Here's something else I should have mentioned:

Many supporters of Covenanter Richard Cameron joined the Cameronian Regiment, the only regiment of the British Army formed for "religious reasons"; They would go on church parade armed, and post sentries at the four corners of the Kirk, to commemorate the armed guards at the conventicles. And, the padre/minister could not begin the service until an officer shouted "all clear"!

I've been thinking of speaking to the minister of the Presbyterian Church that holds a Kirkin' here about doing it outside one year, with symbolic guards on the four corners...

So, we were on the same wavelength, MacWage!

T.


Quote Originally Posted by MacWage
It was more MY ambiguity!! I was just struck by the irony of the utilization of practices more associated with a specific group of strong convictions and largly lowlander make-up (especially in light of the highlander/lowlander historic animosity) to honor what was THEN (NOT NOW!!!) seen as a highlander symbol, so much so it was outlawed.

The service, the kirkin', is DEFINATELY American (mostly US) in early practice. My own home church has one and I am thinking/working to have one where I serve now. If anyone wants to participate from the Upstate, SC, PM me and we can discuss it.

The most significant part of the service, from a sociological/historical viewpoint is the fusion of different elements of the diverse Scottish culture into a unified "Scottish Culture," combining lowland, highland, and western isles together, as well as the various religious strands in many cases. :confused:

(Off topic-> the downside of this is the bluring tends to obscure the complex cultural factors at work in the decision making processes around events, so that they become confusing and illogical in the resultant simplified history. A few examples are in the events surrounding the ACTUAL King Macbeth ( and Malcolm and Duncan), the Wars of Liberation around 1300, the reformation and the Wars of the Covenant (late 1500s and 1600s), and the Jacobite Rebellions (1689-1745). In ALL of these, I have read very BAD histories that are rooted more in the modern fusion of the Scots, than in trying to understand them as they actually WERE!!! )

I was more noting where things are NOW, especially interesting in light of where they WERE a couple centuries ago. THANKS, Walter Scott!!!