I’M A PROUD SCOTT
Actor says his heart will always be at home as he represents country in US
DOUGRAY Scott has spoken of his love of Scotland ahead of the Tartan Day celebrations in New York today.
as the festival’s Grand Marshal, the actor will lead the parade in Manhattan, which recognises contributions made by Scottish-americans to the US. He will follow in the footsteps of the likes of Billy connolly, Sean connery, alan cumming, Gail Porter and KT Tunstall as figurehead of the annual event. The 58-year old said: “I’ve always strongly identified with being Scottish. We have a great country. We have a history of being welcoming and politically diverse, culturally diverse and we fight for the underdog. “We have an innate approach to the world, politically, culturally, and we certainly are very egalitarian in our heart and soul. I’m not saying we are the greatest people on earth. We’re not.” Glenrothes-born Scott added: “It’s where I was brought up and I have such familiarity with and I do love being there. “every year I go and stay on the west coast of Scotland, and I walk and play golf and fish and recharge the batteries.” Scott is known for his roles in ever after with Drew Barrymore, Deep Impact starring opposite robert Duvall, Tea leoni, and Vanessa redgrave, and Mission: Impossible 2 with Tom cruise. He also played football manager Matt Busby in united and starred in the 2001 Michael apted film enigma with Kate Winslet, which premiered at the edinburgh International Film Festival that year, and played Iain Hainsworth in the US TV series Desperate Housewives.
Glasgow has a special place in his heart and it was a city he loved “very much”.
He said: “Both my parents are from there and I spent a lot of time in Glasgow growing up.
“I’m a labour supporter and have been since I was a kid. But if I lived in Scotland again I would vote SNP. Independence is something I am in favour of.”
Thousands of people are expected to line the streets to watch the 26th annual parade as it goes along Manhattan’s Sixth avenue to central Park.
It is the centre-piece of a weekend of celtic celebrations in the city. For the parade, Scott will wear a Morrison tartan 16oz Strome kilt, specially designed by edinburgh kiltmaker Howie Nicholsby of 21st century Kilts , which the actor described as “beautiful”.
Wearing his mother elma’s tartan, the kilt has been woven by lochcarron Weavers.
“I can’t wait to put it on,” he said. “I don’t get a chance to wear a kilt very often but I love them. I’m Scottish, so why not? Give me a broadsword as well.
“I couldn’t be prouder or happier to have been asked to be the 2024 NYC Tartan Day Parade Grand Marshal and also to be wearing the Morrison tartan, the tartan of my mother’s family.
“She’ll be looking down from on high with pride in her Scottish heart, God bless her Glaswegian cotton socks.
“May the chief let his sun shine all the way from leith to NYC.”
My mum will be looking down from on high with pride in her scottish heart Dougray Scott on celebration