Great Kilt for Tartan Day (a bit early)

**Shedlock2000** · 5th April 13, 12:32 PM

Hi guys,

So, in order to spread the good word, I wanted to wear my great kilt to university today for Tartan Day - albeit one day early.

I am not wearing it traditionally, as I have to actually go to school, and carry stuff around, but I thought this made quite the cross over. I added a kilt pin to the apron because it's a bit wind-tastic here in Lethbridge Alberta, and I have to walk to the U, so I chose some good stout boots.

That said, I was pretty pleased with the results! The kilt is made from a small sett Black Watch tartan in a 13 oz worsted wool with natural selvedge that I had given me. I am not sure what weight or quality would have been worn - I imagine there is lots of information out there!

What do you guys think?

**Dale Seago** · 5th April 13, 12:56 PM

I love it!!

**Jock Scot** · 5th April 13, 01:16 PM

Then I take it that "Tartan Day" is 6th of April? Its not something, that we "do" over here, I think. Is "Tartan Day" celebrated on the same date around the world? How long has this event been going on?

**Singlemalt** · 5th April 13, 01:33 PM

Jock, it started in Toronto in the '80's as sort of the Scottish answer to St. Patrick's Day which I am sure you know is a far bigger deal in the New World than in Ireland. Thankfully it has not descended yet to the level of tackiness that St. Paddy's has but I would still bet it is not to your taste. It has since spread around North America, and perhaps further.

The date was picked as it was on April 6th, 1747 that the Acts of Proscription which banned the kilt and certain other manifestations of Highland culture were repealed.

**Rob, ClanMacMillan, NM** · 5th April 13, 01:39 PM

Sorry - duplicate post. Rob.

**Rob, ClanMacMillan, NM** · 5th April 13, 01:43 PM

Originally Posted by Jock Scot

Then I take it that "Tartan Day" is 6th of April? Its not something, that we "do" over here, I think. Is "Tartan Day" celebrated on the same date around the world? How long has this event been going on?

In the U.S., National Tartan Day has been on 6-April every year since 1998. It has been an "official" day since 2008. Here's a quote from the brochure I hang outside my office each year:

April 6th of each year has been designated as National Tartan Day (Senate Resolution 1998-155 & House Resolution 2005-41).
In Presidential Proclamation 8233 signed on April 4, 2008, President George W. Bush stated:
Americans of Scottish descent have made enduring contributions to our Nation with their hard work, faith, and values. On National Tartan Day, we celebrate the spirit and character of Scottish Americans and recognize their many contributions to our culture and way of life.

6-April was chosen because the Declaration of Arbroath was signed 6-April-1320.

The full proclamation can be viewed at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tartan_Day.

Rob.

**Rob, ClanMacMillan, NM** · 5th April 13, 01:47 PM

According to Wikipedia (link in previous post), Scotland also has a "Tartan Day":

Scotland

Angus Council, whose region includes Arbroath, established the first Tartan Day festival in Scotland on April 6, 2004, and has since joined other regional councils in attempting to develop its potential as a global celebration.[26] In 2006 events were held in Arbroath, Aberdeen, Montrose, Kilmarnock, Stirling, Perth, Glasgow and Edinburgh.

Rob.

**Jock Scot** · 5th April 13, 01:50 PM

Thanks chaps. I have to confess my ignorance here, but which is it? Are you celebrating the Declaration of Arbroath, or, are you celebrating the repeal of the Acts of Proscription? Just wondering?

**Singlemalt** · 5th April 13, 01:59 PM

Sorry, it looks like I need to stand corrected by Rob and Wiki. April 6th was chosen because of the Declaration of Arboath not the repeal of the Acts of Proscription as I had believed for years. I can now see why that date was not picked. The Acts were repealed on July 1st, and that is already a holiday here for Canada Day which is the Anniversary of the day in 1867 when the British Parliament passed the British North America act granting self government (somewhat limited and not all) to the colonies which united to form Canada, Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, others joined later.

I can see this being a problem going forward in the world as every day we have more history to celebrate but we are stuck with a limited supply of only 365 days to use to commemorate.

My apologies for my sloppy history.

**Rob, ClanMacMillan, NM** · 5th April 13, 02:08 PM

Originally Posted by Jock Scot

Thanks chaps. I have to confess my ignorance here, but which is it? Are you celebrating the Declaration of Arbroath, or, are you celebrating the repeal of the Acts of Proscription? Just wondering?

The answer is actually both, depending on where you are. In Scotland, U.S., Canada, and possibly others, 6-April was chosen in celebration of the Declaration of Arbroath. In Australia and New Zealand (and possibly others), 1-July was chosen for the Repeal of the Acts of Proscription.

Actually, to phrase it slightly better, in the U.S. we are not celebrating the Declaration of Arbroath per se. Instead, we are celebrating the contribution and history of the Scots upon and within America.

Rob.

P.S. I specifically wear tartan on both 6-April and 1-July for both reasons. Of course, I also "kilt-up" on every opportunity I can -- but on those two days in particular I can give a history lesson to the unenlightened

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