Regardless of creed or ethnic background, all are invited to attend the annual Kirkin o’ the Tartans ceremony at First Presbyterian Church (Kirk) this Sunday morning. The Natchez Scottish Heritage Society, led by President Barbara Haigh, will participate. Piping on the green begins at 9:45 a.m., followed by a processional into the sanctuary which will be decorated with clan crest and tartans. A roll call of the clans will precede the 10 a.m. service which will be followed by a covered dish luncheon.

It’s hard for modern Americans to grasp the powerful bond that, for many centuries, existed between Scots and their “clan families.”

Even though a Scot might acknowledge allegiance to some one who claimed to be his kin, primary loyalty was owed to the chief of one’s own clan. Even when Scots, particularly Highland Scots, fought for the claim of “Bonnie Prince Charlie” to the Scottish throne in 1746, they generally served under the banner of their own clan, were led by their clan chieftains and wore the wool plaid “tartan” design associated with their own clan.

Tradition has it that the plaids would be worn to church to be blessed, and this was called “kirkin’ o’ the tartans.”

Following the disastrous Scottish defeat at Culloden, the victorious British decided that, if the Scots were to be governed by them, it was necessary to eradicate the very existence of the clan structure.

This was done by outlawing all clan symbols, the most important of which were the clan tartans designs.

Penalties for wearing or displaying a tartan identified with a specific clan included death or deportation.

Still, legend has it, that Scots would still smuggle small pieces of their clan’s tartan into church to be secretly blessed.

Whether legend, tradition or fact, the kirkin’ o’ the tartans was revived on American soil during the early 1940s by the late Dr. Peter Marshall, chaplain of the U.S. Senate, largely to help instill pride in their homeland among Americans of Scottish descent.

It became very popular and has spread to other American, Canadian and even Australian churches, mostly Presbyterian, but also to other protestant denominations and even a few Catholic congregations.

It is a way for Scottish-Americans to make contact with their roots, while celebrating our emigrant forebears who helped invent a country where displaying one’s ancestral colors is not only legal but encouraged.

Please come and share this special time with us.

William D. McGehee is a Natchez resident.