Are you going to a Kirkin' of the Tartans at your church or marching in a Scottish heritage parade?

The Kirkin’ o’ the Tartan service celebrates Scotland and Scottish heritage and is a truly Scottish-American custom. In a similar vein the annual National Tartan Day on April 6 was officially recognized by the US Senate in 1998 and by the House in 2005. Many cities throughout the US celebrate this day come rain or shine. New York City boasts of the largest parade of Scottish-American Clans.

The Rev. Peter Marshall was the Scottish pastor of the New York Avenue Presbyterian Church in Washington DC and served as Chaplain of the United States Senate in the 1940's.  He was very proud of his heritage and with the support of the St. Andrew’s Society of Washington DC, he conducted the first Kirkin’ service in 1941 at the National Cathedral in DC.  Donations were taken up for British war relief specially to support of d the families of the many Scottish servicemen.

Members of the congregation are encouraged to find the Scottish clan or family that they are descendants of.  A publication called Tartan for Me compiled by Dr Philip D. Smith Jr is an excellent source that links a surname to a tartan.

The banners are made from a springweight worsted wool and measure 36 x 54" with a pocket on the short edge so that it can be inserted in to a 1" diameter pole. The pole is not supplied but can be purchased at any hardware outlet.  The banner can be supplied with grommets on request.

The banners are listed in alphabetical order. Some surnames will have several tartans to choose from.  Mac is the same as Mc.  There are over 450 tartans to choose from. The terms ancient, modern, weathered refer to the color shading with ancient being lighter shades.  The tartans are grouped by surnames, making it is easier to see all the ones available under the same name.

If you are having difficulty finding a tartan please Contact Us with the subject line What's My Tartan?