How to find, choose or create a tartan, for the sake of Auld Lang Syne. Dress of the Day 334.
When I was a student in London, England, I used to like wearing a skirt in Black Watch tartan. After I married, I used to go every year to a Burns Night, January 25, is celebrated in Scotland and by my Scottish neighbour in London, England.
This year, when I told Singaporean and Malay members of a Singapore-based Toastmasters Club that January 25th was Burns Night, celebrating Robbie, Burns, they asked, 'Who's that?'
I replied, "The man who wrote the words of Auld Lang Syne, which is sung worldwide on New Year's Eve."
In Singapore, New Year's eve is long gone and they are now busy with Chinese New Year, or the lunar year. The Singaporean's have a word, Kiasu, which means trying to get ahead of other people as well as the fear of missing out.
Having missed out on the celebration of Burns Night, I made up for it next day by wearing the tartan shirt I had had waiting for a week, along with a tartan bag. I cut the Scottish flag off a row of bunting flags to represent Scotland.
You can create a tartan. You have to get approval and pay for it and operate through the governing body who have all the contacts and help and expertise you need. For example, a Scottish Jewish rabbi wanted a tartan for the Jews of Scotland. They even have a tallis (prayer shawl) in tartan.
Jewish Tartans
You can read the story of how a Scottish rabbi arranged for a Jewish tartan to be created. He chose blue to be the predominant colour.
You can buy Jewish tartans from shops in: Glasgow, Scotland; London, England; Canada; and the USA. The large items are expensive, and would be good for weddings and special occasions. However, for a small everyday gift for a Scottish Jewish friend, or collector of novelties, I thought that a Jewish tartan pen, mouse mat or mug are reasonably priced.
Robert Burns Museum
When it's open, taking into account the seasons, day of the week and Covid-19 regulations, you can visit the Robert Burns museum in Scotland.
Over in the USA you can order the Jewish tartan.
In the USA another tartan is used by the military, by an Air Force Scottish pipers' band.
A member of my toastmasters group in the UK sent me a picture on LinkedIn of their Scottish Burns Night meeting. I met him through Odyssey, a program from Toastmasters International which links up members with mentors in other countries.
Useful Websites
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Burns
https://www.unitedflags.co.uk/products/six-nations-scotland-flag-5-x-3-feet
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_tartans
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cornish_kilts_and_tartans#Family_tartans
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scottish_Register_of_Tartans
https://www.scottishtartansmuseum.org/
Author
BIOGRAPHY
Angela Lansbury B A Hons ACG ALB PM5 EH5 DL5 VC5
The Author of several books including Etiquette For Every Occasion. Wedding Speeches & Toasts. How to be the Best Man. Quick Quotations. Who Said What When.
Blogs travelwithangelalansbury.blogspot.com
dressofthedayangela.blogspot.com
Braddell Heights Advanced Toastmasters Speakers Club Vice President Public Relations (VPPR), Previous President
Join BHA 1st Wednesday 7pm and 3rd Saturday 2 pm Singapore time
Vice President Public Relations (VP PR) of Tampines Changkat Advanced;
Secretary of weekly online Singapore International Dynamic Toastmasters Speakers’ Club;
Member and past president of Harrovians toastmasters club, UK; Past member of HOD Toastmasters, London. Past member in Singapore of: Toastmasters Club of Singapore (TCS); Tiarel; and Senja Cashew.
More details from Toastmasters International find a club.
Regular attendee at annual Swanwick Writers’ School, England.
Regular attendee at annual Writers’ Holiday, Wales.
Contributor to poetry readings, and after tea courses on: Speaking On Radio To Promote Books; and Plots And Character.
Winner of many club and area speaking contests in the UK and Singapore.
Language advisor to Empire Toastmasters club in Indonesia.
Language and speech workshops in Singapore.
Speaker on radio and TV in England, Scotland, the USA, and Australia.
Compiler of a school course on public speaking for teachers to prepare pupils for school open days with attending ceremonies before government ministers, Singapore.
Former member of Harrow Writers’ Circle, London, and two writing groups in Singapore.
Angela is on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Twitter. She would be delighted to link up with new friends.
Books by Angela Lansbury
How to be the best man. (Ward Lock / Cassell.)
Wedding Speeches and Toasts.(Ward Lock / Cassell.)
Unforgettable British Weekends.
Poetry Workshop Workbook.
The Tailor and the Spy. (Lulu.)
Larry The Talking Labrador. (Lulu.)
Writing Poetry for fun.
Quick Quotations
Who Said What When
Comments
Post a Comment