I cannot believe we are already saying farewell to September. The temperatures are falling, the tree's colors turning, and the calendar galloping towards 2014 - and what a busy year it is shaping up to be on both sides of the Atlantic!
With the celebration of Homecoming 2014 will come the unveiling of several projects. Whilst recently in Scotland I spoke with several people involved in various exciting undertakings.
Underway half an hour from Edinburgh is the canal project at The Helix Park, Falkirk, where I saw the lock canal extension and work underway on Andy Scott's 100 ft Kelpie scultpures. I cannot wait to return next Spring and experience traversing the new canal link, passing between The Kelpies as I do so.
I joined the crowds of people who visited the Scottish Parliament Gallery and saw the 165 panel Great Tapestry of Scotland. As I walked around amazed by this wonderful work, I met visitors who had taken part in the 1,000 person community project to complete this story of Scotland.
Also during my visit I was honored to attend the Service for Flodden, as a guest of the Standing Council of Chiefs, which was a very moving occasion.
Our website Magazine will soon change to a Magazine Blog so we can share more news, quicker! Please be in touch with you news
so we can share with the community.
Sincerely,
Camilla G. Hellman, MBE
Executive Director, The American-Scottish Foundation
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The Kelpies at Helix Park, Falkirk
This week ASF's Executive Director,  Camilla Hellman, saw first hand, complete with hard hat and hi-vis vest! (pictured) th e development at
Helix Park in Falkirk where the final phases of work are underway for the unveiling of the site in Spring 2014.
Helix Park is a 106acre zone of the 864acre that make up The Helix, with high quality pathways connecting to Helix South and Helix North via The Kelpies through the 27km path network; perfect for cycling, walking, running, skating or riding.Pictured is the installation of Andy Scott's 100 ft stunning mythical horse head sculptures - The Kelpies. Andy Scott remarks:
"Falkirk was my father's home town and that inherited link to the town has been one of my driving inspirations. A sense of deep personal legacy has informed my thinking from the outset, with old family connections anchoring me to the project."
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The Great Tapestry of Scotland
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Battle of Flodden Memorial Service On September 9, ASF was honored to attend a Memorial Service at St Giles' Cathedral in Edinburgh. The service was organised by by The Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs and held to commemorate the 500th Anniversary of The Battle of Flodden, and to celebrate 500 years of the Scottish soldier. On 9 September 1513, 10,000 Scots lost their lives at the Battle of Flodden including King James IV, who led them into battle Pictured are the members of the Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs, including ASF's Patron, His Grace Alexander Douglas-Hamilton, 16th Duke of Hamilton and ASF Board member The Lord Sempill.
Many of those who attended the service lost members of their clan and family that day.
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Battle of Bannockburn 700th Anniversary 
Many events are being planned around the 700 year Anniversary of the Battle of Bannockburn, which will be marked over the weekend of 28 - 30 June 2014 with reenactments on the field; witness the sights and sounds of medieval battle first-hand including ancient battle strategies, weapons and armour. And the unveiling of a new 3D interactive experience as the new Bannockburn Visitors Center is opened. A clan village is being developed - we will bring you more news on this as plans are announced.
On June 27, the wonderful setting of Stirling Castle will be the backdrop for an international parade - March of The Clans - through the City of Stirling. Pipe Bands, Scottish Clans and Highland Dancers are invited to take part.
From the gates of Stirling Castle, The Atholl Highlanders, Europe's only private Army, will lead the march. The Atholl Highlanders escorted Queen Victoria during her tour of Perthshire and when she stayed at Blair Castle. In recognition of this Queen Victoria awarded the Atholl Highlanders its colours, in 1845, giving the regiment official status.
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Art at The Scottish Parliament
In a first for any Parliament, the Scottish Parliament is set to host a free exhibition of more than forty Andy Warhol works of art exploring the themes of power and politics. Including Andy Warhol's 'Flash - November 22, 1963' screen prints about the assassination of John F. Kennedy and his portrait of Scots-American philanthropist Andrew Carnegie, the exhibition has been carefully selected for display at the Parliament and many of the works are being shown in Scotland for the first time. The exhibition will be held at Holyrood from Saturday 5 October - Sunday 3 November, to coincide with the 'Andrew Carnegie International Legacy: Shaping the Future' activities taking place at the Scottish Parliament. To learn more of the exhibit and to reserve tickets click here.
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Commonwealth Graffiti Art!
 As one walks around Glasgow, you cannot miss the wonderful colorful murals that have been popping up all over the city. These stunning, bright, large scale graffiti style works of art have been cropping up all over the city as Glasgow tidies up some if its darker and forgotten corners in preparation for the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games.
These wild life scenes (pictured) by Australian artist Sam Bates (on the gable wall of the City Halls) were commissioned by the city council to represent some of the animals which live in and around the city's many fine parks. More information on the project can be found here.
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Get 'Kilted out' in Scottish wear in NYC!
Kinloch Anderson, experts in Kilts and Highland Dress since 1868, will be back in the Brooks Brothers
flagship store in NYC on 346 Madison Avenue (at 44th Street) from the 28th Sept - 2nd Oct.
Kinloch Anderson has had a home within the Brooks Brothers NYC store since November 2012. Book an appointment, or drop by and see the Scottish representatives in store.
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Register now - just 1 month to go!
The Conference is an opportunity for the Scottish-American community to share views, values, experiences and best practices whilst sharing news and raising awareness of Scotland and Scottish culture, to develop a better understanding of the roles, objectives and operations of the various government, academic, non-profit and private sector organizations that operate in the Scottish North American community.
In doing so, the Conference sets out to identify opportunities to enhance communication and collaboration within the community. For more info. click here.
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ASF Private Fine Art & Antique Tour
Monday 28th October, 6pm
The Park Avenue Armory, Park Avenue at 67th Street, New York, NYDownton Abbey meets Uptown Chic at The International Fine Art & Antique Dealers Show. Legendary Makers, Renowned Collections and  Historic Pieces from some of the Great Houses of Britain will highlight the 25th Anniversary of The International Show (October 25-31, 2013). Join us for a special private tour of the show while supporing ASF. RSVP to the ASF Events Office: asfevents@wwbcny.com or (212) 605-0338 | Min. donation $40 per guest
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ASF's Burns Night Celebration
Friday 17 January 2014 - Save The Date!
VIP Tickets: $325 Tickets: $225 ASF Members: $195
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New York Tartan Day Parade 2014
Saturday April 5, 2014
Mark Your calendars and plan to join us on the Avenue. Registration is now open for New York Tartan Day Parade!
If you would like to march with ASF please click here.
ASF is a proud founding member of the National New York Tartan Day Parade organizing committee.
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The American-Scottish Foundation, Inc., Scotland House ®
575 Madison Avenue, 10th Floor,
New York, NY 10022-2511
Tel (212) 605-0338 | Fax (212) 605-0222
Email: asfevents@wwbcny.com
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About ASF
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The mission of The American-Scottish Foundation®, an international not-for-profit organization, is to establish links and strengthen ties between Scotland and the United States, through the pursuit of contemporary social, cultural, educational, and business activities.
The mission remains as relevant today as when ASF was founded in 1956 by Lord Malcolm Douglas-Hamilton - to champion the extraordinary relationship between the peoples of Scotland and the United States - a bridge between the two great countries - seeking to strengthen & support the future of the Scottish American diaspora, and its legacy.
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2014 in Scotland
Next year is going to be a big one for Scotland! Here are some of the up coming events and celebrations:
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New Chicago - Edinburgh Flight
We are delighted that United Airlines are establishing a new direct service - just in time for 2014's Year of Homecoming, Glasgow's Commonwealth Games, the Ryder Cup at Gleneagles and our own Scottish Leadership Conference (co-hosted with the Chicago Scots) in Edinburgh, July 2014!
The scheduled flights will operate five times weekly from May 22 to June 11, daily between June 12 and Sept 1, and four times weekly between Sept. 2 and Oct. 5, 2014.
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US Highland Games
 The past few weeks have seen many wonderful Highland Games taking place throughout the US.
ASF Chairman, Dr. Alan L. Bain was delighted to be the Honorary Chief of the Long Island Highland Games and Festival, in New York state at the end of August. Dr. Bain is pictured (right) talking with guests at the National Tartan Day New York tent. ASF are a founding member, along with the St Andrews Society of New York and The New York Caledonian Club in the organizing of the New York Tartan Day Parade along with recent member Clan Campbell.
October 5 sees Scotland County Highland Games taking place in North Carolina, and October 19-20 sees the Stone Mountain Highland Games taking place in Georgia.
A full annual calendar can be found on the website of The Association of Scottish Games and Festivals: www.asgf.org
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