Tartan Day 2008

This year's Tartan Day Ceremony will be held at the Alamo April 3, 2009 at 6:00 pm.

Each year, on the Friday, before the San Antonio Highland Games and Celtic Festival, the clans gather at the Alamo, for a Tartan Day Ceremony. The Mayor of San Antonio issues a proclamation declaring this day Tartan Day in San Antonio. This Ceremony is held in honor of the brave men that fell at the Alamo. The Alamo is the seat of Texas independence and liberty. On a cold, frosty morning, March 6, 1836, 186 brave men died to give Texas freedom from Mexico. These brave men held out against an army of over 4000 soldiers for 13 days, before falling. Legends tell us piper John MacGregor died playing the Bagpipes on the walls of the mission. Over one hundred of those men had Scottish surnames. Four were from Scotland. Most Americans have heard the battle cry, "Remember the Alamo". All have heard of Davy Crockett, James Bowie, Sam Houston, and Stephen F. Austin, William Travis, but few have heard the other names, Buchanan, Scott, Bonham, Burns, Campbell, Elliott, McGregor, and Wilson to name but a few. These are the men we honor with the Tartan Ceremony’s roll call of the clans. The clan representatives will lay their floral tribute by the door of the Alamo. A representative of the Daughters of the Republic of Texas (DRT), guardians of the Alamo, will be present to receive the flowers. All members of the DRT are descendant from one of the men that fell at the Alamo or one of the first brave Texas pioneers that struggled so hard to insure freedom for Texas.

Wilma Heberling is the Tartan Day Chairman for the Scottish Society of San Antonio. She will be joined by Robert Gurley, Founding President of SAHGA and Ceremonies Committee chairperson, in planning the 2009 ceremony. We invite all clans to attend the ceremony and participate by laying a wreath or bouquet.

The cost of each bouquet is $18.00 and wreaths are $60.00. We are looking forward to another memorable and enjoyable Tartan Day Ceremony.

It will be a ceremony of tradition, heritage, history, and honor. It is a very moving experience for all that come to see it, and for those that take part. It is a great honor to present the Tartans at the "Cradle of Texas Liberty". We look forward to your clan’s participation in this moving experience, honoring our historical heritage and the brave souls of the Alamo.