Antiquarian Society talk

[M. A. C. Newsome]

I had the privledge of being invited to Birmingham, AL, this week to speak to the Antiquarian Society there, a collection of very dear women and a few of their guests (including a few kilt wearing husbands who are also members of the local St. Andrews Society).

I was invited to come speak on the subject of tartan. The way the woman who is in charge of their programming put it, she was tired of hearing about antique silver and old private gardens, but had always been interested in Scottish tartans and kilts, so she found me!

There were about 100 people present for my talk, mostly older women. I have to say, they were quite attentive and seemed very interested in the subject. The talk I gave was a variation on my "The Sources of the Tartans" article, detailing some of the 19th century references we have about tartans, how they came to be, and their impact on tartan today. Along the way I got to give a good overview of how tartan came to be such an important icon of Scottish identity, and its role in Scottish (and Scottish-American) culture today.

What was interesting to me was being able to give a presentation of this sort to a group that was not particularly geared towards Scottish historical or cultural interests. Usually I am invited to speak to St. Andrews Societies, Clan gatherings and the like. These women had no particular background or interest in Scottish culture, but they were very much into genealogy and many had Scottish background. The comments I received after the talk were all very positive, and I was particularly praised by one woman for being "not at all snooty!" (I had them all laughing a few times during the talk, which is always a good thing).

The Antiquarian Society were very gracious hosts, and treated my wife and I to a wonderful lunch afterwards. My wife snapped this photo of me on the grounds of the club we stayed at the night before, while waiting for our escorts to come collect us for the talk.

[ctbuchanan]

What a great opportunity for you to spread the tartan gospel!

[tulloch]

Glad you got to do that. Anything that gets the kilt out and seen as ordinary, (though it is always extraordinary), is great.

[piperdbh]

They're right, Maestro. You're not at all snooty.

[Cowher]

The Jacket, the hose, the sporran. You know your a luck man don't you.?.

[mookien]

Matt: Splendid threads! Many of us aspire to that look, but few achieve it. You are a role model for proper Scottish attire.

I wish I could have heard your talk. If it was recorded in a easily distributable way, I would like to get a copy. Otherwise, I will just have to settle for re-reading your excellent, and fun, article "The Sources of the Tartans".

Finally, I must second piperdbh's comment - in all my interactions with you in the relatively short time we have been acquainted, you are indeed "not at all snooty".

Slainte!

John

[M. A. C. Newsome]

Sadly, I was told there were plans to record the talk, but alas it did not happen. :-( More's the pity. You'll just have to invite me to come out to your neck of the woods!
M