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The Kirkin' (Blessing) o' the Tartans, an explanation of this tradition. |
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Kirkin' (Blessing) o' the Tartans A traditional Scottish religious service has been part of the San Diego Scottish Highland Games and Gathering of the Clans for many years. The story of the Kirkin' o' the Tartan is a modern one. "Kirk" is a Scottish word meaning church and in Scotland the kirk refers to the Church of Scotland (Presbyterian).
The kirkin' takes some of its order from a traditional Scottish church service but it is an American invention and was first held on April 27, 1941 by the late Dr. Peter Marshall. Dr. Marshall was a Scottish-born Chaplain of the U.S. Senate and minister of the New York Avenue Presbyterian Church, Washington, D.C. Since 1954 the kirkin' has been held at the Washington National Cathedral.
Kirkin' o' the Tartan ceremonies have spread across the United States and Canada in direct proportion to the increased interest in clans and clan activities. The display of the tartans at a kirkin' represents the Scottish clans. The word clan means family and identity came to be attached to the Chief of the Clan.
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