Countdown to Tartan Day!

The 2010 Tartan Day countdown has begun! With the start of the celebrations only days away, the final touches are being made to the host of Tartan Day Angus events which will be happening across the county from April 2 until April 10.

Tartan Day, which is on April 6, celebrates the best of Scotland and the Scots and the Tartan Day Whisky Evening at the Webster Theatre in Arbroath promises to do just! Combining a tasting of local malts with the 1949 Ealing comedy ‘Whisky Galore!’ – and sponsored by Glencadam Distillery, the only distillery in Angus - the Whisky Evening starts at 7pm on Wednesday, April 7. Tickets cost £5.50 and are available from the Webster Theatre Box Office (01241 435800).

As well as celebrating our national drink, the county’s week of Tartan Day celebrations also celebrate the music, song and dance of Scotland – and, for those who like to mix the three together, there are several toe-tapping ceilidhs to choose from!

Arbroath’s Tartan Day Ceilidh is being held in the Lions Head Function Suite at the Red Lion Caravan Park on Friday, April 9. On the same night, the people of Carnoustie can dance and sing the night away at Carnoustie’s Tartan Day Ceilidh, which is taking place at the Kinloch Arms. Forfar is waiting until Saturday, April 10 for its Tartan Day Ceilidh, which is taking place in the Plough Inn.

On a less traditional - but hopefully equally tuneful – note, April 10 is also the date of the first heat of Angus Has Talent. Organised by the Arbroath Angus Action Group and supported by local councillors David Fairweather and Peter Nield, the first heat of Angus Has Talent is being held at Coast Nightclub in Arbroath from 10am onwards and is being judged by local singers Danny Laverty and Doug Ford, along with Richard Allan from Radio Tay. “We’re looking for someone with the A-Factor,” said Cllr Fairweather. “There are so many people in Angus who have true star quality – Angus Has Talent is their chance to shine.”

The winner of the heat will go forward to the semi-final at The Waterfront Nightclub in Arbroath and, if they continue to impress the judges, the final, which takes place at the Webster Theatre on June 4. Cllr Fairweather explained that the prize for the overall winner of Angus Has Talent will be a professionally-produced DVD showcasing their talent, with great prizes for second and third place, too.

“To enter, simply email your name, date of birth, address and type of act to pjn1000-angushastalent@yahoo.co.uk,” added Cllr Nield, who stressed that entrants must live in Angus and be over the age of 12 – and under-16s must have parental permission.

In addition to the organised events, the Tartan Day Scotland Team is keen to hear about the informal ways Tartan Day is being celebrated throughout the county. “We’d love to feature Tartan Day happenings and special events such as family outings and get-togethers on our website,” said a Tartan Day Scotland spokesperson. “Let us know how you and your family are joining in with the week of Tartan Day celebrations by emailing tartanday@angusahead.com.”

To find out about all the events taking place across Angus during Tartan Day Scotland, which is sponsored by GlaxoSmithKline, the Tartan Day events guide can be downloaded from www.tartandayscotland.com. The Tartan Day Events Guide is also available from accommodation providers and visitor attractions in Angus, Dundee, Perth and Aberdeenshire and at museums, libraries and Access offices in Angus.