Kirkin' 'O' The Tartan

The Scottish Society of Central California in continual celebrating of its annual Kirkin’ 'O' The Tartan, invites all descendants of Scotland to come and join us the weekend prior to the Fresno Highland Gathering and Games, for a century-old traditional ceremony that honors our ancestors and  our heritage.

The Kirkin’ 'O' The Tartan will be held on September 7th, 2008 10:00 AM

Holy Family Episcopal Church, 1135 E Alluvial, (Between Millbrook & Cedar)  in Fresno.

All Scottish American's and friends are cordially invited to attend.

Participants are encouraged to dressed in tartan traditional formal Scottish attire. We further ask that all participants be present at 9:30 am for registration and sure insure your family name is called during the ceremony.

Church service are led by a procession with a piper in front, followed by clergy and families dressed in tartan.

At the conclusion of the service, each clan name is called forward to place their tartan onto the altar for the blessing of the tartans. The blessings spoken praise the faith and fortitude of our fathers of the clans and honors the noble tradition that Scots proudly share.

Members are invited to bring something to share following the service.

For information, contact Past Chief Bill McLeod (439-8922) or Mary Anderson (227-8169)

A brief history behind "The Kirkin' 'O' The Tartan"

By Wm. Putnam

On July 25th, 1745, the young Prince Charles Edward Stewart, (Bonnie Prince Charles), returned from France and at Lochnanaugh, and began the enlistment of the Highland Clans for his abortive attempt to dethrone King George II of England. He intent was to restore the Scottish throne and the Royal House of Stewart.

After a succession of victorious battles against England, but now vastly outnumbered, exhausted and hungry, the reduced Highland ranks were utterly routed to Culloden on April 16th, 1746, thus ending the Highland War with England as victor.

To subdue the spirit of the Highlanders, the English Parliament invoked the Act of Proscription that banned the wearing of any sign of the Tartan, forbad any speaking in Gaelic, outlawed Scottish music, dancing, or the playing of the pipes, which I might add, the Act said "emitted an aggressive and warlike sound." (The pipes at that time were officially labeled an "instrument of war". but that's another story.) The tartan was no linger allowed to be worn by all Highlanders. An exception was permitted only by those who would serve his majesty the King of England, by joining his regiments. Many Highlanders lead by their true family convictions joined, just so they could wear a Tartan kilt.

It was 36 years before the Act of Proscription was finally revoked but, during all those years endured by our forefathers, the Highland churches of the time had a special day when  Highlanders gathered. Each clan member would carry a small piece of their Tartan concealed under their outer clothing and, with the right hand held over their precious pieces of sacred cloth, they all joined in prayer. Their prayer offerings were to plead with God, asking to speedily cause the repeal of the devastating Act of Proscription and restore the Highlanders culture.

When finally the Act was repealed, the Highlanders, as Cunningham wrote in his History of Scotland said: "[they]...returned with joy to their beloved kilt, no longer bound to the unmanly trews of the lowlanders." It is a spiritual continuation with this era of Scottish History that we celebrate "The Kirkin 'O' The Tartan".

Another point I would like to share briefly about the Kirkin, was back in 1941. The Rev. Peter Marshall, chaplain of the United States Senate and minister of Washington New York Presbyterian church also created a special Sunday service here in the United States. It was to give solace to Scottish-Americans involved in war. There was deep concern during the period of WWII, that Scottish-Americans were not signing up to fight on behalf of Britain. The Rev. Marshall wanted to instill vigor and hope among the Scottish-Americans in rejuvenating pride in their homeland. So the rally cry began with pipes and drums leading, we Scots heard the war cry and responded proudly with Kilt abound the knee. The wearing of the Tartan was allowed by our soldiers, and their Scotland pride restored.

Today, "The Kirkin' 'O' The Tartan" ceremony is similar to the ones conducted in the Scottish Highlands in 1745 and here in America, beginning in 1941. Its purpose is to help our children and us, to understand and remember our culture from whence we came, remembering what our great grand parents gave in the way of sacrifice to preserve our lineage, heritage and history. To this we join in unison by out motto...