Walking Staff

[Tobus]

You'd think, when it comes to "the national stick of Scotland" if it mattered, finer distinctions would be made.

"National stick of Scotland"???? To my knowledge, nobody has ever suggested that there is such a thing. Nor would there be any purpose or logic in doing so. A stick is a stick, and is used for many purposes by many different people. Walking/working sticks were not invented in Scotland and aren't even iconic to the Scottish people or their culture. The very idea of a "national stick of Scotland" makes about as much sense as a "national toothbrush of Scotland".

Don't get me wrong; stick-making is a fine craft, and is practised with much skill in Scotland. Such exhibitions of craftsmanship are a good thing for promoting old-world skills and history/tradition. But stick-making is just as well developed in Wales, England, etc. They have a lot of competitions and shows where people demonstrate their creations (as well as advertise their wares for sale). But it's rather futile to try to pigeon-hole an entire country like Scotland with one definition of a particular type of stick, and I'm not sure why we would be looking for such a thing.

[creagdhubh]

"National stick of Scotland"???? To my knowledge, nobody has ever suggested that there is such a thing. Nor would there be any purpose or logic in doing so. A stick is a stick, and is used for many purposes by many different people. Walking/working sticks were not invented in Scotland and aren't even iconic to the Scottish people or their culture. The very idea of a "national stick of Scotland" makes about as much sense as a "national toothbrush of Scotland".

Don't get me wrong; stick-making is a fine craft, and is practised with much skill in Scotland. Such exhibitions of craftsmanship are a good thing for promoting old-world skills and history/tradition. But stick-making is just as well developed in Wales, England, etc. They have a lot of competitions and shows where people demonstrate their creations (as well as advertise their wares for sale). But it's rather futile to try to pigeon-hole an entire country like Scotland with one definition of a particular type of stick, and I'm not sure why we would be looking for such a thing.

Precisely, Tobus. Well said, mate.

[Alan H]

I saw the most GORGEOUS walking staff at Costa Mesa this weekend. It was head-height on the lass that was using it, and the top was carved like a Viking dragon.... just beautiful. I'd never use one, but man...if I was going to, I'd take one like that!

[Nathan]

This reply is rather rushed and I have not read all the posts but, I think I get the gist of what this is about. If you look at the shape of the cromach it is shaped for a function. Cromag ciobair tells you what it is, a shepherds hook or crook. It is used to catch and hold sheep, by the shape of the ones in the photos here they are basically shaped to catch the sheep by the neck as it moves away from you. I have ones made out of light metal with the hook shaped so that I can catch the sheep by its neck but, also by its hind leg. As I get older the hind leg option becomes more relevant. It was not necessary to say cromag ciobair because the function tells you what it is, thus cromag is initially a shepherds hook or crook. It is used to catch and hold sheep. Those of you with some idea of Highland history and the clearances could find this a bit ironical about how the original cromag ciobair has been adopted as an accessory to Highland dress. If I have missed the point of this post sorry.

I agree that it's ironic. The landowners of the Highlands really were (and some still are) shepherds. The hardy, imported cheviot sheep led not only to the boom of the Scottish wool industry, but also created a financial incentive for landowners to clear their estates of poor, kelp farmers and crofters to give the sheep ample room to graze.

The result was the wholesale transformation of the culture of the Highlands. Before the '45, the average kilted Highlander was a Gaelic-speaking, sometimes crofter, sometimes mercenary or clan soldier who spent his time piping, fiddling, dancing, sharing songs and telling stories. By the Victorian era, the average kilted Highlander was an estate and title holder who was educated at the private schools of the South, spoke little or no Gaelic and spent time hunting (with horses and hounds) and stalking on these comparatively empty Highland estates. It is from this era that the idea of only wearing Highland attire in the Highlands took hold. Many of the landowners weren't really Gaels to begin with, so it made sense for Highland attire to be an appropriate costume when in the Highlands because this removed the question of Gaelic ethnicity from the equation. It would be perfectly appropriate for anyone, even a German monarch, to wear Highland dress, as long as they did so in the Highlands (or even Edinburgh).

In contrast, it was taken as a given by the cleared crofters that their traditions belonged to the clann nan gaidheal and not the land itself. Like themselves, it was therefore portable.

The cromack is not only a symbol of a shepherd, it is a metaphorical symbol of leadership which goes back to Egyptian times. Osiris is depicted holding a crook as a symbol of his leading of a flock of Egyptians up the Nile. Similarly, Christian Bishops carry a crook for the same reason to express the same sentiment.

In addition to its rich symbolism, it is a very practical item. Not only can it catch a sheep, it assists one hiking up a mountain and provides a comfortable post on which to lean while watching a pipe band competition or a heavy event.

We are all a product of our history. I am glad that I can recognize these historical facts and hold no ill will or grudge toward the descendants of the people who cleared my ancestors. I forgive, but of course, it would be folly to forget.

[MacKenzie]

In addition to its rich symbolism, it is a very practical item. Not only can it catch a sheep, it assists one hiking up a mountain and provides a comfortable post on which to lean while watching a pipe band competition or a heavy event.

And provides an occupation for your hands since your attire is bereft of pockets to deposit them in.

[Calgacus]

Another song that mentions a cromack

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U0tLTm0kaHQ

Enjoy!

[S Mitchell]

And provides an occupation for your hands since your attire is bereft of pockets to deposit them in.

Now, see! I don't much need a staff for walking as I don't do much hiking, but having something to occupy my hands would be stellar. I'm a major hands in the pockets kind of guy, except when I talk. I tend to talk with my hands.

So, well, come to think of it, given how much I talk, I don't suppose I need pockets or a walking staff after all!

[Tobus]

Now, see! I don't much need a staff for walking as I don't do much hiking, but having something to occupy my hands would be stellar.

Honestly, that's one of the things I really love about a staff or cromach. If I'm hiking, or even walking all day at a Highland Games, my hands tend to swell up and get puffy to the point of being painful. But using a walking staff that I can grab at about chest level (and switching hands regularly) keeps that to a minimum. And it's very handy for all the standing around time too, to keep my hands from just hanging there like limp noodles or having to clasp them behind my back.

Of course, keeping an adult beverage in one hand helps with that too.

[creagdhubh]

I agree that it's ironic. The landowners of the Highlands really were (and some still are) shepherds. The hardy, imported cheviot sheep led not only to the boom of the Scottish wool industry, but also created a financial incentive for landowners to clear their estates of poor, kelp farmers and crofters to give the sheep ample room to graze.

The result was the wholesale transformation of the culture of the Highlands. Before the '45, the average kilted Highlander was a Gaelic-speaking, sometimes crofter, sometimes mercenary or clan soldier who spent his time piping, fiddling, dancing, sharing songs and telling stories. By the Victorian era, the average kilted Highlander was an estate and title holder who was educated at the private schools of the South, spoke little or no Gaelic and spent time hunting (with horses and hounds) and stalking on these comparatively empty Highland estates. It is from this era that the idea of only wearing Highland attire in the Highlands took hold. Many of the landowners weren't really Gaels to begin with, so it made sense for Highland attire to be an appropriate costume when in the Highlands because this removed the question of Gaelic ethnicity from the equation. It would be perfectly appropriate for anyone, even a German monarch, to wear Highland dress, as long as they did so in the Highlands (or even Edinburgh).

In contrast, it was taken as a given by the cleared crofters that their traditions belonged to the clann nan gaidheal and not the land itself. Like themselves, it was therefore portable.

The cromack is not only a symbol of a shepherd, it is a metaphorical symbol of leadership which goes back to Egyptian times. Osiris is depicted holding a crook as a symbol of his leading of a flock of Egyptians up the Nile. Similarly, Christian Bishops carry a crook for the same reason to express the same sentiment.

In addition to its rich symbolism, it is a very practical item. Not only can it catch a sheep, it assists one hiking up a mountain and provides a comfortable post on which to lean while watching a pipe band competition or a heavy event.

We are all a product of our history. I am glad that I can recognize these historical facts and hold no ill will or grudge toward the descendants of the people who cleared my ancestors. I forgive, but of course, it would be folly to forget.

Extremely well said, Nathan!!!

[creagdhubh]

And provides an occupation for your hands since your attire is bereft of pockets to deposit them in.

Or, one can emulate us Macphersons...a hand on the cromach, the other holding a pint/dram.