Scotland/Norway Connection

[Pour1Malt]

ai cuid nae help but notice...

thot a few o oir fellow rabble o kilties arr in Norway....

an since ai am a bit o a mutt (Scottish oan ma mithers side an Norwegian oan ma Faithers side...)

ai'm interested in the auld Norwegian culture tae...

an ai luv the traditional tattoos fraim the Tattoo airtist Erik Reime...

(Freelander Sporrano provided the link afore...)

http://www.tattoo.dk/eriks/eriks_dk_ramme.htm

they's also a Dumfries/Norway link....

During the Second World War, Norway was invaded by German forces and many Norwegians fled to Britain, many to Dumfries where they were given the best of Scottish hospitality.

http://www.norway.org.uk/edinburgh/events/dumfries.htm

an quite a few Norwegians still visit Dumfries.... (we ha 6 here jus twa weeks ago...)

an Dumfries still receives a muckle xmas tree fraim Norway every year....

SO....

ai'm curious if any o ya other kilties hae Norway connections...

an why oor Norway braithers wear kilts....

?????????

[macwilkin]

Ironically, P1M, I am giving a talk on this very subject at the local Scandinavian Society next month at their Midsommar (Midsummer) festivities, which happens to fall on June 24, the anniversary of Bannockburn.

There are many connections between Scotland and the Nordic Countries, beginning with "The Maid of Norway", and Norway's long influence, politically and culturally with the Orkneys and the Shetlands. Scottish soldiers fought for Gustavas Aldophus, King of the Swedes (The Protestant "Lion of the North"), and also fought in Norway at the valley of Gudbrandsdal. where in 1612, Scots in Swedish service, under Colonel George Sinclair, were attacked by Norwegian farmer. There is a tartan that was said to have been based on a jacket recovered at the site of the massacre.

Quite a few Highland clans have Nordic roots -- one that comes to mind are the Gunns.

As you mentioned, one of the strongest connections came during WWII, when the Norwegians used Scotland as a base to flee the Nazi Occupation, especially Shetland, where the famous "Shetland Bus" was based. After WWII, the Caledonian Society of Norway (The Cally) was founded, and I'm sure Freelander can tell you more about it! They recently designed a Norwegian tartan which is quite handsome.

Regards,

Todd

[Freelander Sporrano]

Here is the Gudbrandsdal Tartan



Source: Mrs Gunhild Lochen, Vagamo, Norway.
Status: Approved by the Bunad-og Folkedraktsradet.
Date: 18th Century

Found here

http://houseoftartan.co.uk/house/tfinder.htm

In this picture you can see it's use in the waistcoat



Info on the Norwegian Centenial Tartan

Here's Norman President of the Cally. He's holding the tartan around his waist to simulate the kilt he now owns and wears with pride. I'll find a photo of that someware in my archives.

[Pour1Malt]

ai like thot Gudbrandsdal Tartan !

ta david!

[James]

On various walking trips to Norway back in the 70's I noticed what appeared to be a tartan element in the traditional dress of the ladies. On asking, I was told that it was a relic of the Scottish mercenaries who had fought in Norway-I think against the Swedes.

James

[porrick]

...

an why oor Norway braithers wear kilts....

?????????

Mixed up? My heritage is Irish, English, Norwegian, Swedish and quite probably some Scottish in there too. My Irish connection is with the Mac Murchadha (Anglisized as Murphy) sept in Ulster. The name of the Clan Donald sept of MacMurchie was made MacMurphy and Murphy in Arran and so it is likely that some of the name in Ulster will be of Scottish descent. Can neither prove nor rule out that connection.

That is part of the bckground to the Murphy/Tara tartan being proudly worn in Norway.

There is a WW II memorial close to us here by the Arctic Circle in recognition of the fighting and losses of the Scottish Guards.

Cajunscot has given a brief summary of ties. In addition there are also the language ties - or the influence of the Nordic languages in Scotland and northern England today.

Kirk, birn, ken are a few of many Nordic words used today.

P1M:
there are posts where you have seen the need to add the English words to translate from your local tongue. Interestingly enough, the Scottish words you have translated are perfectly understandable to speakers of Norwegian...

[Freelander Sporrano]

I noticed what appeared to be a tartan element in the traditional dress of the ladies. On asking, I was told that it was a relic of the Scottish mercenaries who had fought in Norway-I think against the Swedes.

James

You may find this of interest

http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...norway1612.htm

[macwilkin]

Another web site to peruse, this one about the famous "Shetland Bus":

http://www.shetland-heritage.co.uk/shetlandbus/

And, a nice web site about the history and culture of the Orkney Islands:

http://www.orkneyjar.com/index.html

Cheers,

Todd

[mudd]

I read somewhere that the work "Kilt" was derived from a Norse word that means "to bind together with a belt". True?

[porrick]

I read somewhere that the work "Kilt" was derived from a Norse word that means "to bind together with a belt". True?

Yes, the etymology of kilt is the Norse kiltre, meaning "to turn up".

Thanks, mudd, that is a good reminder of a concrete connection