This document provides information about upcoming events for NYC Tartan Week and the New York Caledonian Club (NYCC) in April 2016. It includes details on the Pre-Parade Ceilidh on April 8th, the Tartan Day Parade on April 9th, and mentions the NYCC's new pipe band performing in the parade. It also summarizes the Chief's message about past and upcoming NYCC events over the next few months, including the Annual General Meeting on May 21st. Finally, it provides details on several Scottish studies and music workshops and performances happening during NYC Tartan Week from April 5th-7th.

1. NYCC SPRING 2016
NYC Tartan Week
An t-Albannach
The Newsletter of the New York Caledonian Club
April 2016
See NYC Tartan Week & Upcoming NYCC Events Calendar on page 2
Step Out and Ceilidh
On!
AllNYCC2015CeilidhPhotos:JohnCalabrese

2. NYC TARTAN WEEK & UPCOMING NYCC EVENTS
For more information or to pay for tickets via PayPal for any of the upcoming NYCC events listed below, visit the website
www.nycaledonian.org, or call (212) 662-1083 or email events@nycaledonian.org. To inquire or send checks or money
orders by regular mail for tickets, made to the order of NYCC (note which event!), write to: The New York Caledonian
Club Inc., P.O. Box 4542, Grand Central Station. New York, NY 10163-4542.
everything that’s been accomplished over the past ten
months, that’s only beginning of what your Board of Di-
rectors has planned. We tell you more about our plans at
the next members meeting so be sure to be there.
I hope to see all of you at the Pre-Parade Ceilidh on
Friday, April 8th and be sure to come to the parade to
cheer on our new pipe band as they march in the parade
for the first time dressed from head to toe in our very
own New York Caledonian Dress Tartan! One of the mo-
ments in club history that you won’t want to miss.
I hope to see everyone at the Tartan Week Parade and
Pre-Parade Ceilidh and then again on May 21st for the
next Annual General Members Meeting.
Until then, the very best wishes of good health and
good times for you all.
le meas agus deagh dhùrachdan,
Lee Harwell, 81st Chief
New York Caledonian Club
April 2016 www.nycaledonian.org Page 2 of 7
HAIL FROM THE CHIEF
Chief Lee Harwell
PhotoCourtesyofCapturedColorPhotography
Greetings all,
Well, it’s amazing how time flies
when you’re having fun. It seems
like Burns Supper was only yester-
day and even though the Tartan Day
Parade isn’t until April 9th, it seems like tomorrow. So
many things still to do to get ready.
And, with the next AGM coming up on May 21st it
reminds me of just how busy the past few months have
been for the club. We had another one of our successful
Burns Suppers at the amazing Incognito Bistro, which
Mother Nature chose to re-schedule for us, Thomas
Keith gave us a captivating talk about Robert Burns
and Amy Beshara taught what is sure to be only the
first of a continuing series of fiddle workshops. And
let’s not forget that we now have our very own New
York Caledonian Pipe Band! What a win that is! The
fun doesn’t end there because next up we have the New
York Tartan Week celebrations and Parade and the fa-
mous, or maybe infamous, New York Caledonian Pre-
Parade Ceilidh right around the corner. Even with
NYC Tartan Week & Upcoming NYCC Events continued on page 5
Tuesday, April 5, 2016: “The Scots Who Built New York: The Carnegie Legacy”
6PM, at the Cooper-Hewitt Smithsonian Museum of Design, 2 East 91st
Street, Manhattan. Reception afterwards,
from 7:30-8:30PM. From 5PM, guests may take a self-guided tour of the Mansion. Presentation of “The Carnegie
Legacy” by John Kinnear, Historian and Architect, & “Scotland Today” by Malcolm Roughead, OBE, CEO for Visit
Scotland. Presented by the American Scottish Foundation and the Cooper Hewitt. Tickets: $25, ASF members;
$40, non-members. For info and tickets, visit website www.americanscottishfoundation.com.
Wednesday, April 6, 2016: Lunchtime Concert: Tartan Day Observance
12:30PM. Fountain Terrace at Bryant Park, Sixth Avenue between 42nd and 40th Streets, Manhattan. The Edinburgh
Academy Pipes & Drums and Highland Divas perform. Kenneth Donnelly will read from the Declaration of Ar-
broath and Presidential Proclamation. Free event. For more info, visit www.americanscottishfoundation.com
Wednesday, April, 6, 2016: Tartan Day at Ellis Island: “The Life and Legacy of John Muir”
Ellis Island, New York. John Muir exhibition continues from April 6-Sept. 5th, produced by the Clan Currie Society,
sponsored by Celtic Life Magazine and in cooperation with the National Park Service (2016 is its Centennial) and
the Ellis Island Immigration Museum. For more information, visit website, http://www.tartandayonellisisland.com/.
For information on getting to Ellis Island, visit website http://www.libertyellisfoundation.org/ferry-tickets. Presently,
the only access to the island is via www.statuecruises.com and the tickets, including admission, range from $18-21,
depending upon which sites are visited.

3. “wee”, “cow’rin” nor “tim’rous.” When exiting,
the visitor is appraised by a sagacious fox sitting
on a stump, inspired by the poem “On Glenrid-
del’s Fox Breaking his chain.”
“The Auld Clay Biggin” was where Robert
Burns was born and spent the first seven years of
his life. Fully restored, one can see where the
Burns family and their farm animals ate, slept,
and worked and where young Rabbie first heard
the tales that inspired some of his poetry.
The cottage almost didn’t
survive Burns’ infancy let
alone make it to the 21st cen-
tury. When the poet was only
a few days old, a severe storm
caused part of the dwelling to
collapse, sending the family
fleeing in the night to a neigh-
bor’s house where they stayed
until repairs could be made.
A stone’s throw away is the Robert Burns Birthplace museum which
opened in 2011, replacing an older one. It contains some of the poet’s
personal effects, manuscripts and letters as well as images of him both
from the past and present.
One artifact to look out
for is the miniature sil-
houette of Agnes McLe-
hose, aka “Clarinda,”
Burns’ platonic love and
muse. Silhouettes were
very popular in the 18th
century and the poet
asked Mrs. McLehose to
have one made for him. As one of the hands-on activities at the museum,
guests can make silhouettes of themselves.
Visitors can also listen to recitations of Burns’ poems and songs in his
native Scots dialect. There is even a “Burn Juke Box.”
With multiple attractions within walking distance of each other, Al-
loway truly is a paradise for Robert Burns admirers and well worth a visit
for anyone who happens to be in the area. --Suzanne Present
April 2016 www.nycaledonian.org Page 3 of 7
Travelogue: Burns Heritage Park
AllPhotosOnThisPage:SuzannePresent
While standing
on top of the
keystone of Al-
loway’s ancient
“Brig O’ Doon,”
one cannot help but
be reminded of
Robert Burns’ Tam
O’Shanter and
Tam’s hapless mare
Maggie. The fa-
mous poem relates
how Maggie had her
tail yanked off by one of a pack of enraged witches pursuing
the duo as they crossed over said keystone. The witches had
become enraged when Tam O’Shanter interrupted their mid-
night revelries at the “auld haunted kirk.”
Nowadays,
you won’t find
any witches’
balls being
hosted at Auld
Kirk Alloway.
However, you
will see grave-
stones deco-
rated with
skulls and cross-
bones; a popular 18th
-century motif symbolizing mortality.
And several graves are covered with grating called mort-
safes, which protected them from 19th
-century grave robbers
who “resurrected” bodies and sold them to medical colleges.
You will also find the graves of the poet’s father, William
Burnes (yes, with an “e”) and his sister, Isabella Burns Begg.
On the opposite end of the bridge, stands The Burns Mon-
ument. The monument which
resembles a Grecian temple
was designed by Sir Thomas
Hamilton. The nine columns
on top represent the nine
muses of Greek mythology.
Unlike other Burns monu-
ments, there is no statue of the
poet inside. However, the
spectacular views offered by
the circular walkway, accessi-
ble by an inner stair case,
more than make up for the
lack of sculpture.
To see the cottage where the poet was born, one must re-
cross the bridge, go past the kirk and walk through some
parkland called “Poet’s Path” which features artwork cele-
brating Burns’body of work. Upon entering the path, one is
greeted by the sculpture of a giant mouse who is neither
Brig O’Doon
Auld Kirk Alloway
Burns Monument
Mouse at the Burns
Cottage Entrance
Burns Cottage
Burns Birthplace Museum
Silhouette of “Clarinda”

4. April 2016 www.nycaledonian.org Page 4 of 7
NYCC Events – Scottish Studies
Scottish Studies is the education division of the New York Caledonian Club, and as many members know, its
Scottish Gaelic language classes have been a mainstay for a very long time, along with Scottish Song. Students
will be singing what they have learned at the Pre-Parade Ceilidh on Friday, April 8th, 2016. In addition to Scot-
tish Gaelic, NYCC also now has begun offering various workshops this year. This last December, Thomas
Keith taught a workshop on Robert Burns, and more recently, on January 9th
, 2016, Amy Beshara taught fiddlers
a bit about Scottish fiddling. Future plans are in the works including more on Robert Burns, Gaelic song, bag-
piping, and Scottish fiddling. If any of the readers have suggestions for classes or workshops, please email
them to Scottish Studies chairperson, Barbara L. Rice: barbara.rice@nycaledonian.org
Amy Beshara (far right) teaching the Scottish fiddle tradition to students.at
the January 9, 2016 Scottish Fiddle Workshop.
Allphotsonthispage:MartiDorais

5. April 2016 www.nycaledonian.org Page 5 of 7
Thursday, April 7, 2016: Lunchtime Concert: Hannah Read and Friends & Scottish Octopus
See Wednesday, April 6, 2016. The band Scottish Octopus plays today; Hannah Read performs original and tra-
ditional Scottish songs.
Thursday, April, 7, 2016: Musician Meet and Greet
3-4:30PM. Deacon Brodie’s Tavern, 370 West 46th
Street, Manhattan. Meet artists Little Fire, Craig Weir from
Gleadhraich, and the Highland Divas. Artists will sign and sell their CDs before performing later this evening.
Bellhaven samplings and merchandise giveaways. Free event. No tickets required.
Thursday, April 7, 2016: Cocktail Reception in Celebration of Tartan Week
6-8PM, New York Racquet and Tennis Club, 370 Park Avenue, Manhattan. Sponsored by the Saint Andrew’s
Society of the State of New York. Come celebrate Tartan Week with piping by Larry Cole and the Shot of
Scotch Highland dancers. Business attire (suit and tie) or Highland Evening Dress. Tickets: $85. Purchase
tickets at website: www.standrewsny.org/EventTickets
Thursday, April 7, 2016: Little Fire
8pm. St. Andrews Pub, 140 West 46th
Street, Manhattan. Little Fire hails from Ayrshire, Scotland. No cover.
Thursday, April 7, 2016: The Highland Divas
Doors open at 9:30PM. Show begins at 10PM. The Cutting Room, 44 East 32nd Street, Manhattan. Georgia,
Margaret, and Marla, two Scots and a Kiwi with a shared background in Scotland, perform traditional to con-
temporary music. Also performing with the Divas are: Craig Weir, Frankie Keane, Little Fire, and the Shot of
Scotch dancers. Tickets: $25 in advance; $30 at the door. $20 food/drink minimum. To purchase tickets, visit
website: http://tickets.thecuttingroomnyc.com/event/1120093-highland-divas-new-york/
Friday, April 8, 2016: Lunchtime Concert
See Wednesday, April 6, 2016. Craig Weir, Laura McGee, Little Fire, and the East Hall High School Valhalla singers, led
by Ms. Whitney Rylee.
Friday, April 8, 2016: The Pipes and Drums at Sunset
6:30PM. Fountain Terrace at Bryant Park, Sixth Avenue between 42nd and 40th Streets, Manhattan. Edinburgh Academy
Pipes and Drums perform. Free event.
Friday, April 8, 2016: Pre-Parade Ceilidh
SOLD OUT. 7PM, Abigail Adams Auditorium, 417 East 61st Street, between First Avenue and York, Manhat-
tan. There is a possibility of some tickets being available at the door (at $50), but at this time we cannot guaran-
tee admission to the Ceilidh. Any questions please call 212-662-1083 or write to events@nycaledonian.org
Friday, April 8, 2016: Laura McGhee Live at St. Andrews
9PM. St. Andrews Pub, 140 West 46th
Street, Manhattan. Scottish fiddler Laura McGhee hails from Dundee,
Scotland and performs tonight.
Saturday & Sunday, April 9-10, 2016: Tartan Day at Ellis Island: Performances &“The Life and Legacy of John Muir”
Performances including music, dance, and juggling, Saturday and Sunday, April 9th-10th, from 10AM-4PM. Ellis Island,
New York. John Muir exhibition continues through Sept. 5, 2016, produced by the Clan Currie Society, sponsored by
Celtic Life Magazine and in cooperation with the National Park Service (2016 is its Centennial) and the Ellis Island Immi-
gration Museum. For more information, visit website, http://www.tartandayonellisisland.com/. For information on Ellis
Island, visit website http://www.ellisisland.org/genealogy/ellis_island_visiting.asp. Presently, the only access to the island
is via www.statuecruises.com and the tickets, including admission, range from $18-43, depending upon which sites are
visited.
NYC TARTAN WEEK & UPCOMING NYCC EVENTS
NYC Tartan Week & Upcoming NYCC Events continued on page 7
Continued from page 2

6. THE ISLANDERS WANT YOU! Seinn comhla rinn!
Join the only Scottish Gaelic singing group, The Islanders, in Manhattan! We are a relaxed group of singers who gather together for
the pure enjoyment of singing in Gaelic and English. We occasionally perform in public, but for the most part, we sing together on
Saturdays for the fun of it. You do not need to speak Gaelic fluently. A good basic knowledge of Gaelic is helpful, but not necessary.
Just be able to carry a tune, in an easy-going environment. For further information, email John Grimaldi at iainmartainn@aol.com
April 2016 www.nycaledonian.org Page 6 of 7
Get ready for Grandfather Mountain Gaelic Song and Language Week 2016, July 3rd through July 8th on the
campus of Lees-McRae College in Banner Elk NC. From Sunday afternoon to Friday lunch, the sounds of
Gaelic, the first language of the Scots, will resound in the mountains of western North Carolina.
All levels of singing and language are welcomed! Learn Gaelic or improve it or have conversations with
other fluent speakers.
Teachers for 2016:
Catrìona Parsons is a native Gaelic speaker born in the Isle of Lewis, and a graduate of
Edinburgh University, Scotland, Catrìona has been involved in the teaching of Gaelic language
and song in North America for many years.
She completed teaching an advanced Gaelic Class for Cape Breton University which influ-
enced her to prepare a draft booklet explaining Gaelic Structure. Catrìona also helped start the
U.S. National Mòd and has been a popular teacher at the Gaelic Song and Language Weeks and
adjudicator for the US Mòd in years past.
Joanne MacIntyre comes from Mabou Coal Mines, Inverness County where she was raised
in a culture-rich environment of Scottish music, dance and Gaelic language. She now teaches
Gaelic language and Gaelic Studies at Dalbrae Academy in Mabou, passing on her knowledge
and passion for the language and its attendant culture to younger generations. Joanne released
her debut album of Gaelic songs, Craobh a’Mhathain, during Celtic Colours 2013.
Màiri MacInnes is one of the most accomplished singers performing in the Gaelic language
in Scotland today. She was born in Baghasdail A Tuath on South Uist. Gaelic was spoken exclu-
sively at the home she shared with six siblings and it was not until she went to school that she
learned English.
Prior to releasing her first album, Màiri recorded and performed with the legendary band Run-
rig. Her most famous work is This Feeling Inside (Is Gàidheal Mi). Her latest album Gràs –
Grace was released in 2015.
For more information , visit the American Scottish Gaelic Society (An Comunn Gàidhealach Ameireaganach)
webpage: http://www.acgamerica.org/events/grandfather-mountain/info/
Catriona Parsons
Joanne MacIntyre
Màiri MacInnes
PhotosCourtesyofAnComunnGàidhealachAmeireaganach(ACGA)

7. IN MEMORIAM
Longtime New York Caledonian Club member, Nick Ruprecht, passed away November 21,
2015. He lived in Irvington, New Jersey with his wife, Carole, and they were active mem-
bers of NYCC, attending many of its events. Nick is very much missed and the Club sends
its condolences to Carole and family.
Attention An t-Albannach Readers
If you are receiving An t-Albannach already by email, but would also like to be on the mailing list for the hard copy of
the newsletter, please send your request with your name and address via email to the editor, Barbara L. Rice, at
barbara.rice@nycaledonian.org
An t-Albannach, the newsletter of the New York Caledonian Club,
is published several times a year. ISSN#1520-078.
Editor-in-Chief: Barbara Lynn Rice, with contributions from many.
The New York Caledonian Club, Inc. (Est. 1856), is a
501(c)3 nonprofit, charitable, educational and literary organi-
zation and is open to anyone interested in Scotland and
Scottish-Americans.
April 2016 www.nycaledonian.org Page 7 of 7
Saturday, April 9, 2016: Kirkin’ O’ The Tartan & Pre-Parade Brunch
10AM, The Brick Presbyterian Church, 62 East Ninety-Second Street, Manhattan. Service is open to all. Spon-
sored by the Saint Andrew’s Society of the State of New York. Buses will be provided to transport all to the
Tartan Parade site. The Brunch following the Service is SOLD OUT. For more info, visit website:
http://www.standrewsny.org
Saturday, April 9, 2016: Lunchtime Concert
Fountain Terrace at Bryant Park, Sixth Avenue between 42nd and 40th Streets, Manhattan. Schedule:
11:15AM, The Pipes and Drums of the Atlantic Watch; 11:35AM, Accrington Pipe Band; 12noon, Bonnie Brae
Knights; 12:20PM, Shamrock and Thistle Pipers; and 12:45PM, TBA: Free event.
Saturday, April 9, 2016: New York City 17th Annual Tartan Week Parade
From West Highland Terriers to bagpipes, see the Scots on parade. And maybe a
celebrity or two. This year’s Grand Marshal is Sam Heughan, who portrays Jamie
Fraser in the hit series, Outlander. Parade steps off, Saturday, April 9, 2016 at
2:00PM on West 44th Street and Sixth Avenue; travels north on Sixth Avenue, and
ends on Sixth Avenue at West 55th Street, Manhattan.
Sunday, April 10, 2016: Lunchtime Concert
See Wednesday, April 6, 2016. Performers to be TBA.
Nick Ruprecht
Save the Date!
New York Caledonian Club
Annual General Meeting
Saturday, May 21st
, 2016
Location and Time to be announced.
Photo:B.L..Rice
Continued from page 5
NYC TARTAN WEEK & UPCOMING NYCC EVENTS

8. The New York Caledonian Club, Inc.
P.O. Box 4542, Grand Central Station
New York, NY 10163-4542
www.nycaledonian.org
(212) 662-1083
NEW YORK CALEDONIAN CLUB
2015-2016 BOARD OF OFFICERS & DIRECTORS
Officers
81st Chief
Lee Harwell
Chieftain
Lesley MacLennan Denninger
Secretary
Marti Dorais
Treasurer
Kyle Dawson
Directors
Daphne Jay Bell
Gilbert Green, Jr.
Katherine Hendry
Steve Klugman
Sue Ann McDevitt
Liz Mercado
Suzanne Present
Mackenzie Reid
Barbara Lynn Rice