the Washington, DC Metropolitan Area and Surrounding Areas - Scottish Activities


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Scottish Events in the Washington, DC Metropolitan Area and Surrounding Areas

This page contains a list of current Scottish activities and events in the Washington, DC metropolitan area, Virginia, Maryland, West Virginia, and also other, more distant events that are often attended by residents of this area. Some of these are specifically related to Scottish heritage, and others are of a more general interest. Some items contain links to related pages.

Upcoming Events - Events Calendars of Various Groups in the DC Metropolitan Area - Weekly Events - Monthly Events - Annual Events - Concerts - Tartan Day - National Scots, Scots-Irish Heritage Month
Significant Scottish Heritage Events in Scotland - Events outside the Washington, DC Area - Non-Scottish, Non-Celtic Heritage events that are not necessarily related to Scottish heritage or Scotland - Parking in Old Town Alexandria, VA.

Upcoming Events

General Events

January 27 - The Peace in Fredericksburg Concert Series presents CASTLEBAY, Maine’s Premier Celtic Folk Duo of Fred Gosbee and Julia Lane, 7:00 p.m., Peace United Methodist Church, just off Rt 3 west of I-95, 801 Maple Grove Drive, Fredericksburg, VA, 786-8585, Admission: $8 / person; $15 / couple and $20 max. / family. Celebrating Celtic music, and the 253rd Birthday of the favorite son and lyrical bard of Scotland, Robert Burns.

January 28 - The Celtic Society of Southern Maryland's Winter Celtic Music Festival hosted by the students of St. Mary's Ryken [Music] Workshops will be held from 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. followed by the evening concert at 8 p.m. at St. Mary's Ryken High School, Romauld Hall Auditorium, 22600 Camp Calvert Road Leonardtown, MD. Email fiddling@cssm.org, or call 301-375-0534 for more details.

February 4 - The Northern Virginia Firefighters' Emerald Society Pipe Band annual fundraiser, 5:00 - 8:00 p.m., Finnegan's Irish Pub, 2310 Woodland Crossing Dr, Herndon, VA 20171

February 6 - Archie Fisher in Concert, 7:30 p.m., Saint Mark Presbyterian Church, 10701 Old Georgetown Road, Rockville, MD. Tickets: $18 advance, $22 door, Student with ID: $14 advance / $18 door Information: call 301-754-3611 and visit www.imtfolk.org. Master guitarist, singer and songwriter Archie Fisher is Scotland's foremost troubadour and is known throughout the country as the host of BBC Radio Scotland's award-winning 'Travelling Folk' show, which he has presented for over 25 years.

The Old Brogue Irish Pub of Great Falls, VA and Barnaby Productions, Inc. present the 8th season of family friendly, fall traditional Celtic concerts, a 5 week series of top quality music from the British Isles, Brittany (France), the Celtic areas of Northern Spain, and the Americas, staged in the Snuggery (dining room). Featuring nationally recognized Celtic musicians, the concerts are performed in a listening room by the fireside. WHERE: The Old Brogue Irish Pub, 760-C Walker Road, Great Falls, VA 22066; WHEN: 6 consecutive Sundays in February and March: 2/5, 12, 19, 26 and 3/4 and 11, 2012.. There are 3 sittings for each concert: 4:00, 6:00, and 8:00 p.m. TICKETS: Reservations must be made in advance at the Old Brogue. Season tickets may be purchased for $65 for all 5 concerts. Individual concerts are $15 each. Call 703-759-3309.

Burns Suppers

Events Calendars of Various Groups in the DC Metropolitan Area

Local organizations' calendars of events may be found at the following locations:

Weekly Events

Each Monday evening at 8:00 p.m. The Scottish Country Dance Society of Washington, DC has Scottish Country Dancing lessons at NIH Campus Bldg 39 at Wisconsin Ave. & South Drive, Bethesda, MD. For details contact J. MacLeod at 301-622-5945 or 240-505-0339.

Monthly Events

Members of the Saint Andrew's Society of Washington, DC, and men interested in meeting fellow Scots are welcome to participate in the Jefferson Cup Luncheons held the first and third Monday of each month at the Pier Seven Restaurant of the Channel Inn, 650 Water St. SW, Washington, DC 20024, one block west of Maine Avenue. There is free parking in the garage beneath the hotel. Gather at 11:30, dine at 12:15, and conclude at around 1:00. The price of the luncheon runs between $20 to $25 for lunch and parking. That includes tips and care of the cup box. A cash bar is also available. Men interested in receiving e-mail notifications of these luncheons and their agendas may send e-mail to . For further information about these luncheons contact Jim Campbell at 703-553-3993.

The St. Andrew's Society of Washington, DC's Wee Dram happy hour is generally held on the first Thursday of the month at Pat Troy's Ireland's Own Restaurant and Pub, 111 N. Pitt Street, Alexandria, VA. (Pat Troy's has been nestled in Old Town Alexandria for years. The Pub offers excellent traditional Gaelic fare and a familiar and enjoyable atmosphere for all.) This is coincident with the monthly jam session of the City of Alexandria Pipes and Drums The Wee Dram begins at 6:30 p.m. and lasts for 2 hours or so. All St. Andrew's Society members are strongly encouraged to attend, and we especially welcome new and prospective members. Let's meet to visit with each other, make new friends, greet old ones and talk of what's going on in our Society. As always, Scottish Highland wear is highly encouraged. All are encouraged contact the Membership Committee ahead because the event may rotate the venues between Alexandria/Arlington, Washington (DC), and Montgomery County, MD. We hope to have you join us! Contact us via the Membership inquiry e-mail address - - for details.

On the 3d Sunday of each month, members of the Scottish Music Community (primarily members of the Potomac Valley Scottish Fiddle Club) sponsors a Scottish Music Jam from 3:00-to 6:00 p.m. at the Royal Mile Scottish Pub, Maryland's only Scottish Pub, in Wheaton, MD. Anyone, including Irish music players, come to play. You can play almost any formal or man made instruments. The Potomac Valley Fiddle Club includes many musicians on different instruments - several national fiddle champions and recording artists. The Royal Mile is located on Price Ave which is one block south of where Georgia Ave. and University Ave. cross each other in Wheaton. If you are heading north on either main road from the beltway and it that junction, you have gone one city block too far out. Come back down towards the beltway by one street. There is Pub food with an emphasis on many traditional Scottish foods.

The Scottish Literary Forum, a project of the Living Legacy of Scotland, Inc, brings together those who are interested in exploring and discussing Scottish literature: fiction, poetry, essays, and nonfiction. A major emphasis will be on 20th century Scottish fiction. Each month participants will read and discuss a selected book and from time to time, guest speakers and authors will be invited to discuss their work. Visit their Web site for a schedule of activities and location or call John Bellassai, 202-362-7938 or e-mail to .

Annual Events

Burns Suppers are held each year to celebrate the anniversary of the birth of the poet Robert Burns, January 25 1759.  Burns Suppers in the Washington, DC area include this year the following:
Scotland the world over: Scotland.org has teamed up with Blipfoto to create an amazing film for Burns Night 2012 - it's called Scotland the world over and we need your help to create it.  If Scotland's in your heart, you're invited to join in by taking and uploading a photo of a saltire.  Here's how ...
January 28 - Plan now to attend the 2012 Burns Nicht supper of the Saint Andrew's Society of Washington, D.C. at the Belle Haven Country Club.  The Society is most fortunate to feature internationally-acclaimed (and local!) Scottish fiddler Bonnie Rideout.   Also, back by popular demand, is Peregrine D. Russell-Hunter to deliver a stirring Ode to a Haggis.  Information at Burns Nicht
January 28 - The Winchester Pipes & Drums will have its Burns Night at the Winchester Fire Department, Winchester, VA.
February 4 - Warrenton will have a Burns Night at McMahons Irish Pub in Warrenton, VA.

The Potomac Celtic Festival was held each June near Leesburg, VA. Cancelled - To all the supporters of the Potomac Celtic Festival, It is with the heaviest of hearts that I write to you. The board of the Potomac Celtic Alliance has deliberated and given a great deal of time and thought to our decision, and though we all have had a hard time coming to this conclusion, we have to inform you that the 2011 Potomac Celtic Festival will not be produced. ... If you wish to take part in future festivals, please send an email to info@potomaccelticfest.org and your contact information will be sent to the organizers.

The Virginia Scottish Games is now held in Sky Meadows State Park in Delaplane, VA. This celebrates our Scottish Heritage with Scottish Athletics, Dancing, Music, Crafts, Food and other fascinating Scottish events. Tickets may be purchased on-line. You can call our Info Line at 703-912-1943 for more information. Any correspondence with the VSGA can be sent to: VSGA, P.O. Box 1338, Alexandria, VA 22313.

Alexandria Scottish Christmas Walk - First Saturday in December - Each year, the holiday season steps off to a brisk pace with the annual Alexandria Scottish Christmas Walk Weekend, hosted by the Campagna Center of Alexandria, Virginia, and the Saint Andrew's Society of Washington, D.C. The Walk has grown from a small and informal parade over thirty-four years ago to an entire weekend filled with events and festivities for all ages. More than 30,000 people attend the festivities that are organized by 200 volunteers. The Walk kicks off with the Society in the lead and features Scottish military regiments, highlanders, school bands, citizen groups and associations, Scottish clan societies, floats filled with Campagna Center volunteers and children, the Lord Provost of Dundee (Alexandria's Scottish sister city), and local and regional political leaders, who ride in vintage cars loaned by antique car club members.

December 3 - Alexandria Scottish Christmas Walk Memorial Service Before marching in the kilted assembly at the Scottish Christmas Walk Parade, the Saint Andrew's Society of Washington, D.C. will once again honor William Hunter, founder of the St. Andrews Society of Alexandria, at a wreath laying service at the Old Presbyterian Meeting House, 321 S. Fairfax St. at 9:00 a.m.

Among the 2011 Christmas Walk Events are: Christmas Marketplace, Heather and Greens Sale, Deck the Halls with Santa, Taste of Scotland Patron Pub, Taste of Scotland, and Christmas Marketplace.

Concerts

The Institute of Musical Traditions preserves and promotes American and international folk music traditions, and nurtures new styles evolving from these cultural roots by presenting concerts, workshops, and educational programs. You may find details about their concerts on the calendar and Next to the House pages.

Iona Concerts: Iona plays concerts (some free) in the Washington, DC metropolitan area. A copy of their schedule may be seen on their Web site.

KT Tunstall Schedule: KT Tunstall is a Scottish singer-songwriter and guitarist.

Tartan Day

Introduction

This Tartan Day section of the Events page remains throughout the year as both a placeholder for future years' Tartan Day events and for the general information of readers.

In 1998 the US Senate designated 6 April each year as national Tartan Day in recognition of the monumental achievements and invaluable contributions made by Scottish Americans. This celebrates both US and Scottish Independence. You can read a modern English translation of the Declaration of Arbroath, the Scottish Declaration of Independence, online. See National Tartan Day for many related topics such as: The history of National Tartan Day, the Scottish influence on America, a teacher's guide, Scottish books for kids, and national and Washington DC Events. [The events part of this site are dated. However, the other information is of continuing interest.]

Tartan Day in Canada
April 6 2011 is the first National Tartan Day in Canada! Tartan Day is now officially recognized in Canada, and its official emblem is the Maple Leaf tartan. Canada as a nation will celebration Tartan Day on April 6, 2011 and every April 6th thereafter. This is as result to an order of Council by Minister Moore of Canadian Heritage! Thank you to Senator John Wallace, Keith Ashfeild, Kevin Price and Minister James Moore that this dream has finally become a reality!
Tartan Day began 24 years ago by the Federation of Scottish Clans in Nova Scotia to commemorate the contributions Scots have made to our country. They chose, in 1986, April 6 - the date the Treaty of Arbroath was signed seven centuries ago. Since Tartan Day was first proclaimed in Nova Scotia, that date has been adopted by Scots world-wide as a day to commemorate and celebrate their heritage. Tartan Day has been proclaimed as an official date of commemoration by nations around the world, including the United States. But, even though it is recognized by all Canadian provinces, it had not yet recognized by the Canadian government and our Maple Tartan has never been officially recognized as Canada's Tartan. So in 2008 the United Council of Scots along with a large number of Scottish groups from coast to coast (Groups listed below) began the long road to lobby the Government to proclaim April 6th in Canada Tartan Day and to officially adopt the Maple Leaf Tartan as Canada official Tartan.

Petitions

Sign The Declaration of Support to promote an annual celebration of the historical enactment of the Arbroath Declaration made on 6 April 1320, to renew the close historical, cultural, trading and other links between Scotland and the rest of the world with particular attention being paid to countries where the Scottish Diaspora is greatest, and to encourage individual and international friendship and goodwill through Tartan Day celebrations both in Scotland and worldwide.

See Tartan Day events around the World. You can browse through the events listed or click on the index to jump to a particular location. The information at this site may serve as a starting point for searching for times and specific locations.

Tartan Day - The Song
from Prestonpans Scotland, a song writer presently living in New Zealand, wrote a song called Tartan Day which can be used universally by changing the name of the country (i.e., Tartan-Day-in-America, Tartan Day in Canada). It is to be used throughout Canada and Scotland via Angus Ahead which is the governing body for Tartan Day Scotland. The song is presented here with the permission of Mr. Rowan and the Federation of Scottish Clans in Nova Scotia which holds the copyright. You may view the sheet music or play the song (instrumental). Copyright (© 2008) by the Federation of Scottish Clans in Nova Scotia and used by permission of the Federation and the author, Charles Colquhoun Rowan. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without permission of the Federation of Scottish Clans in Nova Scotia.

2011 Tartan Day Events

National Scots, Scots-Irish Heritage Month

Events outside the Washington, DC Area

USA and Canada Highland Games: The first Highland Games in the USA took place in 1836. The Caledonian Club of San Francisco held its first Games in 1866 and boasts the oldest continuously running Games in the USA with the St. Andrews Society of Detroit hot on its tail. Today, in addition to the games all across Scotland itself, there are more than 200 annual games and gatherings across the US and Canada. Some of these are listed here. [Provided by The Official Gateway to Scotland which is brought to you by the Scottish Government, with the help of a number of different agencies including: VisitScotland, Scottish Development International, and the British Council.]

At The Scottish Banner you may find out about Scottish Heritage events around the world: in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the USA.

Non-Scottish, Non-Celtic Heritage

The following sites contain information about local events and places of interest in the Washington, DC area that are not necessarily related to Scottish heritage or Scotland: