Kirking

[Jock Scot]

I don't wish to be contraversial here, but why?

[California Highlander]

Pretty funny, that is almost exactly what this article from the STM says.

http://www.scottishtartans.org/kirkin.htm

"Ask any Scot or Scottish expatriate about the Kirkin’, and chances are you will be met with a questioning look and an admission of ignorance of this supposedly centuries-old Scottish tradition."

[LeeAnne]

Pretty funny, that is almost exactly what this article from the STM says.

http://www.scottishtartans.org/kirkin.htm

"Ask any Scot or Scottish expatriate about the Kirkin’, and chances are you will be met with a questioning look and an admission of ignorance of this supposedly centuries-old Scottish tradition."

With good reason. A quick Google establishes that "Kirking of the Tartan" is an American invention, and not a Scottish tradition at all. (I must say it sounds fishy, even pre-google. Why would you feel the need to have a church ceremony for an article of clothing?) Not every Scot would be ignorant of the term. But "kirking" isn't indicative of any sort of tradition, it's simply Scots for "going to church".

[Holcombe Thomas]

Why a Kirking of the Tartans? It's one more way to get folks into church and having a good time while doing so. Just another way to reach out to the parishioners and those who might become parishioners.

Holcombe

[McElmurry]

I don't wish to be contraversial here, but why?

Jock Scot,

You provide such well considered answers I believe you deserve one. I have attended Presbyterian churches for 40 odd years in Idaho, Utah, and California, and have never come across a kirkin of the tartan. It is not the type of thing that is on the annual calendar of most or even many churches.

If I search for a kirkin of the tartan in my area I find it on the calendar of our local Caledonian Club of Sacramento and the Saint Andrews Society of Sacramento. It is held at Fremont Presbyterian Church. Both the Callie Club and Church have been around for 130 years, I have no idea how long the kirkin of the tartan has been a local event.

My search turned up an interesting result. Apparently, the event is popular among at least some non Scots to the point that one went to the trouble of designing a tartan for all to use at the occasion.

http://www.tartanregister.gov.uk/tar....aspx?ref=1280

If the kirkin of the tartan has been going on locally since the 1940s I doubt many folks can tell you why it is done. This area was settled by English speakers after the gold rush of 1849 and received a big influx of people after WW II, so a 70 year old tradition is well established by local standards.

It is held in October so if I go to my first one this year I will ask around and report back what I find.