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A Celebration of Scotland's Treasures

Save the date for an evening of Scottish music, dining, and dancing

Thursday, April 20, 2023

The Metropolitan Club

New York City

The evening will include live and silent auctions with one-of-a-kind prizes, a whisky tasting, a meal among friends in The Metropolitan Club’s spectacular dining room, and Scottish cèilidh to end the festivities. Great Scot Award honoree to be announced this fall.

Download Save the Date

2022 A Celebration of Scotland’s Treasures and Great Scot Honoree, Diana Gabaldon

Tartan-clad philanthropists gathered at New York City’s The Metropolitan Club on April 14 to honor American author Diana Gabaldon as the 2022 Great Scot. Gabaldon’s bestselling Outlander novels have brought the romance and drama of Scottish history to life for more than 50 million readers worldwide.

The presentation of the Great Scot Award was the highlight of the event, which this year raised $375,000 to support the conservation of heritage sites in the care of the National Trust for Scotland, including Culloden Battlefield and Robert Burns’s birthplace.

Actors Sam Heughan and Graham MacTavish, stars of the Starz television series Outlander, presented the award to Gabaldon virtually from the United Kingdom, where they were filming.

Now it’s true that Diana herself is not Scottish, but I don’t think any of us can deny that Diana has done more than almost anyone to promote Scotland, its history and culture, on the world stage over the past decade. For that reason, I think, and I am sure you will agree, that Diana is surely an honorary Scot – and now a Great one at that.

– Graham MacTavish

Diana’s humorous and heartfelt remarks touched on the origins of her first novel, the public’s reaction to the Outlander series, and her unanticipated role in preserving Scottish culture. In her remarks, Diana reflected on the fragility of the Gaelic language, and her work to protect it.

 

Watch Her Speech Here

A Celebration of Scotland’s Treasures was chaired by arts philanthropist Naoma Tate, whose great-grandfather was a master stonemason at Drumlanrig, home of the Duke of Buccleuch. Mrs. Thomas H. Hubbard and Jeannie Redpath Campbell Becton served as honorary co-chairs in recognition of their leadership support for the Isle of Canna over the past decade.

The evening included a live and silent auction supported by dozens of brands and individuals. An auction catalog of closed lots and a list of our generous sponsors is still browsable here.

Media files and press release here.

About the Great Scot Award

The Great Scot Award is presented annually to a Scot or American who has contributed to the countries’ shared heritage. The recipient is selected by the Foundation’s Board of Trustees and the award presentation is the highlight of the annual gala, A Celebration of Scotland’s Treasures. Honorees include Billy Connolly (pictured here with presenter Alan Cumming, also a Great Scot Award honoree), Denise Mina, Ken Burns, Phyllis Logan, and Alexander McCall Smith. Below you will find a full list of past Honorees.

Great Scot Award Honorees

2022

Diana Gabaldon

Author of the award-winning, #1 New York Times bestselling Outlander novels

2021

Brian Denis Cox CBE

Scottish actor working in film, television, and theatre.

2020

Denise Mina

Scottish crime writer and playwright.

  • Honorees 2008-2019

    2019

    Andy Scott

    Internationally recognized artist and sculptor of The Kelpies, the worlds largest equine sculptures.

    2018

    Mark Beaumont

    World record-breaking long distance cyclist.

    2017

    Ken Burns

    Documentary filmmaker and kinsman of Scottish poet Robert Burns.

    2016

    Phyllis Logan

    Actor, best known for her roles as Mrs. Hughes on Downton Abbey and Lady Jane Felsham on Lovejoy.

    2015

     Sir Billy Connolly

    Stand up comedian, actor, musician, TV presenter, and artist

    2014

    Richard Scott

    10th Duke of Buccleuch and the 12th Duke of Queensbury

    2013

    Ian Gow

    Chief Curator, National Trust for Scotland

    2012

    The International Alliance for the Advancement of Scottish Roots Music

    2011

    Mrs. Thomas J. Hubbard

    Philanthropist

    2010

    Christopher Forbes

    Vice chairman of Forbes Inc., noted collector and connoisseur

    2009

    Alan Cumming

    Award-Winning Actor, Singer, Writer, Producer, Director, and Author

    2008

    Alexander McCall Smith

    Internationally Acclaimed Author

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