Kirkings

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"Kirkin' o' the Tartan" services (or "Kirkings") are said to have roots in ancient rituals
of blessing of scraps of outlawed family tartan. Perhaps there is some truth in that,
but, the reality is that it began with a service in Washington, D.C., prior to World War II. The Scots and their descendants in America wanted to demonstrate solidarity with
the British cause in Europe and devised the Kirking service. It quickly became an
annual event with Scots everywhere. The service is rich with pageantry. It relates the
history of the Scot under British rule and the proscription of the tartan, pipes and
gaelic language and the eventual lifting of that law. The presentation and blessing
of the family tartans, especially when many clans and families are represented, is
a very moving experience.