Great Scot!

Who would have thought that there would actually be a shortage of kilts in Scotland!

Over 5000 troops in the Scottish military will have to share kilts while waiting for the defense chiefs to obtain the proper funding for new kilts. Because of the August 2006 merger of Scottish soldiers into the Royal Regiment of Scotland, they must comply with a new style of kilt.

It will take almost two years to procure the 320 kilts (a total of 15,000 yards of fabric!) and it is estimated that the new kilts will be ready for deployment as late as January 2008.

Man, they are gonna rack up a heck of a dry cleaning bill by then! Who wants to wear another's kilt after they have gone regimen all day in the hot sun!

The kilt is an important aspect of Scottish soldiers uniforms and have been worn into battle as late as World War I.

Clan Mackay History

Courtesy of ScotClans.com

History The name MacKay takes its origins from the gaelic "Macaoidh" or "son of Hugh". The identity of this Hugh is uncertain but the name probably derives from a member of the ancient Celtic royal house, whose branches disputed the throne in the twelfth and thirteenth centuries.
The MacKays also have strong links with the progeny of Queen Gruoch, who was married to MacBeth.

By the fourteenth century, the clan MacKay was well established in the most northerly and remote area of Scotland - their land extending from Cape Wrath along the north coast to Caithness. This land was known as Strathnaver.

The MacKay clan were both numerous and powerful and theirs is a history of continual strife with their neighbours. After five centuries of dispute, they finally lost their lands to the Sutherlands in the nineteenth century. The importance of the clan at this time is best illustrated by the marriage of Angus Dubh MacKay with the grand-daughter of Robert II, and important political alliance.

The warlike reputation of the clan is echoed in the family motto, "with a strong hand".
The military tradition of the family continued with 3000 MacKay clansmen fighting in the 30 Years War, and also providing a fighting force alongside William of Orange.

During the nineteenth century, the clan MacKay suffered greatly as a result of the Highland clearances, and by 1875 the direct line of the clan had died out, with the entire MacKay country being in the hands of the Lords of Sutherland.


MacKay

Gaelic Name: MacAoidh
Motto: Manu forti (With a strong hand)
Badge: Bulrush
Lands: Ross and Sutherland, Argyll
Origin of Name: Gaelic, MacAoidh (Son of fire)
Pipe Music: Bratach Bhan Chlann Aoidh (The White Banner of MacKay)

Scottish Blood

This is for all those who, like me, are of Celtic ancestory - specifically Scottish. My ancestory is a sept of the Clan MacKay

Years ago, I never knew what a "Celt" was. The only thing Celtic I ever heard of was the Boston "Seltics" (without the proper hard "C"). I soon discovered some intricate knotwork and for some reason was under the impression it was of another ethnicity.

I saw a documentary on the Scots, and on the show, the talked about the ancient Celts, their culture and art. There were the infamous knots I came to love and know as part of my heritage!
I became hungry to learn more about my ancestory and began hounding my parents for more information. As it turns out, I, out of my entire family, was the only one interested in pursuing knowledge of the Scottish ancestory, and how it began to figure into my life.

I spend many hours at the Seventh Day Adventist Church (Mormons) where a great deal of census records are kept in Los Angeles. The largest record storage is, of course, in Salt Lake City, Utah (scary!).

I found myself connected to the Scots and the Celts for no other reason then the culture itself, their long years of battle for freedom and their honor, truth, integrity and self-worth. The women were also treated as equals as it should be. It also explains more about who I am, what burns in my blood and why the sounds of bagpipes stirs my soul.

Celtic music became a favorite of mine, with it's history, culture and the incorporation of the Gaelic language in many popular tunes. The language is beautiful, and especially so when sung by a Celtic lass!

Now, with many years of Scottish Festivals, Renaissance Festivals, geneology, purchasing two kilts (and making two more) I have embraced my heritage in all it's glory! I was even in Scotland several years ago! It felt like home. It was home. At least for 5 days. I have been homesick ever since.

Have you ever researched your ancestory? Let's hear it for all the Celt bloggers out there!