Kirkin' O' the Tartan

THE HISTORY…

The ceremony of Kirkin’ O’ the Tartan is of American origin, though based on Scottish history and legend. After Bonnie Prince Charlie’s Scottish forces were defeated by the English at the Battle of Culloden in 1746, Scotland once again came under British rule. To control the Scots, an Act of Proscription was passed with the intention to subdue the vanquished Highlanders – along with the Dress Act of 1746 – banning the wearing by men and boys of “highland dress,” namely:

… “the Plaid (belted large piece of fabric), Philabeg, or little Kilt, Trowse, Shoulder-belts, or any part whatever of what peculiarly belongs to the Highland Garb; and that no tartan or party-coloured plaid of stuff shall be used for Great Coats or upper coats.”

As the Legend Goes…

This Act prompted the stubborn Scots to carry with them secretly a piece of their tartan as they went to the Kirk. It was said that the Scottish Highlanders would touch the hidden piece of tartan piece of cloth under their clothes when minister slipped a blessing (a Kirkin’) into the service for the tartans, thus rededicating themselves to God and their Scottish heritage. The prohibition against tartans lasted for 36 years. When at last repealed, the Church of Scotland celebrated with a Service of Family Covenant, at which time the tartan of each family was offered as a covenant expression for the Lord’s blessing.

The First Kirkin’…

The Kirkin’ O’ the Tartan service was created or “revived” during World War II by Rev. Dr. Peter Marshall, pastor of the New York Avenue Presbyterian Church in Washington, D.C. Marshall was originally from southwest Scotland and in 1943 became the first Chaplain of the U.S. Senate.

In the spring of 1941, to encourage Scottish Americans to sign up to fight on behalf of Great Britain and as a fundraiser for British war relief, Marshall – along with the Saint Andrew’s Society of Washington, D.C. – recreated the Kirkin’ O’ the Tartans ceremony to instill pride among Scottish Americans and their Scottish homeland. The ceremony was at that time held in Presbyterian churches of Scottish heritage across the U.S.