The "Kirkin' O the Tartan"

[Davey G]

http://s1285.beta.photobucket.com/us...tr2-1.jpg.html

Here we are in the choir loft following the Kirkin' O the Tartan at Westminster Presbyterian Church, Portland, OR October 28th. Organist, Michael Barnes in a PC outfit and Black Watch, Sally in what looks like MacGregor Hunting, Carol in Scottish National and Davey G in MacGregor Hunting. The choir performed a beautiful arrangement of Amazing Grace with Bagpipe accompaniment.

[mookien]

Two very handsome and attractive, Scottish-attired couples! Thanks for posting. My brother attended a "Kirkin' O the Tartan" in Sacramento the same day.

[Jock Scot]

A question, if I may?

"Do you good ladies and gentlemen of the USA go to a "Kirkin' O the Tartan" service thinking that it is a Scots thing?

[Richrail]

I never heard of it before seeing someone mention on here. So I looked it up.

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

[mookien]

... "Do you good ladies and gentlemen of the USA go to a "Kirkin' O the Tartan" service thinking that it is a Scots thing?

I'm neither a gentleman nor a lady, but I am from the USA, so I'll hazard an answer. A "Kirkin O the Tartan" is as American as motherhood and apple pie. And, I hope you Scots will join us someday.

[Jock Scot]

I think it was decided at the Treaty of Paris that you chaps "over there" did not need us "over here" any more and you lot "over there" are perfectly capable in doing your own thing without us "over here". It does not stop you lot "over there" from "borrowing" and "adjusting" our history and traditions though and inventing a few too.

[mookien]

I think it was decided at the Treaty of Paris that you chaps "over there" did not need us "over here" any more and you lot "over there" are perfectly capable in doing your own thing without us "over here". It does not stop you lot "over there" from "borrowing" and "adjusting" our history and traditions though and inventing a few too. ...

Jock: The only thing I remember about the Treaty of Paris was that it ended the war between the U.S. and Britain in 1783. I just can't imagine us ever "borrowing" or "adjusting" history or traditions from the Brits.

John

PS: Sorry for this reply being a bit tardy. Immediately after I posted my last comment, I had to consume my daily ration of Taylors of Harrogate Scottish Breakfast tea and London Bridge crumpets.

[piperdbh]

A question, if I may?

"Do you good ladies and gentlemen of the USA go to a "Kirkin' O the Tartan" service thinking that it is a Scots thing?

No, Jock. We know it's one of our own inventions, and as far as I know each church creates/adapts its own version of the Kirkin', so it's not as if there is a huge movement of organized Kirkin'-promoters going from city to city trying to convince us that it's a Scots invention.

[macwilkin]

No, Jock. We know it's one of our own inventions, and as far as I know each church creates/adapts its own version of the Kirkin', so it's not as if there is a huge movement of organized Kirkin'-promoters going from city to city trying to convince us that it's a Scots invention.

It's been my observation & experience over the years that the myth of the Kirkin' as some sort of relic from the days of the Proscription is far more prevelant in North America & Australia than the "real" history.

And one minor detail: the originator of the service, Dr. Peter Marshall, was a Coatbridge man, so while the Kirkin' is a "Scottish-American" custom, the "father" was from Scotland. If anything, the real story behind it is far more inspiring to me, as it demonstrates the support of the Scottish diaspora for the homeland during the Second World War.

T.

[Downunder Kilt]

Totally agree with you Todd, pity some folk make up things, and others believe, when the real story is so inspirational.