National Tartan Day

Whereas, Florida has a rich history of Scottish influence as reflected in its culture and in the names of many of its counties, towns and cities, including Dunedin which was founded by two Scotsmen – J. O. Douglas and James Somerville; and

Whereas, Florida was the home of some famous Scottish descent residents such as Thomas Edison, Ernest Hemingway, Henry Flagler, Andrew Carnegie and Seminole Indian Chief Osceola; and

Whereas, we celebrate the spirit and character of Scottish Americans and recognize their many contributions to our culture and way of life and strive to promote Scottish traditions internationally through Sister City relationships with Stirling, Scotland and Summerside, Prince Edward Island, Canada; and

Whereas, Dunedin encourages its’ youth to embrace Scottish traditions through the art of Highland dance and the music of pipes and drums in their middle and high school pipe bands with the ability to graduate on to the City Pipe Band; and

Whereas, no fewer than 14 Highland Games and Celtic Festivals are held each year throughout the State, including Dunedin where people from all over the world attend; and

Whereas, we commend the organizations that honor Scottish heritage, traditions and culture such as the Scottish-American Societies, the St. Andrew’s Societies, the Scottish-American Military Society, the Daughters of Scotia, the Council of Scottish Clans, the Dunedin Scottish Arts Foundation and Associations and the New World Celts, founded and headquartered in Dunedin.

Now, Therefore, I, Julie Ward Bujalski, by virtue of the authority vested in me as Mayor of the City of Dunedin, Florida and on behalf of the entire City Commission, do hereby proclaim Saturday, April 6, 2019 as NATIONAL TARTAN DAY in Dunedin and urge our citizens to observe this day by celebrating the continued friendship between the people of Scotland and the United States and recognize the contributions of Scottish Americans to our Nation, the State of Florida and the City of Dunedin.