Kilts at funerals/memorial services

[Father Bill]

It's fascinating to note a slight cultural bias between America and Scotland. There is a difference of style that is showing up in the preferences here - not consistently but enough that it does show.

[Spartan Tartan]

Father Bill, you have a keen sense of the subtle. I always appreciate your commentary, but I wonder...where does Canada fall (in your opinion) with regards to America and Scotland?

[Tartan Tess]

Last summer, I met a man from Scotland who told me he had some tartan fabric at home from his family that was "Mourning tartan" he didn't know anything else about it.
Last month I was at Elsie's (The art of kilt making book) and asked her about it.
She said it would be MacFarlane black and white tartan.

[Father Bill]

Father Bill, you have a keen sense of the subtle. I always appreciate your commentary, but I wonder...where does Canada fall (in your opinion) with regards to America and Scotland?

Oh-h-h-h Spartan! You flatter me, and perhaps I respond from an inflated ego as a result. As Rabbie Burns noted, it's rough to see ourselves as others see us, but I'll try to share a bit of a perspective.


I think Canada had a very thorough and powerful Scottish and generally British influence in its formative history but is now slowly becoming increasingly American largely through the influence of the media, particularly the performing and electronic media. Canada was at first formed of those who remained devoutly British for a very long time. Canadians of the time took their identity from Britain more than from an internal point of view. Heck, we didn't have our own flag until 1967, and as a child when we sang thebut national anthem, that meant "God Save the Queen." Oh Canada was not adopted until later.

A second possible difference might be one that Pierre Berton a prolific, influential and now deceased Canadian writer, fierce patriot, and philosopher identified as an interesting phenomenon - the farther one gets from the equator, the cooler the temperament of the culture. Interesting though immeasurable theory, I think that it has some slight truth to it. (Think of the national character of European nations from Equator to north, even some of the difference between Scots and English.) It's hard to tease out, but I see definite elements of it in the discussions here. This is an extremely kind and mutually supportive discussion community, but there are differences which I think are largely born of cultural beliefs, and (thank you, God!) we are not all the same.

Thanks for a provocatively interesting question!

[Spartan Tartan]

Oh-h-h-h Spartan! You flatter me, and perhaps I respond from an inflated ego as a result. As Rabbie Burns noted, it's rough to see ourselves as others see us, but I'll try to share a bit of a perspective.


I think Canada had a very thorough and powerful Scottish and generally British influence in its formative history but is now slowly becoming increasingly American largely through the influence of the media, particularly the performing and electronic media. Canada was at first formed of those who remained devoutly British for a very long time. Canadians of the time took their identity from Britain more than from an internal point of view. Heck, we didn't have our own flag until 1967, and as a child when we sang thebut national anthem, that meant "God Save the Queen." Oh Canada was not adopted until later.

A second possible difference might be one that Pierre Berton a prolific, influential and now deceased Canadian writer, fierce patriot, and philosopher identified as an interesting phenomenon - the farther one gets from the equator, the cooler the temperament of the culture. Interesting though immeasurable theory, I think that it has some slight truth to it. (Think of the national character of European nations from Equator to north, even some of the difference between Scots and English.) It's hard to tease out, but I see definite elements of it in the discussions here. This is an extremely kind and mutually supportive discussion community, but there are differences which I think are largely born of cultural beliefs, and (thank you, God!) we are not all the same.

Thanks for a provocatively interesting question!

I was just teasing you along, but WOW! What a wonderful response...

[ThistleDown]

Jock, I beg to differ. At least up here (that is, Inverness, Nairn, the Black Isle and Easter Ross) Highland dress at a funeral is regarded as appropriate, if it is appropriately worn.

Now, if it is not it is not, of course.

[Jock Scot]

Jock, I beg to differ. At least up here (that is, Inverness, Nairn, the Black Isle and Easter Ross) Highland dress at a funeral is regarded as appropriate, if it is appropriately worn.

Now, if it is not it is not, of course.

I actually don't think we differ at all Rex. I did however, point out the pitfalls to the unwary of not doing their homework!

[Andy Ternay]

Tartan Tess said:

Last summer, I met a man from Scotland who told me he had some tartan fabric at home from his family that was "Mourning tartan" he didn't know anything else about it.
Last month I was at Elsie's (The art of kilt making book) and asked her about it.
She said it would be MacFarlane black and white tartan.

Funny to see this as I had just finished reading the Wikipedia entry on Tartans and found this:

Mourning tartans, though quite rare, are associated with death and funerals. They are usually designed using combinations of black and white.

The source for this is on the Tartans of Scotland page and the entry there is very brief:

Mourning Tartans

As the name implies these are used in connection with death, and are usually a design using a combination of black and white. As usually found, a few existing tartans are already suited to funerals but where specially created the rules appear to be to replace over checks with white whilst maintaining a black ground.

An example is Stewart Mourning, a late design based upon Royal Stewart but having a black ground and white over check. This design is found only in a very rare collection, Clan Originaux.

This is perhaps the most unnecessary type of tartan ever conceived.

[Cowher]

I think these conversations of when we should or should not wear the kilt is a bit irritating to me. When I joined this forum I did so to learn about kilts, to find MY style of wearing the kilt, to meet good people who are civil with interesting hobbies and lives, but last because I have fallen in love with the kilt and I dream of a day where the kilt isn't looked at as odd of as the negative connotation of a costume.
If we want to be able to wear kilts whenever we want. We need to wear them whenever we want. We should not ask permission or worrie if it is acceptable.
I went on a hunting trip to upstate NY last year with a good friend of mine wile we were there he found out a close family member dies the night before. I only had my camo and orange packed but I did have my kilt and a nice sweater for a pub we were going to hit on the way back from the trip. I borrowed a white shirt and a black tie and wore my navy almost black sweater. We went to the cemetery and the small service went on. Everyone mingled for a wile and at some point made their way to my friend and in turn me. They said thank you for coming and then asked why I was wearing a kilt but didn't have pipes with me.
I told them it was the most appropriate clothing I had with me but also that I was thinking of all the loved ones I lost and family who had past a rich heritage on to me and the kilt represented that to me. The woman who died was also a sister in the faith to me so after telling this to everyone who was there and who asked me about the kilt most of them had new tears in their eyes and said that that was the nicest thing some one could do especially because I never met the woman but found her life important enough to honor her by wearing a garment that means so much to me.

[Riverkilt]

Have worn the kilt to three local memorial services for friends. Never a problem and in my opinion was appropriately dressed.

After one service the parents of the deceased made a point to thank me for wearing the kilt in honor of their late daughter's Scottish heritage.