Kirkin’ o’ the Tartan Service

Would you like to share a Kirkin’ o’ the Tartan service with your family? Then join us at St Andrew’s for the 9.30am service on Sunday 24 November 2024. See the clans processional into the church with their clan banners and flags. Hear the pipers play their resonant music. Bring your own family’s tartan with you and participate in the service.

Malcolm Buchanan, President of the Scottish Australian Heritage Council and fellow Council members often participate in the service – they encourage anyone who is interested to come and hear the Kirkin’ history re-told and the Kirkin’ Prayer.

The congregation at St Andrew’s enjoys sharing worship each year as we reflect on the long history of identity, faith and tradition that all immigrants to Australia have contributed to our nation.

‘Kirk’ is the Scottish word for ‘church.’ Tartans, with their distinctive plaid, represent specific Scottish clans, regions, or regiments. The ‘Kirkin’ O’ The Tartans’ is the presentation of a Scottish family’s symbol, its tartan, at church for blessing.

After Bonnie Prince Charlie’s Scottish forces were defeated by the English in 1746 in the Battle of Culloden, the wearing of tartans and the playing of bagpipes were forbidden in Scotland for many years. The wearing or displaying of tartans was punishable by death. During those years, some Scots wore concealed pieces of their tartan when they attended church. At a particular point in the worship service, they would secretly touch their hidden tartan cloth, and the minister would offer a blessing.

So as we meet together in more open times here, whilst we may be far from Scotland or even from other places that face persection in the 21st century, in our service we can praise God for the diversity of cultures in Australia, pray for those who need His strength and courage, and reflect on the traditions that we continue today.