Scottish Parliament delegation to visit New York and Alberta for Tartan Week

The delegation will join the Tartan Day Parade on Saturday 5th April, alongside Grand Marshal Alan Cumming. The day is part of Tartan Week, which is an annual celebration of the contribution of Scots Americans, Scottish culture and heritage and of the Scottish diaspora in North America.

The delegation also has a number of engagements planned in New York to help inform their parliamentary work, including meeting with the New York City Deputy Mayor, Ms Camille Joseph Varlack, and New York City Commissioner for Cultural Affairs, Laurie Cumbo.

Post New York, the delegation travel to Edmonton for a parliamentary exchange visit to the Legislative Assembly of Alberta, at the invitation of The Hon Nathan Cooper MLA, Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta.

The delegation will share experience of parliamentary business and discuss common issues with counterparts. They will also meet with Her Honour, The Hon Salma Lakhani, Lieutenant Governor of Alberta; The Hon Matt Jones MLA, Minister of Jobs, Economy and Trade; The Hon Muhammad Yaseen MLA, Minister of Immigration and Multiculturalism; The Hon Nate Glubish MLA, Minister of Technology and Innovation; and the Hon Tanya Fir MLA, Minister of Arts, Culture, and Status of Women.

Ahead of the visit Deputy Presiding Officer, Annabelle Ewing MSP said:

"Tartan Week is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate our rich cultural heritage and to connect with Scots around the world. We look forward to engaging with our counterparts in New York and beyond, promoting the values of our Parliament and discussing areas of common interest.

“We are particularly looking forward to meeting with our peers at the Legislative Assembly of Alberta and using this opportunity to share best practice and learn from one another.

“It’s a privilege to represent the Scottish Parliament on the global stage.”