Kirkin' of the Tartan will celebrate Scottish heritage

BISBEE — On Sunday, Oct. 29, Covenant Presbyterian Church will hold a special "Kirkin of the Tartan" worship service to celebrate the Scottish heritage of the Presbyterian Church. The plaintive sound of the bagpipes, played by Pete Criscuolo, will herald the Kirkin of the Tartan worship service at 12:30 p.m. He will be playing outside in front of the main entrance to the church and then lead a procession into the church for the 1 p.m. Kirkin’ Worship Service. Wear whatever attire you are comfortable worshipping in, all the better if you wear a kilt and sash. The church is located at 19 Howell Ave. in historic Old Bisbee, right next to the historic Copper Queen Hotel. Following the service, there will be a special Kirkin' fellowship in the Annex, directly across the street from the church, where Scottish refreshments will be served. The public is welcome.

Now that I no longer live in New England, one of the things I miss most, is the plenteous Scottish activities -- including, as yarddog mentioned, the magnificent Highland Games and Gathering o' the Clans at Loon Mountain Ski Resort, Lincoln, NH, each fall. (held Friday, September 15, 2017 To Sunday, September 17, 2017, this year...)

'Twas "at Loon" that I first made contact with my own clan, Clan Macpherson -- and where my son and I ordered our first kilts.

Anther thing I miss dearly is the (mostly) annual Kirkin' O' the Tartans, which is sponsored by my wife's clan, Clan Donald, and, is held in Boston's Old North Church (of "One if by sea" lantern fame...)

On the appointed Sunday, we clansmen would gather -- in our finest Highland Attire, of course -- somewhere down by the waterfront. Then -- led by Pipers & Drummers -- we would wend our way through back alleys and byways over to the Old Kirk.

I was always astonished at how, attracted by the skirl of the pipes, large, spontaneous, exuberant crowds of Boston residents would gather along our route and, with hearty applause, cheer us on our way!

At least one member of each clan present would bear a tartan scarf in his Clan's historic tartan, and, at the appointed time, would present it to the presiding Minister at the Pulpit. (Nowadays, at some of the larger Kirkin's a rack is placed beside the altar, and the tartans are displayed thereupon -- or the proud tartan banners of the clans represented are arrayed across the front of the kirk...)

In our Old North Church services, the Minister would drape the scarves across his arms, hold them up for all to view, and pray a prayer (paraphrased) something like this:

"O, Laird, we ask Thee to behold these divers cloths and to please accept them -- and these Folk who honor and wear them -- into Your Royal service. We pray that these Folk who wear these cloths be fathful in honor, obedience and fealty to Thee -- and that Ye bless them, and bless us all -- and bless us kindly..." Amen.

~~~~~~~~~~

Of course, following the service, the congregation always broke up into groups -- some by clan, and some "mixed" -- to go out for a bit of luncheon -- including [or not] a wee taste of "uisgea beatha" ("Water of life")

All in all, most memorable and stirring experiences!

Thanks for the ping!! It was beautiful to read, except far too short. I was so engrossed in every detail, I would have read several more pp.

I lived in the Boston area upwards of 20 yrs, and never heard of the Kirkin’ of the Tartan. I had to move to a southeastern town to not only learn about it, but to experience it firsthand. Had I known about your procession, I’d have taken the T at Oak Grove, ridden down to North Station, and watched the grand finale.

Thank you!

My wife is gathering and scanning photos -- and, I'm writing up anecdotes like the foregoing one... in preparation for the celebration of my "completion of my 80th orbit around our local star" next month. I'll see if there are more "Scottish life" tales fit for posting here...

~~~~~~~~~

I wish you had known about our "Kirkin' Day" too. We would have welcomed you to don your kilt and join us -- in mid-procession! Or, even without Scottish attire, we would have welcomed you equally warmly...

We always had "lone Clansmen" and welcomed them -- and the additional color of their Tartan -- into our joyous fellowship. (Perhaps you've noticed: U.S. Scots are some of the most congenial and hospitable folk you'll find anywhere!)

Perhaps you've also noticed: No one frowns at a man in a kilt! '-)

When I'm out and about in full regalia, (including my "Seven yards o' Red Macpherson wrapped aboot ma fanny", plus my Cromach, Sgian dubh, and Sporran [with my L.W. Seecamp tucked awa' inside]) my wife of 56 years is "oft bemused" at the number of times lovely young lassies stop us and ask to have their photo taken with me... '-) I tell her, "It must be the white hair and goatee; it's surely not the knees..." '-)

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.