Field Trip to the Scottish Tartans Museum

**Tartan Hiker** · 4th February 08, 09:30 PM

Today the drama teacher at my high school and I took her technical theater class on a field trip to the Scottish Tartans Museum in Franklin, NC. We were hosted by our own Matt Newsome, and a fine time was had by all.

Here is Matt telling the students about the early development of the kilt.

Another shot in a different part of the museum.

While the kids were browsing in the gift shop the FedEx man and the USPS letter carrier arrived with packages. I got to see Matt open several bundles of tartan fabric. Just like Christmas!
In one of the packages he found this little gem...a gift from our own Kevin Kinney at Empire Canvas Works. A wee leather "kiltmaker on board" kilt pin, complete with needle and spool of thread.
Here's Matt modeling the new pin against his Carolina tartan kilt apron.

While there I got to look at one of Kevin's new "Inverness Capes". What a garment! If you are looking for a rain cape, look no farther, because this one is GREAT. Heavy, waterproof, and a genuine work of art.
http://www.empirecanvasworks.com/stormcape.htm

Finally, a parting shot of Matt and yours truly at the museum entrance.

Thanks, Matt, for the great tour!

**BoldHighlander** · 4th February 08, 09:40 PM

Originally Posted by Tartan Hiker

Today the drama teacher at my high school and I took her technical theater class on a field trip to the Scottish Tartans Museum in Franklin, NC. We were hosted by our own Matt Newsome, and a fine time was had by all.

Cool! Great photos!

Originally Posted by Tartan Hiker

While the kids were browsing in the gift shop the FedEx man and the USPS letter carrier arrived with packages. I got to see Matt open several bundles of tartan fabric. Just like Christmas!

Hey! Was one of those Moden Mackay /House of Edgar?!

Originally Posted by Tartan Hiker

In one of the packages he found this little gem...a gift from our own Kevin Kinney at Empire Canvas Works. A wee leather "kiltmaker on board" kilt pin, complete with needle and spool of thread.
Here's Matt modeling the new pin against his Carolina tartan kilt apron.

VERY COOL!

**beloitpiper** · 4th February 08, 10:46 PM

Best. Field trip. EVER.

And look how bonnie Matt looks!!!

**Jock Scot** · 5th February 08, 02:27 AM

I wonder what the students made of the trip?

**McNulty** · 5th February 08, 05:19 AM

That looked like it was a lot of fun and educational. How many students went on the field trip?
Nulty

**Kiltedmusiclover** · 5th February 08, 05:24 AM

What a great field trip!
I bet this is one the kids will remember for a long time.

**McMurdo** · 5th February 08, 05:35 AM

Excellent pictures, and a great idea for a field trip, hopefully the students enjoyed it as much as you did. Also I have to say that is an interesting kilt pin another example of the fine workmanship of a great number of xmarkers.

**M. A. C. Newsome** · 5th February 08, 05:49 AM

Originally Posted by BoldHighlander

[FONT="Georgia"]Hey! Was one of those Moden Mackay /House of Edgar?!

Well.... actually it was! lol.... Actually, to tell the truth, two of them were! House of Edgar somehow duplicated my order, so I mistakenly received two lengths of cloth for your kilt. I've got an email in to them currently to see if they need the cloth back, or if it was really meant for somewhere else, or what. Depending on what they say, you folks may be seeing a thread here with me trying to find a home for some modern Mackay heavy weight tartan!

**M. A. C. Newsome** · 5th February 08, 05:51 AM

Tartan Hiker,

Thanks for sharing the great photos. I really had a good time with the class -- you were right when you said these were not your average high school kids. They were interested, engaged, and really well behaved. Several asked questions at the end about their own family tartans.

I don't think that you mentioned that they came to the museum in preparation for a production of Brigadoon that will be running from April 10 - 13 this spring at their high school. If all the kids involved in the production are this enthusiastic, it should be a great show!

Aye,
Matt

**macwilkin** · 5th February 08, 05:53 AM

I don't think that you mentioned that they came to the museum in preparation for a production of Brigadoon that will be running from April 10 - 13 this spring at their high school. If all the kids involved in the production are this enthusiastic, it should be a great show!

I wonder if I could make a valid case for taking my Ozarks culture class to the museum on an extended field trip?

T.