Wearing of the Tartan

At the Portland Highland Games you will see the competitors - pipers, drummers, dancers, athletes - wearing kilts and tartans. In addition, you will also see many other people proudly wearing their family tartan. Many have been doing this down through the years.

There was a time, however, when our forefathers were not allowed to wear their tartan. They had been defeated in the Jacobite Rebellion and by subsequent Act of Proscription of August 1, 1747 were forbidden to show signs of being Highlanders.

The wearing of the tartan, playing of the bagpipes, speaking of Gaelic and bearing arms of any kind was strictly proscribed and severely punished. Our forefathers struggled under this law for thirty-six years until the Act of Proscription was lifted and they could again wear Highland garb and their tartan with pride.

There is a delightful story that has been passed down through the centuries: It is said that our forefathers hid pieces of the forbidden tartan under their clothing when they went to church. At a secret signal the cherished pieces of tartan were fingered and a prayer was recited.

In April 1941, Dr. Peter Marshall, Chaplain of the US Senate, remembered this story brought from his own Highland home and he included it in his sermon. The idea took fire and a great “Kirkin of the Tartan” began that day. Today, “kirkins” or blessings of the tartans take place throughout Canada and the United States.

At the Portland Highland Games, you will see many wearing their tartans and in our Welcoming Ceremonies our tartan clad Northwest Scots Guard proudly followed by the finest bagpipe band leading the Clansmen, each wearing their beautiful tartans.