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10 Reasons to Celebrate Scotland During New York Tartan Week

Forth Bridge by night, Visit Scotland

Photo Courtesy of NY Tartan Week

During Tartan Week, the five million Americans who claim Scotish ancestry—and all the others who just really like golf, Edinburgh literature and/or Scotch whisky—will be honoring the rainy, peaty homeland. It’s nowhere near as widely celebrated as St. Paddy’s Day, but New York City will have a parade (because NYC always has a parade) on Saturday April 5. Here are 10 excellent reasons to celebrate Scotland and its influence on the U.S.

highland cows
Photo Courtesy of Photoshop

One

Although the shaggy Highland ponies were a viral sensation last year, Highland cows are equally adorable and equally shaggy. If you want to sound like a Scottish person, call them “coos.” 

unicorn
Photo Courtesy of Shutterstock

Two

Scotland’s official animal is the unicorn. (That's reason enough).

laphroaig
Photo Courtesy of Laphroaig

Three

Laphroaig Scotch Whisky was sold legally in the U.S. during Prohibition because it was deemed medicinal.

golf
Photo Courtesy of Mitch Gunn/Shutterstock

Four

The game of golf originated in Scotland in the 15th century. The first record dates back to 1457, only it was spelled "gowf" and played on a 22-hole course.

beaches
Photo Credit: Kevin George

Five

Scotland has several really beautiful beaches, and in the peak of summer (starting the last week of June and going through August), some get 18 hours of sunlight.

hogwarts
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Six

The fictitious Hogwarts Express train seen in the Harry Potter movies was “played by” the Jacobite train, located in the Scottish Highlands.

home of golf
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Seven

The Royal & Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews is dubbed as the "home of golf," and serious golfers pilgrimage to its Old Course almost as though it were hallowed ground.

cashmere
Photo Courtesy of Stobo Castle

Eight

One of the nicest castle hotels in Scotland, Stobo Castle, has a suite where the walls are entirely covered in cashmere.

laphroaig
Photo Courtesy of Laphroaig

Nine

Laphroaig is the only Single Malt Scotch Whisky to bear a Royal Warrant bestowed by HRH Prince Charles. It is only granted to brands, companies and trades people that supply goods to the Queen of England.

raincoat
Photo Courtesy of Shutterstock

Ten

The Scottish invented the waterproof raincoat in 1823 as well as the hot blast furnace in 1828.

Lena Katz

Lena Katz is the author of the Travel Temptations series (SIP, SUN, SNOW), published by Globe Pequot Press in 2009. Lena is also a travel expert for Celebrations/1800FLOWERS and WEtv (online and on-air). She contributes to the South China Morning Post and ABC News online. Lena is a former Orbitz Travel blogger and former columnist for the LA Times. She's been published in Brides Magazine, Robb Rep...(Read More)

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