THE SAINT Andrew’s Society of Los Angeles will hold its annual Kirkin’ of the Tartans on Sunday 28th October, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. at Beverly Hills Presbyterian church, located at 505 North Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills.
The traditional service will include the ‘Ceremony of the Sword’ the time-honoured ‘Calling of The Tartans’ when all members with a clan affiliation or ancestry will be invited to have their name, clan, and clan motto announced. This is a time-honoured observation of the time when The Act of Proscription following the Battle of Culloden outlawed the wearing of tartan cloth. So the story goes highlanders would smuggle bits of tartan cloth into church for the pastor to bless; however the root of this tradition is a little murky.
The Society piper will lead the processional into church playing Highland Cathedral. Following the service and the rendition of ‘Amazing Grace’ on pipes with choir the recessional leaves the church to the strains of ‘Flower of Scotland’. Readers are encouraged to join the event for this unique and traditional service that salutes the culture and history of Scotland. No formal RSVP is required.
An informal lunch following the service will be arranged.
For more information about the Saint Andrews Society and to join their mailing list, email rees1@mac.com
