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.