Kirkin'
of the Tartans
The word for 'church' in Scotland is 'kirk.' The worship service known as a 'Kirkin' of the Tartans' means the "bringing
to church the tartan (each clan's 'plaid' is actually called 'tartan'). At one point in Scotland's history, from 1746 to 1782,
the wearing of tartan or any 'plaid or stripped clothes" was against the law, because of the recent Jacobite Rebellion of
1745, led by 'Bonnie Prince Charlie,' came close to success. Kilts and other clothing made of tartan had to be destroyed or
hidden. However, it was quite common for clan members to keep a small piece of their clan's tartan, and to bring it secretly to the
Kirk (church) so that it could be "blessed' and prayed over. That piece of tartan symbolized the family and the community, and having
it blessed and prayed over, was, in effect, praying for the family and the community in which it lived.
The modern version of the The Kirkin' of the Tartans dates back only a few decades and was established here in the United States by Rev. Peter Marshall in Washington, D.C. Now it is a moving service that involves people bringing all manner of family or clan tartans. We are now able to bring the tartans to church, not secretly, but with joy and openness...and, in fact, led by pipers.
The Kirkin' of the Tartans will take place on Sunday morning at 9:30 a.m. at the Dublin Stage (somewhat near the upper middle of the woods following the main path into the Festival). Participating Clans and anyone interested in taking part in the procession that begins the service, should meet near the front gate at 9:15 a.m. The procession will go east along the "Brigadoon Trail," cross "Blake's Bridge," then come to the main junction of the different trails, where the Dublin Stage is and where the service will take place.
We're again honored to have Pastor Karen Wehrman of Elbert Presbyterian Church to conduct the service.
About Pastor Karen
Elbert Presbyterian Church Weekly Schedule
