Learned Kindred of Currie logo with the crest

Preserving the Past, Enriching the Future

The Learned Kindred of Currie is a leading Scottish non-profit cultural and educational organization dedicated to preserving and promoting Scottish and Highland heritage and the arts through a wide variety of programs.

Our Story

Curries, or more accurately, the MacMhuirich Bardic Family, can trace their history to the 13th century. The family served as Hereditary Bards to the Lords of the Isles and later to the MacDonalds of Clanranald.

Today, the Learned Kindred of Currie continues this legacy through programs, events, and scholarships that honor and promote Scotland’s rich culture and ancestry in the US and globally. Based in the United States, the Kindred has over 4,000 members worldwide.

a group people standing in front of an stone church wearing varying types of Learned Kindred of Curie Tartan

Annual Events & Productions

Tartan Day on Ellis Island

Spring 2024

The largest Tartan Day event in the world, Tartan Day on Ellis Island welcomed 184,000 visitors in 2023 alone. This annual exhibit explores a specific aspect of Scottish-American history and culture and features performances by a host of Scottish artists, including pipers and drummers, Highland dancers, fiddlers, jugglers, and harpists.
Explore the exhibit

The 26th Annual Pipes of Christmas

Dec. 16-31, 2023

A joyful and reverent celebration of the Christmas season and the Celtic spirit, with live performances in New York  and Summit, NJ, and a webcast for global audiences. Tickets are available now!

Discover the pipes

Programs & Initiatives

Scholarships

We’re proud to sponsor eight scholarships for youth pursuing studies in the arts, including music, literature, drama, and history. A few of our many past recipients are pictured above. Read more about our scholarships here.

Awards
The Learned Kindred of Currie sponsors a number of awards each year within the arts and cultural community, including the Gaelic Literature Competition at Scotland’s Royal National Mod, and an academic research prize at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, Scotland’s Gaelic college on the Isle of Skye.
Monuments Initiative
The Learned Kindred of Currie Monuments Initiative helps erect and preserve new and existing locations of cultural significance such as the Scottish Writers Museum in Edinburgh and Bale nam Bàrd (the bard’s home) on the Island of South Uist.
Commissions

Every year, we commission new music and cultural works to keep our traditions alive and support emerging and established artists. These include musical works such as those presented at the Pipes of Christmas, as well as the official Ellis Island Tartan.

Scholarships

We’re proud to sponsor eight scholarships for youth pursuing studies in the arts, including music, literature, drama, and history. A few of our many past recipients are pictured above. Read more about our scholarships here.

Awards
The Learned Kindred of Currie sponsors a number of awards each year within the arts and cultural community, including the Gaelic Literature Competition at Scotland’s Royal National Mod, and an academic research prize at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, Scotland’s Gaelic college on the Isle of Skye.
Commissions

Every year, we commission new music and cultural works to keep our traditions alive and support emerging and established artists. These include musical works such as those presented at the Pipes of Christmas, as well as the official Ellis Island Tartan.

Monuments Initiative
The Learned Kindred of Currie Monuments Initiative helps erect and preserve new and existing locations of cultural significance such as the Scottish Writers Museum in Edinburgh and Bale nam Bàrd (the bard’s home) on the Island of South Uist.

Partnerships and Sponsorships

Sponsorship Opportunities:

Experience the joy and spirit of the season by becoming a sponsor of our acclaimed Pipes of Christmas fundraising concert. Multiple sponsorship tiers are available to highlight your brand, engage with the community, and showcase your commitment to the arts.
Become a Sponsor
We also welcome discussions about customized sponsorship opportunities that align with your brand values and marketing goals. Whether it’s Tartan Day on Ellis Island, the Monuments Initiative, or another Learned Kindred program, we would love to discuss how we can work together.
DISCUSS SPONSORSHIP WITH US

Partnerships:

The Learned Kindred of Currie is dedicated to working hand-in-hand with cultural and heritage organizations worldwide to further the reach and impact of Scottish culture. By collaborating together, we amplify our efforts to educate, entertain, and connect our community and support the arts.

If your organization shares a passion for cultural heritage and has a vision for how we could work together, we invite you to reach out.

Contact Us

Contact Us

Questions? Need more info on sponsorships, partnerships, or an upcoming event? We’d love to hear from you. Reach out via the form below and we’ll be in touch!