The "Kirkin' O the Tartan"

[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.

[auld argonian]

I have to admit that threads that turn into discussions about what is/isn't "authentic Scottish tradition/behavior/dress" are one of the reasons that I've decided to spend less time on the forum. Not that my presence is some kind of blessing, of course, but it seems like they always go way off course before they're done.

I'm trying to walk the middle path between the "colonials" carrying things too far and the "natives" admonishing them for their excesses or misinterpretations.

The Kirkin' thing has been hashed around here in the past and those of us who have been here for a while are aware of its origins (thanks to folks like Todd, who always tries to keep the record straight); those that are recent arrivals may get the facts wrong or over-romanticize it but they usually get it sorted out pretty quickly. Perhaps our native members will take some consolation in the fact that any excesses on the part of the colonials are usually indulged in with good intentions and that, indeed, the Kirkin' ceremony was created with what would seem to me to be the very best intentions. The native might also take some consolation in the fact that the Tartan industry is alive and well, to whatever extent that it is, partially because of the demand created by the colonials "playing dress up Scotsman". Speaking as a citizen of the USA, it's no secret that when we do something, we tend to go all the way but I always thought that the rest of the world recognized that and found it as much a part of our charm as a people as it might be a fault. Criticism that's rendered with good intentions and in a constructive spirit is always welcome.

Anyway, Davey, it looks like it was a lovely event. Congratulations on your participation.

Best

AA