Thursday 13 January 2022

KAREN GILLAN TO LEAD NEW YORK TARTAN WEEK PARADE



Karen Gillan will walk the streets of New York City as she becomes the second ever female Grand Marshall of the famous Tartan Day Parade. 

Former Doctor Who star Karen will walk the closed off streets of the Big Apple for the tartan themed event on April 9.

The Avengers, Guardians of The Galaxy and Jumanji star follows in the footsteps of KT Tunstall who led the parade in 2018 and other celebrated Scots including Sir Billy Connolly who took the honours at the last event held in 2019.

Outlander actors Sam Heughan and Graham McTavish, Trainspotting's Kevin McKidd, and kiltmaker Howie Nicholsby have also taken on the role in previous years.

The globally marketed event first started in 1999 – the year after the United States Senate agreed to designate a national Tartan Day each April.

More than 30,000 people take part in the event in Manhattan and previous years have seen dogs wearing kilts, mini Kelpies grace Union Square, scaled down Military Tattoos being held in the city and First Ministers participate in events like cutting the tape of the Tartan Week marathon round Central Park.

Inverness-born Karen, who this week told fans she is back at work after a New Year break, has gained a cult following for her role as Nebula in the Marvel superhero films and now lives in LA.

The Tartan Day Parade confirmed Karen's latest honour saying: "The National Tartan Day New York Committee is honoured to announce award-winning Scottish actress Karen Gillan as Grand Marshal of the New York City 2022 Tartan Day Parade."

The event is now in its 24th year, and a lively procession of pipes and drums bands, Highland dancers, Scottish clans, Shetlander Vikings and more are expected to perform on the day.