The "Kirkin' O the Tartan"

[piperdbh]

I think American "Highland Games" would be unrecognisable over here too.

And we drive on the wrong side of the road, 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.

[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.

[mookien]

[QUOTE=MacThomas;1133491]

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

Sorry, I could not access to the pic. Instead, I get to the following message : "We're sorry, we cannot find the page you requested." ?

The first time I went to the url, I received the same response, but upon subsequent attempts it worked fine. If you haven't already, try again. And, good luck - it's a nice picture.

[Jock Scot]

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.

[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

[MacThomas]

[QUOTE=mookien;1133523]

The first time I went to the url, I received the same response, but upon subsequent attempts it worked fine. If you haven't already, try again. And, good luck - it's a nice picture.

Ah it worked, very nice picture, thanks !

[Davey G]

When I saw the post I thought I'd see the photo rather than the link. I tried and got the same "sorry" message you did. Then I tried again and got the picture. In any case, you can go to my member page and see the picture under my "album". Sorry for the trouble!