Scottish Culture

A Burns night celebration includes a reading of his poem "Ode To A Haggis" and a meal of haggis, tatties-an'-neeps.

Kirkin' o' the Tartan - Held at different times.

The origins of the Kirkin' O' The Tartans may reach back over 250 years. After the tragedy of the 1745 Jacobite Rising, tartans, along with the kilt, bagpipes, and battle weapons, were outlawed in Scotland. Legend tells us that Scots were unwilling to part with their beloved tartans. Though wearing tartan in public could draw severe penalties, it is said that many placed pieces of their tartan in their Bibles. When attending church, they would be called forward to receive a blessing. As they knelt before the minister, they would open their Bibles to where the tartan lay. The minister would place his hand on the open Bible, over the tartan, and give the blessing. Receiving a blessing on the tartan in this way, was said to receive blessing on all those of the clan, wherever they were. Whether or not there is some degree of truth in this legend, we may never know.

During WWII, there was concern that Americans were not signing up to fight on behalf of Britain.

Rev. Peter Marshall, Scottish-born Chaplain of the USA Senate, attempted to instill pride in their homeland among Scots living in the USA. The Kirkin' o' the Tartan ceremony was created by Rev. Marshall and held in the Presbyterian churches across the USA.

During the Kirking, which uses some of the Scottish Church form, a display of clan tartans is presented for blessing. Swatches of individual clan tartans are offered, rededicating to God's service the family members identified by the particular tartan.

Saint Andrew's Society of Washington, DC - Last Sunday in April - St. Andrew Society of Southern California - 2nd Sunday in Nov.

Tartan Day - April 6, 2004
Tartan day began in 1998, the same year the Scotland Act was past re-establishing the Scottish Parliament, and it is now firmly part of the US calendar.

Scottish dignitaries visit New York and Wash. DC, where there are parades and other activities.

Web Sites: scotland.gov.uk/pages/news/2004/03/SENW1048.aspx | Tartan Week
Scottish events and gatherings in U.S.A. | Australia | New Zealand | Canada