CLAN chiefs are sending out a rallying call to kilted clansmen all over the world to join them at the Tattoo next year.
The theme of The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, which takes place in August every year at Edinburgh Castle, will be a ‘Splash of Tartan’ and performances will have a strong clan content.
Tattoo organisers have invited the Chiefs to lead their retinue onto the castle esplanade at the start of the performance, where they will take the ceremonial dram of whisky with the Pipe Major.
Tickets have been put aside for the clans to buy for each performance to make sure that as many tartan-clad clansmen, women and children attend as possible.
Clan Chief Jamie Macnab of Macnab is heading up the involvement of more than 50 of Scotland’s clans and families. Already, more Chiefs have promised to come to the Tattoo than mustered for Bonnie Prince Charlie when he marched on Edinburgh in 1754, when he was victorious at the Battle of Prestonpans.
‘The Macnab’, as he is known, expects even more Chiefs to join once news spreads further afield.
“This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for clansmen not just to watch the Tattoo, but to be part of it. It has already generated considerable interest from clan and family societies both in Scotland and abroad,” said Jamie, who is the 24 Chief of Clan Macnab.
“We hope it will also attract those who aren’t members of a clan or family association to put on their kilts and to join in on their own clan’s night.”
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If you’re unsure of your clan, you can look up your surname – or that of a parent, grandparent or relative – on www.clanchiefs.org.uk to find out your clan and its tartan.
“Everyone is welcome – men, women, children – as long as they are wearing a ‘splash of tartan’, be that kilts, trews or skirts,” said Jamie. “But we would like people to turn up substantially dressed in tartan – not just a scarf slung over a Hawaiian shirt!”
He hopes that this gathering of the clans will draw people from every corner of the world where Scots have settled.
“The Tattoo’s audience is made up mostly of people from abroad and many have a Scottish connection. The Tattoo has better international recognition than Wimbledon and the TV broadcast attracts a global audience of more than 100 million,” added Jamie.
“We would also like to engage with home-based Scots and encourage them to turn out on their clan night.”
There will be 25 performances of the Tattoo, with two or three clans participating on each night. There are around 150 clans and families – the term preferred by some people in the Lowlands – in Scotland and so far around 55 have agreed to take part.
“This is a wonderful opportunity to showcase the clans and access the Tattoo’s colossal audience,” said Jamie.
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The wearing of tartan was forbidden after the failure of the 1745 Jacobite rising for the next 36 years when the Highland Regiments in the British Army only wore kilts.
In 1822, George IV was the first British Monarch to visit Scotland for 171 years. Sir Walter Scott introduced a Highland element to his visit, and members of the clans wearing Highland dress filled the Edinburgh streets. The Royal Visit gave the naming of clan and family tartans a boost as Scott urged the Scots to wear their true tartan to meet the King.
Clans, tartan and kilts are now recognised world wide as being Scottish. The kilt is Scotland’s national dress and is worn proudly by all Scots be they Highlanders, Lowlanders or Borderers.
Anyone who has a kilt and is interested in participating should email info@clanchiefs.org.uk or go to the website www.clanchiefs.org.uk to find out how to contact their own clan.