tartan day: historical significance

History....
...as it relates to Tartan Day

Here's an excerpt from the Clan Cleland Society Newsletter (#23) with some interesting background on the significance of April 6 and July 1 in Scottish history. Our thanks to John Hucknull, founder of the Clan Cleland Society (Australia), for sending it along.

HISTORY.

What is it, how do we interpret it and does it matter?

There are many forms of history, ancient, modern, medieval, romantic, written by the victor, written by the vanquished, written by one religious order, written by a second or third religious order, translated from one language to another. Evolving, oral, and forgotten.

Anything that happened yesterday or last week or anytime in the past is history and today and next week we will have made history by the time next month comes around therefore it is important that when we assess history we endeavour to collect all the facts and not try to rewrite history with a flavour other than the TRUTH.

Then I suppose it comes down to a matter of the individuals interpretation of the truth. One of the most common problem areas in Scottish History is what has become to be known as the shortbread biscuit tin version of Scottish History. Authors such as Sir Walter Scott, and other romantic novelists have tended to create a version of history which is most PLEASING to the reader. Nigel Tranter endeavours to paint a picture in the minds eye of what was taking place at the time and again this is coloured by his view and interpretation of history much of which at that time was not written and if it was it was written in either ancient Latin or old Scots.

A considerable amount of Scotland's written history was taken away from official archives during the various visits made by conquering armies from the South. However, declarations, laws, treaties etc., have survived and it is without doubt that all of these FACTS of history be acknowledged and celebrated in whatever way one thinks is appropriate.

I wear my kilt on every occasion possible and that may be because of my Scottish heritage in that having spent so much in its purchase I cannot see any reason why it should hang in the wardrobe unworn. This brings me to the celebration of Tartan Day.

There are two dates currently used to celebrate Tartan Day - 6th April in North America and July 1st in Australia, New Zealand and other countries.

The significance of the 6th April 1320 relates to the Declaration of Arbroath when 6 years after Bannockburn 100 men gathered at Arbroath to write a Declaration of their loyalty to Scotland and forward this to the Pope in Italy to have him support their case for Independence. Some 8 years later 1328 the Treaty of Northampton was signed by Edward III of England acknowledging that Scotland was an Independent Nation and that Bruce was the Independent King of Scotland. Bruce died a year later.

The significance of the 1st July is the fact that on the 1st July 1782 an Act was passed called the Repeal Proclamation. This Act repealed the Act of Proscription 1747 which made it an offence to wear tartan amongst other things. Many believe the significance of this anniversary acknowledges this Act as having far greater relevance to Tartan and therefore the International promotion of a Tartan Day of recognition and celebration.

By celebrating Tartan Day on the 1st July we can also acknowledge the restoration of the Scottish Parliament which took place on the 1st July 1999.

Australia has just gone through a process of a referendum to ascertain if we were to become a Republic. Had this Referendum been successful would we now call the day of the Referendum Australia Day, the day we became an Independent Nation Australia Day, the day we became a Federation in 1901 or the day we currently call Australia Day. January 26th when the First Fleet landed (Not a day the Aboriginal people of Australia are inclined to celebrate)???

When deciding on a day for Celebration the most appropriate day should be chosen for the most relevant reason.

The same principle applies when looking at Coats of Arms, designs of tartan, Clan history etc. We must be careful not to tinker with the traditional significance of the past for the sake of modern life styles or personal preference. Never mind possible breaches of the Law.

Regards

John Clelland Hocknull
Founder Clan Cleland Society & President Australian-Scottish Community (Qld) Inc
PO Box 1
Beaudesert
Queenland 4285 Australia
Phone Int + 61 (0)7 5544 6400
Fax Int + 61 (0)7 5544 6544
Email: clan_cleland@hotmail.com

links
Text of the Proscription Act and Its Repeal

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