Tartan Day 2024
ScotCanBC was pleased to organize Tartan Day 2024 for the team from the Scottish Government Office in Canada. John Devine, Lesley Gray and Sabryna Lemieux joined us from Ottawa, and we headed over to Victoria, BC to start off the celebrations.
First up, a reception at Government House
Her Honour, Janet Austin, the Lieutenant Governor of BC, spoke about our international and historic connections and her personal ties to Scotland. John Devine, OBE, LVO & Head of the Scottish Govt in Canada, spoke about reaching a new era with our international community of youths, righting historic wrongs and offered stories of amazing woman who’ve contributed to our communities. Tricia Barker, our ScotCanBC President, read the Tartan Day Proclamation with a style we shall always remembers.
Scotland and British Columbia Connections
Many VIP’s and ScotCanBC members attended the special event of course the room was filled with conversations about the deep connections between Canada and Scotland.
Some of our special guests were, Lesley Gray, Deputy Head, Scottish Govt of Canada, Sabryna Lemieux, Scottish Affairs Officer for Canada, Alistar MacGregor, MP Cowichan/Malahat/Langford, Tom Codrington, British Consul General, Dr. Amy Parent, SFU Chair, Indigenous Gov/Ed, Jim Maxwell, Victoria Highland Games, Rob MacNeil, BC Pipers, Anne Mullens, and Keith Baldrey, Global TV.
A quick trip over to visit the BC Legislature and a tour from Global TV Legislature Reporter, Keith Baldry.
That evening was a Scottish Govt and ScotCanBC Board working dinner, but it looks like a very enjoyable time. Yes… planning did happen!
Next day was all about attending the inaugural Tartan Day Celebration and the new Victoria Scottish Community Centre. This beautiful building was as welcoming as all the people that attended the event.
The event started with some rousing music from the Greater Victoria Police Pipe Band.
Jim Maxwell, Executive Director of the Victoria Scottish Community Centre, MC’d the event and spoke about the history of the building and the deep Scottish connections.
John Devine captivated the audience with another heartfelt speech that spoke about what brought us all to this day.
Tricia Barker again presented the Tartan Day Proclamation.
This event was much more community based and was well attended by the people connected to the Victoria Highland Games and the history of all things Scottish in Victoria.
Thank you to all the special guests that also attended… Mitzi Dean, MLA Esquimalt-Metchosin, Elizabeth May, MP Saanich/Gulf Islands, and Mike Chisholm, BC Highland Games.
All agreed that the chance to meet and have a conversation with John Devine and his team on such an important day was remarkable. Here’s just some of the connections that were made!
We would also like to thank the ScotCanBC Board Members that joined us at the events. Jason Roberts (Men In Kilts), Laura Donnellan (IRL Group), Alyssa Weyrauch, CDM),Graeme Macaloney (Macaloney Distillers), and Mike Redmond.
Also a thank you to the ScotCanBC members that travelled to Victoria to attend! Andy Weyrauch, Graeme Menzies, Elizabeth Ball, and Doug Welch.
We are already planning the events for next Tartan Day so stay tuned!
All these event were able to happen because of the support and funding from the Scottish Government and the team from the Scottish Govt in Canada! Thank you.
Additional Tartan Day 2024 Pictures
