The acting icon was this year’s Grand Marshal, with several high-profile politicians also heading across the Atlantic to the Big Apple.

The 27th annual New York Tartan Day parade has taken place in the rain as ominous clouds threatened to dampen the UK economy as a result of Donald Trump’s ‘liberation day’ tariffs. Led by this year’s Grand Marshal, Alan Cumming, the parade made its way up 6th Avenue from W 44th Street to W 55th Street.

It is just one of several Tartan Week events that have taken place in the Big Apple in the past few days to celebrate America’s historic ties with Scotland. Scottish Labour Leader Anas Sarwar, Scots Secretary Ian Murray, Scotland’s First Minister, John Swinney and Holyrood Deputy Presiding Officer Annabelle Ewing all joined the Tartan Day parade.

The march was dominated by the skirl of the pipes thanks to the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo. Last week, the Labour politicians also visited Washington, DC, with the Tattoo giving a performance on the steps of the Capitol Building, as politicians from Scotland lobby to draw investment into Scotland from US companies.

This time it was bystanders on the sidewalks of the Big Apple, where the streets were closed off with NYPD in attendance to ensure the event went ahead without incident.

The Tattoo’s performance director, Major Stevie Smalls MBE, told The Record: “It’s our 75th anniversary here this year so we are celebrating that in many ways. We’re across here playing at the New York Tartan Week, the Tartan Week parade.

“Experiencing the atmosphere in New York is exciting for all of us and the first time for many of us so we’re absorbing the atmosphere.”

The First Minister, who was last week accused by Scottish Lib Dems leader Alex Cole-Hamilton of using the New York trip as a “jolly”, shrugged off the criticism to praise the event.

He said: “Tartan Day and the wider festivities in New York reaffirm the historic friendship between our two nations, a friendship that is deep and strong, and that dates back centuries.”

Having met X-Men actor Cumming at the famous Algonquin hotel on 44th Street before the parade, the First Minister was later set to further Tartan Day celebrations at the iconic Carnegie Hall.

Performers at the theatre named after the venue’s benefactor, Scots tycoon Andrew Carnegie, who funded the building of the theatre in 1891, have included everyone from classical composers Tchaikovsky, Mahler, Dvořák and Rachmaninov to jazz greats Charlie Parker and Billie Holiday as well as The Beatles, Bob Dylan, Judy Garland and Frank Sinatra.

Though not an official Tartan Week event, this time organiser Gary Innes became the first Scot since Harry Lauder to book the venue for Scotland’s Hoolie in New York.

The accordionist and BBC radio presenter’s show included performances from some of Scotland’s traditional and folk royalty, including his award-winning group Mànran, vocalist Julie Fowlis, the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo and Dougie MacLean.

Hosted by Alan Cumming, the actor said: “It is all these amazing traditional Scottish music performers at Carnegie Hall. Dougie McLean wrote Caledonia which is this emotional song. It is just a great celebration of Scottish music and culture.”

The First Minister insisted Tartan Week is an important event marking Scotland’s influence on America throughout the centuries.

He said: “Scottish history and heritage are celebrated the world over and woven into the fabric of the United States. I know it means a great deal to the millions of Americans with Scottish connections.

“Today is a day to celebrate the best of Scotland and to promote the iconic and globally revered culture and heritage we have to offer. I recognise the significance of National Tartan Day and it is testament to the strength of the Scottish diaspora in the US.

“Tartan Day and the wider festivities in New York reaffirm the historic friendship between our two nations – a friendship that is deep and strong, and that dates back centuries.

“We want to continue to celebrate those ties, whilst also shining a spotlight on the vibrant, dynamic and innovative Scotland of today.”