Kilting up for anniversary of Bannockburn?

**jumary** · 23rd June 16, 08:26 PM

Is anyone going to wear their kilts to honor the memory of the Battle of Bannockburn?
I am teaching a summer school English class, and I think I am going to wear my kilt and have the kids read "Bannockburn" by Robert Burns.
I am also a piper, and I may play "Scots, Wha Hae" for them.
It should be a fun day and hopefully the students, grades 6 - 8, will enjoy it and get something out of it.

**figheadair** · 23rd June 16, 10:16 PM

Bannockburn is not widely celebrated here in Scotland, most Scots wouldn't even be able to tell you what the date of the battle was. More but by no means the majority know the date (year) of the Declaration of Arbroath.

Give this, and the fact that the kilt has nothing historically to do with Bannockburn means that most people here won't put theirs on today to commemorate the battle.

**Mael Coluim** · 24th June 16, 02:23 AM

Yes, indeed and thank goodness it's Kilted Friday, too!

**davidlpope** · 24th June 16, 03:51 AM

Originally Posted by figheadair

Bannockburn is not widely celebrated here in Scotland, most Scots wouldn't even be able to tell you what the date of the battle was. More but by no means the majority know the date (year) of the Declaration of Arbroath.

Give this, and the fact that the kilt has nothing historically to do with Bannockburn means that most people here won't put theirs on today to commemorate the battle.

Peter,

What dates of historical significance, if any, are observed?

**Jock Scot** · 24th June 16, 05:27 AM

12th August(the Glorious Twelfth)------------opening day of the grouse shooting season.

**The Q** · 24th June 16, 05:58 AM

Originally Posted by davidlpope

Peter,

What dates of historical significance, if any, are observed?

For the purposes of kilt wearing in Scotland... None, for any other purpose, very little, the only Public holiday associated with Scotland is November 30th St Andrews Day and generally they don't celebrate St Andrew or Scotland but just use it as another holiday.

You have to remember the Kilt is an Item of the Gaels dress, the majority Scots are not decended from Gaels, the majority of Scots will only ever wear a kilt to a wedding, IF the future Wife Says he will.
Both my sisters were married in central Scotland and there wasn't a kilt in sight. My Fluent Gaidhlig Speaking Brother (born in England), was married in a kilt... in England.... One of My nephews from central Scotland, is I believe planning to get married in a kilt... while on holiday in Cyprus next year.!!!

As for other Purposes It's is only in recent times that any attention was paid any of the battles or events of the past, it is the Rise of the SNP and Tourisum that has brought about any interest in things that may be 800 years ago.
The Assumption of many round the world, that even the nearest event of nearly 300 years ago, has any relevance to the majority of Scots, is false.
Most could not name, a day, date, or even for sure what the event was about. Sadly part of the recent interest was caused by that Historic atrocity "Braveheart" and that is the limit for many is knowledge of their own history.
I would also point out that the lack of interest / accurate knowledge of History, is not just a Scots failing, the same is true of any part of the UK.

Just an Odd point you are going to recite Burns, wear a Kilt, Play the Pipes in an..... ENGLISH class?

**jumary** · 24th June 16, 06:25 AM

Originally Posted by Jock Scot

12th August(the Glorious Twelfth)------------opening day of the grouse shooting season.

My grandfather lived in Western Pennsylvania and always hunted grouse. Thanks Jock for reminding me of him. As an aside, his last name was Granger, and mom mom swears they were Scottish, but I have only been able to see it as an English name. Do you happen to know of any Scottish Grangers?

**neloon** · 24th June 16, 06:32 AM

Originally Posted by jumary

Do you happen to know of any Scottish Grangers?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Katherine_Grainger

Alan

**Jock Scot** · 24th June 16, 06:33 AM

Originally Posted by jumary

My grandfather lived in Western Pennsylvania and always hunted grouse. Thanks Jock for reminding me of him. As an aside, his last name was Granger, and mom mom swears they were Scottish, but I have only been able to see it as an English name. Do you happen to know of any Scottish Grangers?

I cannot recall knowing any Scottish Grangers, sorry.

**The Q** · 24th June 16, 06:41 AM

Grainger. Originally meant a man who looked after the grainge ( store houses , grain, later a farm away from the Lords main Premises) for the Lord of the manor. It is of Anglo Norman Derivation.
However the Normans married / took over from both Scottish And English Aristocracy ( Robert the Bruce, John De Balliol etc) Scottish royalty for much of their history Spoke French / Norman French (Before probably Gaelic, later English). Therefore they would have used the term Grainger for the man doing that role. Hence there are Graingers in Southern and Central Scotland.
However generally It is an English Surname.
You should also remember there has been an interchange of people between England and Scotland for thousands of years neither populations nor borders are permanent. They may have moved from England to Scotland at any time.
I would add both my sisters are married in Scotland to Scots but both their married names derive from Anglo Norman ancestry