Talking about Kilts & Scottish Heritage to an Elementary School

**pbutts** · 28th May 13, 07:39 PM

I brought my pipes to school for St. Patrick's Day and had lots of questions about accessories-- the sporran, etc. and then someone asked "what do you do with that little sword?" Immediately reaching down where my sgian dubh WOULD HAVE been, I realized they were asking about my kilt pin.

My fifth graders always get into learning about all the different Olympics events, I'm sure they'd be interested in hearing about the different heavy events.

**MacMillans son** · 28th May 13, 08:00 PM

Originally Posted by pbutts

My fifth graders always get into learning about all the different Olympics events, I'm sure they'd be interested in hearing about the different heavy events.

Or, staying with Scottish Olympic events, Curling.

**Dale-of-Cedars** · 28th May 13, 08:31 PM

I'd avoid letting any group of kids try to throw heavy things over their heads or while spinning around, unless closely supervised.
Maybe I have too vivid an imagination.
Lawn-darts anyone?

**Grizzled Ian** · 29th May 13, 12:15 AM

Looks like you've got enough to go on, so you don't have to go with the reasons for the colours in your tartan. Sure, they might be regarded these days as having some cultural significance, but my understanding is that the reason for colour X being in a tartan has more to do with availability of dyes and with desire to ensure differentiation from what's been made just up the glen. Until the '45. Then, after the lifting of the proscription, commercial interests and Victorian hysteria had a greater role in tartan design, and it wasn't until C20 that an approach exemplified by "blue stands for the sky, brown the earth, green what grows in it" became more important. In general.
Our esteemed historians will jump on my neck for such a gross over-simplification.
In any case, if you have only 5 minutes, 2 1/2 of which will be distributing shortbread, and you want to throw something, you don't have time for anything else.
So all power to you, and leave a good impression (figuratively speaking)!

**Jock Scot** · 29th May 13, 01:16 AM

Crumbs!

You are, by far, more brave than I!

**Liam** · 29th May 13, 10:41 AM

Good on yuh! You could bring 3-4 yds of material (it wouldn't have to be tartan) and fashion a "Breacan an Fhéilidh" on one of the students - perhaps your own daughter to show where the modern kilt came from.

**unixken** · 28th May 13, 11:08 PM

Originally Posted by pbutts

I brought my pipes to school for St. Patrick's Day and had lots of questions about accessories-- the sporran, etc. and then someone asked "what do you do with that little sword?" Immediately reaching down where my sgian dubh WOULD HAVE been, I realized they were asking about my kilt pin.

My fifth graders always get into learning about all the different Olympics events, I'm sure they'd be interested in hearing about the different heavy events.

You might want to clear your Sgian Dubh with the principal's office (perhaps even obtain a written letter from the school board) "authorizing" you to have it on school grounds, as protection against "zero tolerance policies" regarding weapons. Either that, or wear a Sgian Bru, or nothing at all.

**Silk** · 29th July 13, 06:57 AM

Originally Posted by pbutts

I brought my pipes to school for St. Patrick's Day and had lots of questions about accessories-- the sporran, etc. and then someone asked "what do you do with that little sword?" Immediately reaching down where my sgian dubh WOULD HAVE been, I realized they were asking about my kilt pin.

My fifth graders always get into learning about all the different Olympics events, I'm sure they'd be interested in hearing about the different heavy events.

Hi, I'm just curious, why on St. Patrick's Day? I know of St. Patrick's connection to Ireland, does he have one to Scotland too?

Silk

**eclarkhb** · 29th July 13, 07:16 AM

I should have updated this thread after the event - thanks again for the suggestions. Here's a link to the thread with pictures from my demonstration:

Highland Games Demonstration at an Elementary School

**Jock Scot** · 29th July 13, 07:17 AM

Silk.

Good question!

Some of the chaps across the pond seem to have "merged" the kilt, Scotland and St. Patrick's Day a tad. Its something that I fail to understand completely, but it is best to consider it as just one of those diaspora things that happen from time to time. Another example is this "kirkin the tartan" thing, that mystifies many of on this side of the pond. In some ways I am comforted by your question.