The 76-year-old famous Scottish Comedian, Sir Billy Connoly, is all set to lead the New York City Tartan Day Parade as Grand Marshal.
With over 30,000 spectators at the annual celebration, Sir Billy Connoly will lead thousands of participants at the Manhattan’s Sixth Avenue. The participants include solo pipers and drummers, Highland dancers, pipe bands, Scottish clans and Scottish dogs.
Sir Billy Connoly has been living in the U.S. since 2011 He decided to accept the invitation despite announcing his retirement from touring.
“I’m thrilled to be this year’s Grand Marshal of the New York City Tartan Day Parade,” he said. “I can’t wait to hear all those bagpipes echoing off the skyscrapers and to see Sixth Avenue awash with thousands of swaying kilts. It’s going to be brilliant.” Clearly, he is very much excited to be a part of this Grand Tartan Day Parade in New York City.
Former Grand Marshal’s include Sir Sean Connery, Alan Cumming, Sam Heughan and Brian Cox, while last year, KT Tunstall becomes the first woman to lead the Tartan Day Parade. It is the showpiece event of Tartan Week, which brings a full programme of special events to New York from April 3-8.