OUTREACH & PROGRAMS
Advancing Scottish heritage and Celtic culture through education, the arts, and global community initiatives
For over 800 years, the MacMhuirich bardic family served as keepers of Gaelic culture and tradition. Today, the Learned Kindred of Currie continues this legacy through active cultural stewardship that builds on our heritage through education, artistry, and community support.
Our Impact by the Numbers:
Over the past 30+ years, our Scottish culture outreach has supported emerging artists, preserved important heritage landmarks, and inspired global audiences to rediscover and celebrate their ancestry.
scholarships awarded to emerging artists and students
organizations supported through community outreach
new artistic works commissioned and premiered
heritage sites preserved and commemorated
cultural awards and prizes presented annually
years supporting Scottish heritage and the arts
Scholarships & Educational Support
Education has always been at the heart of our mission to preserve Scottish culture. By partnering with leading institutions across Scotland, North America, and beyond, our scholarships support students advancing Celtic music, Gaelic studies, and the arts. We are proud to support the next generation of artists, musicians, and scholars who will be future torch-bearers of our tradition.
Piping & Traditional Music
The Alex Currie Memorial Scholarship for Bagpipe
Named for the famed Cape Breton piper who was a living representation of the distinctive Highland piping styles that existed among Cape Breton’s immigrant communities—styles that have largely disappeared from the piping landscape.
The Pipe Major Kevin Ray Blandford Memorial Scholarship for Bagpipe
Pays tribute to the founder of the R.P. Blandford & Son Pipe Band and creator of the original “Pipes of Christmas” studio recording, which became the foundation for our annual concerts.
The Private Bill Millin Memorial Scholarship for Bagpipe
Honors the memory of the famed D-Day bagpiper who played for his troops during the British landing at Sword Beach on June 6, 1944. The Pipes of Christmas performed a moving tribute to Millin in the year of his death.
Arts & Composition
The Col. William McMurdo Currie Memorial Scholarship for the Clarsach
Honors the memory of the founder of the original Clan Currie Society in Glasgow, Scotland in 1959.
The Clan Currie Scholarship for Music Composition
Earmarked for music students studying Traditional Scottish Music composition, celebrating the long-standing musical tradition of the MacMhuirich family of bards.
The Carol Hassert Memorial Scholarship for the Fine Arts
Remembers the late Carol Hassert, Edinburgh-born and beloved member of the Summit Parents Music Association, honoring her years of devotion to celebrating the arts.
Gaelic Research and Language Studies
The Duais Clann MhicMhuirich (Clan Currie Bursary)
Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, Isle of Skye
Awarded to students of Scotland’s Gaelic College who undertake research on the literature, poetry and history of Clan Currie.
The Angus MacMillan Memorial Prize
Rannsachadh na Gàidhealtachd Conference
Research prize for the best submission on the topic of the MacMhuirich Learned Kindred, presented in memory of the late Angus MacMillan, historian to the Clan Currie Society.
Awards & Recognition
Beyond our scholarship programs, we sponsor awards that celebrate excellence in Gaelic arts and cultural scholarship. These initiatives recognize outstanding achievement while encouraging the continued study and growth of our traditions.
We proudly sponsor the Gaelic Literature Competition at Scotland’s Royal National Mod, supporting poets and writers who keep the Gaelic literary tradition vibrant and evolving. These awards reflect our commitment to honoring artistic excellence across the full spectrum of Gaelic cultural expression.
The Society is also the Title Sponsor of the US National Scottish Harp Competition which brings together the finest harp (clarsach) performers in the country.
The Society has also sponsored the NYC Highland Dance Competition and Currie Culture Tents at select Highland Games and Gatherings.
Festivals & Events
The Learned Kindred of Currie organizes and participates in Scottish cultural events and celebrations throughout the year. Whether you’re experiencing one of our acclaimed concerts or dropping by the Currie tent at your local Highland Games , these gatherings create meaningful opportunities to connect with fellow heritage enthusiasts and celebrate our shared traditions.
Signature Events
The Pipes of Christmas
A joyful and reverent celebration of the Christmas season and the Celtic spirit, with live performances in New York, Summit NJ, and Boston MA, as well as a webcast for global audiences. The Pipes of Christmas is also our primary fundraising event for the year.
Tartan Day on Ellis Island
The largest Tartan Day event in the world, 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.
Highland Games Festivals
Throughout the summer, you’ll find the Learned Kindred of Currie at Highland Games and Celtic festivals across the United States, Canada, and Scotland. Our distinctive clan tent serves as a welcoming gathering place where visitors can learn about the MacMhuirich bardic tradition, explore their Scottish ancestry, and connect with our global family.
A highlight of our festival presence is “Be a Bard,” our hands-on activity that invites children to try their hand at traditional quill-and-ink writing. This interactive experience gives young visitors a tangible connection to Scottish literary traditions while sparking curiosity about their heritage.
We invite you to join us at an upcoming festival or host a tent in your area! Whether you’re a longtime member of our community or discovering us for the first time, we’d love to meet you in person and share stories of our shared Scottish heritage. For more information on volunteering or hosting your own Currie tent, contact us anytime.
Creative Commissions & New Works
Each year we commission new music and cultural works that celebrate our heritage through contemporary artistic expression. These cultural commissions support both emerging and established artists, ensuring our legacy remains dynamic and relevant.
From musical compositions premiered at The Pipes of Christmas to collaborative projects with artists of all stripes, our commissioned works celebrate the continuing contributions to our cultural heritage. Notable projects include the creation of the official Ellis Island Tartan and ongoing partnerships with composers, musicians, and filmmakers around the world.
Monuments & Heritage Preservation
Through our Monuments Initiative, we protect sites of historical importance to Scottish ancestry and Gaelic bardic tradition Our efforts include supporting the Scottish Writers Museum in Edinburgh and maintaining Baile nam Bàrd (the bard’s home) on South Uist—the ancestral seat of the MacMhuirich bardic family.
Community Outreach & Partnerships
In addition to our own programs, the Learned Kindred of Currie proudly supports local, national, and international organizations that share our values of education, community building, and cultural preservation.
Proceeds from The Pipes of Christmas and donations throughout the year help fund partnerships with organizations ranging from Save Ellis Island and Creative Scotland to community food banks and disaster relief efforts. Whether supporting grassroots cultural initiatives or responding to community needs, we honor the bardic tradition of service—using our voice and resources to strengthen the communities we are a part of.
Get Involved
Our programs are only possible through the generous support of our donors and partners. Whether you’re a volunteer, donor, sponsor, or partner, your support helps keep Gaelic culture vibrant and evolving. Join us to ensure Scottish heritage continues to inspire future generations!
Attend an event
Join us at a Highland Games festival, the Pipes of Christmas, Tartan Day on Ellis Island, or one of our other community events… and get to know the family in person!
Volunteer
We’re always looking for volunteers to help or host a Currie tent at Highland Games festivals, collect tickets at the Pipes of Christmas, and support our other community initiatives. Send us a note to express your interest and we’ll get you plugged in.
Make a donation
Help nurture the next generation of Scottish artists and scholars through tax-deductible donations. Your support funds scholarships, cultural commissions, heritage preservation, and community outreach efforts that keep our traditions thriving.
Partner with us
From cultural institutions to community leaders, our partners gain access to an engaged global audience while supporting programming that makes a real difference in keeping Scottish traditions thriving.