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Our February program will be our annual presentation on a local civic project. Jay Nish, co-director of the Saint Andrew's Foundation, will present his organization's vision for The National Scottish Cultural Center right here in Albany. The organization expects the completed National Scottish Cultural Center to provide an international tourism destination.

The National Scottish Cultural Center will be comprised of three distinct elements: the Scottish Cultural Museum; the National School of Piping and Dance; and the Highland Games Fields. The Scottish Cultural Museum will be a dynamic, state-of-the-art facility that will showcase Scotland's rich history, its people and their achievements. The National School of Piping and Dance will provide pipers, dancers, and musicians of all levels with the finest instructors, tools, and programs available. The Highland Games Fields will be a permanent home for the annual Capital District Scottish Games, one of the United States' preeminent Highland Games.

Jay will speak on how they organized the project, how they acquired international stakeholders, and how they created their master plan. The Saint Andrew's Foundation has purchased land near Albany in the Town of New Scotland. This land is currently being developed to host the 2005 Capital District Scottish Games with a groundbreaking for the National Scottish Cultural Center expected in 2006.