JOHN Swinney has been pictured with Scottish actor Alan Cumming ahead of the annual Tartan Day parade in New York.
The First Minister is set to march alongside Cumming – who is grand marshal at this year's event – Scottish Secretary Ian Murray, Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar and Holyrood deputy presiding officer Annabelle Ewing.
The annual gathering celebrates Scotland’s culture and links with the US but has come amid the trade upheaval announced by US president Donald Trump earlier this week.
Sharing an image alongside Cumming on Saturday evening UK time, Swinney said: "Fabulous to catch up with Alan Cumming - Grand Marshal of the Tartan Day Parade - before leading Scotland’s delegation this afternoon."
Fabulous to catch up with Alan Cumming - Grand Marshal of the Tartan Day Parade - before leading Scotland’s delegation this afternoon. #NYCTartanWeek pic.twitter.com/P09H5ozo6p
— John Swinney (@JohnSwinney) April 5, 2025
Sarwar also shared a post on Twitter/X ahead of the parade, where he said he was "Tartan parade ready".
Tartan parade ready in NYC 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/mCVWnXTroJ
— Anas Sarwar (@AnasSarwar) April 5, 2025
Cumming was pictured wearing a kilt and leading the parade as he waved to the crowd.
Speaking during his visit in New York, Swinney sought to bolster ties with US companies, making clear that his administration was determined to continue business relationships despite the turbulence.
While attending a reception for business leaders hosted by the Scottish Chambers of Commerce, the First Minister said business ties between Scotland and the US will endure if “we bring people together”.
He added: “The conversations I have been having in New York with businesses that have invested in Scotland, are looking to invest in Scotland, or those that are considering investing, are all part of ensuring no matter what is going on politically or economically, the long and enduring links to the United States continue.
“Those links will only endure if we bring people together, whether it’s investors investing in Scotland, or Scottish companies coming out to the United States and promoting to a much larger market than exists at home in Scotland.
“As we navigate our way through turbulent times, let me reassure you the focus of the Scottish Government is about encouraging that culture of investment, of international development, of trade connections, company to company, with a crucial role for government to enable and to support those developments.”
Later on Saturday, Swinney gave a reading at the Kirkin’ Service at Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church alongside Ewing and Murray, before heading to see the crowds gather for the parade.
