THOUSANDS of Scots and their descendants take to the streets of Manhattan every year for the annual Tartan Day Parade celebrating the historic links between both nations.

New York’s Tartan Day Parade

AS surreal moments go, nothing will ever compare to standing in the middle of 6th Avenue as thousands of Saltire-waving people lined the pavements and a phalanx of thundering pipers marched towards me.

If you are a Scot in America in April, there is really only one place to be – New York for Tartan Week.

What started 18 years ago as a small group of expat Scots marching down the pavement has grown into an annual parade along the Avenue of the Americas for 10 colourful blocks, accompanied by the skirl of the bagpipes, a swishing of kilts and proud display of Caledonian heritage.

Americans with even the tiniest drop of Scots blood, no matter how many generations removed, feel compelled to don some plaid and revel in this great US tradition of marching bands.

If you are lucky enough to be a Scot in New York during Tartan Week, like I was last year (And we will be THIS year!), then I urge you to proceed to the centre of Manhattan.

Read more at http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/lifestyle/travel/well-plaid-manhattan-new-yorks-7629486#iW2Z0zjgwlHUOOU3.99