Thousands of Scottish Gaels emigrated to North America in the 1920s. Some of those returned to Scotland and brought back with them newly adopted ways, customs and stories of their adventures across the Atlantic.
In celebration of NYC Tartan Week, Scottish ethnologist, Sophie Stephenson, will present the biography of return-migrant, Angus MacLellan "The Yank" (1892-1978). Angus was a Gael, storyteller, and tradition bearer from Malaig Bheag on the North Coast of Scotland, who lived in New York City from 1920-1933 and was a member of the New York Caledonian Club.
Using the lens of Angus' life and lore, the presentation will explore the role of storytelling in the construction of community in Scotland and in the diaspora. The presentation situates Angus as a transnational Gael within multi-cultural and multi-linguistic contexts and concludes on the impact and legacy of return migration on cultural transfer and the formation of identity, both in Scotland and in North America. In addition to written sources, Sophie relies on contemporary oral accounts passed on through family and community transmission and gathered from both sides of the Atlantic, including first-hand testimonies from Angus himself.
This event will be held in-person at The Tailor Public House, 505 Eighth Avenue, New York, NY (between 35th and 36th Streets). Please join us after the talk to enjoy a traditional Scottish music session and to learn more about the NYG&B's upcoming Heritage Tour to Scotland in October 2023. This small-group tour includes exclusive outings, behind-the-scenes access to records and collections, and excursions to renowned museums, landmarks, and other iconic sites, including Edinburgh Castle, the National Library of Scotland, and Glasgow Cathedral.