Kirkin' o' the Tartan - Piper's chime in!

[Prester John]

Ok guys, here is one that, as a priest, I am really interested in.

What, who, and how do you celebrate the service of "Kirkin' the Tartan?"

I see that it is a part of Highland celebration weekends or Pipe band activities.

All help gratefully appreciated, as before with the piping in of the haggis.

[macwilkin]

Ok guys, here is one that, as a priest, I am really interested in.

What, who, and how do you celebrate the service of "Kirkin' the Tartan?"

I see that it is a part of Highland celebration weekends or Pipe band activities.

All help gratefully appreciated, as before with the piping in of the haggis.

Hello, Father John!

In a nutshell, the Kirkin' Service started during the Second World War. Most accounts say that the Rev. Peter Marshall, the pastor of the New York Ave. Presbyterian Church in Washington DC, was the originator of the service -- Rev. Marshall was a immigrant from Coatbridge, Scotland and used the Kirkin' Service as a way to raise funds for British war relief during the War. Some accounts say the first service was held in 1941 or 1943. Rev. Marshall later cooperated with the St. Andrew's Society of Washington and the Kirkin' service was moved to the National Cathederal. A movie was made about Rev. Marshall's life, titled "A Man Called Peter", starring Richard Todd. I have seen a picture of Rev. Marshall in a kilt, btw.

The Kirkin' is a Scottish-American innovation, and is relatively unknown in Scotland. There seems to be a legend in the Scottish-American community that the Kirkin' service originated after the Jacobite Rebellion and the Act of Proscription, when Highlanders would hide bits of their tartan and bring them to church to be blessed, however, there is no documentation for this story, at least that I can find. Besides, the original story is just as moving, for me anyway.

PM with your mailing address, and I will send you a service leaflet from our Kirkin' service that we hold at our Episcopal Church.

I'll try to write more later after work! :mrgreen:

Cheers,

Todd

[Bill]

I attended my first "Kirken of the Tartan" last year after our St. Andrews dinner and found it to be a moving experiance for me. I am aware of the American origins of the service but feel that it diminishes the meaning in no way. It is all about dedication and service of self and clan.

Slainte!

Bill

[Cawdorian]

The church I attend (Presbyterian) holds an annual Kirk'in service in November. As Bill notes this service is very inspirational. We all wear a piece of clothing in our tartan, most wear a scarf, tie or some other piece of tartan clothing. Those of us who have kilts and highland dress wear them. There are numerous male members of our church who wear their kilts to this service.

Six weeks or so before the service we provide an staffed information table in the Narthex and help our members determine the tartans associated with their surnames or heritage. We also provide a list of a few reputable vendors who can supply any items of tartan clothing they may want to order. (Matt if you can send me some brochures or a small catolg, I would be happy to place them on the table.) If the members's tartan cannot be located we encourage them to wear the Black Watch tartan.

Our service includes the parade of the Tartans and other traditional Scottish pagentry during the processional. After the service we have a dinner complete with haggis. This service ranks number three in attendance following Easter and Christmas. Many of the Highland Games have a Kirk'in service on Sunday morning as one of the game events. The service is held at the Stone Mountain Highland Games.

If you will google "St Andrew's Society of Washington DC", you will find the information on the Service at the National Cathedral on their website.

John, I will see if I can get a copy of the bulletin and leaflets from last year's service and mail it to you. I'll will ask tomorrow ans see if I can get a copy for you.

I am very happy to see the interest in this particular service, it helps keep the interest in our heritage alive and well.

Jim

[Archangel]

Hello, Father John!

In a nutshell, the Kirkin' Service started during the Second World War. Most accounts say that the Rev. Peter Marshall, the pastor of the New York Ave. Presbyterian Church in Washington DC, was the originator of the service -- Rev. Marshall was a immigrant from Coatbridge, Scotland and used the Kirkin' Service as a way to raise funds for British war relief during the War. Some accounts say the first service was held in 1941 or 1943. Rev. Marshall later cooperated with the St. Andrew's Society of Washington and the Kirkin' service was moved to the National Cathederal. A movie was made about Rev. Marshall's life, titled "A Man Called Peter", starring Richard Todd. I have seen a picture of Rev. Marshall in a kilt, btw.

The Kirkin' is a Scottish-American innovation, and is relatively unknown in Scotland. There seems to be a legend in the Scottish-American community that the Kirkin' service originated after the Jacobite Rebellion and the Act of Proscription, when Highlanders would hide bits of their tartan and bring them to church to be blessed, however, there is no documentation for this story, at least that I can find. Besides, the original story is just as moving, for me anyway.

PM with your mailing address, and I will send you a service leaflet from our Kirkin' service that we hold at our Episcopal Church.

I'll try to write more later after work! :mrgreen:

Cheers,

Todd

well, thanks, that explains why this is such a mystery to me. I've been asked about it but it's not part of any tradition I've ever heard about.

[gmcdavid]

There seems to be a legend in the Scottish-American community that the Kirkin' service originated after the Jacobite Rebellion and the Act of Proscription, when Highlanders would hide bits of their tartan and bring them to church to be blessed, however, there is no documentation for this story, at least that I can find.

I don't expect you will find any such documentation:
http://www.siliconglen.com/Scotland/12_7.html

Glenn

[macwilkin]

I don't expect you will find any such documentation:
http://www.siliconglen.com/Scotland/12_7.html

Glenn

Thanks, Glenn -- I've read Mr. MacRae's article before -- It's a difficult situation really, because the "legend" of the Kirkin' has been spread far and wide in the US (and apparently in Australia as well) -- the real story is just as inspiring, INMHO.

Cheers,

Todd