Carnoustie Goes Tartan! Famous Golfing Town All Set to Enjoy Its Biggest-Ever Tartan Day Celebrations!

Issued: 9 March 2010

Carnoustie Business Association (CBA) is pulling out all the stops to ensure the town enjoys its biggest-ever Tartan Day celebrations this year.

"Following on from the immense success of last year's Knobbly Knees competition and Best-Dressed Tartan Shop Window competition, we're moving Carnoustie's Tartan Day celebrations up a gear and have organised a range of fun, special events," revealed Kathleen Crowe of CBA.

The Tartan Day Scotland celebrations, which are sponsored by GlaxoSmithKline, kick off across Angus on Friday, April 2. However, Carnoustie's Tartan Day fun will start a few days earlier with CBA's 'So You Think You Know Scotland' quiz sheets.Kathleen explained that the quiz sheets, which cost 50p each, will be on sale in shops throughout Carnoustie High Street from March 30 until April 8, with proceeds going to local charities.

The questions will continue on Wednesday, April 7, with a quiz night in the Aboukir Hotel. "Teams of four are invited to test their wits at a charge of £8 per team, with proceeds again going to local charities," said Kathleen.

Amidst the organised events, local businesses in the town who have a shop window frontage are invited to enter the Best Dressed Tartan Window competition. "The theme is Tartan Day, a celebration of Scotland," continued Kathleen. "This competition will run throughout the week and will be judged by an independent judge, with the winner announced on Saturday, April 10."

On Friday, April 9, Carnoustie's Tartan Day celebrations will take a traditional turn with an evening of Scottish food, drink, music and dance at the Kinloch Arms Hotel. "In association with CBA, Jonathan McInally, licensee of the Kinloch Arms, has organised a great event," Kathleen said.

The evening will begin at 6pm with a hour's Whisky Tasting with 'First Drinks', before guests are piped into the hotel's Rannoch Restaurant for Carnoustie's Tartan Day Ceilidh. "With a display of highland dancing, stovies, a raffle and music provided by great local band 'Aff The Cuff, this ceilidh promises to be an absolutely fabulous night," Kathleen said. "Tickets only cost £15 so it's excellent value for money and, as the event is being held to raise funds for Caring for Kids, Radio Tay will be in attendance before and during the event."

The next day, Carnoustie High Street will be the place to be for a great day out for all the family.

Wellie Throwing – for all ages - will start at 10.30 am in the playground of KinlochPrimary School, with prizes for the furthest throw of a Wellie – and also for the best- dressed Wellie thrower and best-dressed Wellie!

"Carnoustie Pipe Band will entertain us with a few tunes whilst All Stars pub will be selling teas, coffees and snacks throughout the morning," said Kathleen. "And everyone who works up an appetite through over-energetic wellie throwing will be able to enjoy a traditional Scottish lunch of haggis, neeps and tatties at the Stags Head."

The fun and games will continue into the afternoon with the Knobbly Knees competition. The competition starts at 2.30pm under the Fairways Garage, and CBA are looking for as many people as possible – male and female – to don kilts and bare their knobbly knees! "Last year's winner will be defending his title so we're expecting a hotly-contested competition," said Kathleen.

"Ideally, we'd like everyone in Carnoustie to participate in at least one of the town's Tartan Day celebrations. In fact, we welcome everyone from across Angus and beyond to join in with our Tartan Day events and discover what a great wee town Carnoustie is.

"Rain or shine, Carnoustie's Tartan Day celebrations will be great fun and will raise money for various good causes in the local area. I can't think of a better way to celebrate our heritage."

For further information for any of the above events please contact 01241 853999 or CBA members: Peter at Fobel shop, Melanie at Pet and Garden Centre or Kathleen at Links to Scotland. To find out about all the events taking place across Angus during Tartan Week Scotland, which is sponsored by GlaxoSmithKline, visit the What's On in Angus page.