Men in Skirts, a Tartan Day Celebration

Paul Thompson and Don Campbell, in their tartan (plaid) skirts, celebrate their Scottish heritage. The unique tartan patterns often identify a Scottish clan or regiment.

The Pittsburgh Tartan Day celebration was held on April 6^th, 2013 at the Bethel Presbyterian Church. This is the event’s 15^th year.This event celebrates Scottish Americans as well as the Scottish Declaration of Independence (Arbroath) in the year 1320 from English rule. The American Declaration of Independence was modeled after the Scottish Declaration of Arbroath. This Tartan Day was sponsored by the St. Andrews Society of Pittsburgh whose mission is “to preserve and promote Scottish Heritage and traditions through educational, philanthropic and social endeavors.” Events included Celtic music, Scottish foods, Scottish ware vendors, educational cultural workshops, and a silent auction to raise money for the Scottish arts. There was no charge for this event, but donations to the St. Andrews Society were encouraged. The donations and proceeds from the auction contribute to anyone who wishes to pursue studies in the Scottish arts. This event was of interest to me because of my Scottish heritage. 

The Pittsburgh Tartan Day Celebration was held at the Bethel Presbyterian Church on April 6, 2013 from 10:00 to 5:00 pm

The Callan Celtic music group, a band from Pittsburgh combines traditional Celtic music with modern jazz influences for a lively, upbeat sound. The word callan means ruckus in Gaelic. 

The cultural educational workshop topics included ones on Scotch whisky, geneaology, weaving, playing bagpipes, speaking Gaelic, Scottish surnames, jewelry making and Celtic symbols. This video includes snippets from some of the workshops and a swordsman in the exhibit area. The swordsman, Jim Roberts is a member of the Cateran society, which teaches how to use the Highland Broadsword, a Scottish fencing sword from the 1700s.

Kathy Wells demonstrates the traditional Scottish spinning of wool