Articles by Anna Murray on ArticleSnatch.com

Irish and Scottish Links

Thu, 25 Mar 2010 09:28:06 -0400

There are many links between Ireland and Scotland and the two countries have developed a close relationship. In this article I'm going to explore the historical and cultural links that lie at it's heart. From earliest times the two countries, formed a single cultural, religious, linguistic and economic zone. The early Scots who came to Scotland from Ireland in the 5th and 6th centuries established the foundations for Irish - Scottish migrations, which continue to this day. Two of the largest migrations were: under the influence of the english who were keen to shore up their foothold in Ireland, over 200,000 scots emigrated to Ireland. Poverty and famine in Ireland during the 19th century led to a maass movement of the Irish to Scotland. Irish labour helped Scottish industrialisation to take root rapidly. In major cultural achievements, too, each country affected the other profoundly. The Scottish Enlightenment, began in Ireland in the work of the philosopher Francis Hutcheson, who later moved to Glasgow and greatly influenced the work of David Hume and Adam Smith. One of the key links between the two counties in the large Diaspora of each. **End Summary** Topics: tartan]]> kilt]]> kilts]]> Scottish Kilts]]> Irish Kilts]]> St Patricks Day]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Anna Murray is Head of Marketing at The Scotland Kilt Company - a family run business based in Edinburgh. For more information about Scottish and Irish Kilts including measuring yourself for a kilt and choosing your tartan visit http://www.thescotlandkiltcompany.co.uk/ email info@thescotlandkiltcompany.co.uk Or call 0131 225 3555

Scotland's Rich Musical Legacy

Tue, 23 Mar 2010 12:41:50 -0400

Some of the greatest musical stars in the world have been influenced by Scotland, taking a closer look at who produces some interesting connections. Here I focus on a select few: Johnny Cash, Glen Campbell, Elvis Presley and Eddi Reader. In the 1970's during a flight to the US Johnny Cash found himself in conversation with a Major Michael Crichton Stewart, hereditary Keeper of Falkirk Palace in Fife, they discussed how the family name Cash originated in Scotland. This chance encounter sparked Cash's interest and on his return he consulted a genealogist. It turned out that Cash was indeed of Scottish descent and that his family could be traced back to a clan based in fife around the 12th century to King Malcolm IV of Scotland. Streets in Strathmiglo and Falkland still carry the name Cash, as do Easter Cash, Wester Cash and Cash Farms. Family ties as well as the link between Cash's style of country music and celtic music inspired him to visit Scotland on several occasions. **End Summary** Topics: Scottish roots]]> heritage]]> Cash]]> Elvis Presley]]> Glen Campbell]]> Eddi Reader]]> Burns]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Anna Murray works for The Scotland Kilt Company, combining her passion for Scottish Traditions and fashion http://www.thescotlandkiltcompany.co.uk/ email info@thescotlandkiltcompany.co.uk Or call 0131 225 3555

Celebrate Rabbie Burns

Thu, 21 Jan 2010 07:47:25 -0500

Robert Burns was born in Alloway, south west Scotland on January 25th 1759, he is Scotland's most famous poet and celebrated worldwide. Known as Rabbie Burns, or The Bard as well as The Ploughman's Poet, due to his parentage; Burns was born to a family of poor tenant farmers. Despite their poverty Burns' father was a firm believer in Education and arranged for him to be tutored privately giving him a good education in French, Latin and Literature. When his father passed away in 1784, Burns and his brother took over the farm. Farming wasn't something that came naturally to Burns and he moved away from it towards writing, publishing his first poem in 1786. Burns emergence onto Edinburgh's literary sceen, brought him fame but not fortune. To supplement his meagre income he also worked as an excise man, collecting taxes. Burns was a prolific writer, producing poetic masterpieces such as The Le Rig, Tam O' Shanter, My love is like a Red Red Rose and Auld Lang Syne, as well as over 400 songs. Romance was one of the central themes in Burns work and he had many romantic liaisons. **End Summary** Topics: Robert Burns]]> Haggis]]> tartan]]> kilts]]> sashes]]> scarves]]> Highland Dress]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Anna Murray is leading Burns celebrations at The Scotland Kilt Company - a family run business based in Edinburgh. For more information about kilts, sashes and scarves for every occasion ladieswear including measuring yourself for a kilt and choosing your tartan visit http://www.thescotlandkiltcompany.co.uk/ email info@thescotlandkiltcompany.co.uk Or call 0131 225 3555

Can I wear a Clan Crest?

Sun, 20 Dec 2009 00:16:54 -0500

To show allegience to a clan a clan crest badge can be worn to ahow membership or allegiance to a particular clan, either as a brooch or on a cap. The popularity of crest badges, owe much to Victorian era romanticism. They developed from the use of specific plants worn in bonnets. Today, they are very popular at clan gatherings, and generally when wearing highlandwear Crest badges are made out of silver or white metal such as pewter. In fact 'clan crests' belong to the clan chief rather than to all members of the clan. Secondly, in Scotland Coats of Arms and crests belong to individuals rather than families. Clan crest badges - are referred to as 'heraldic property' which is the assigning, and marshalling of a coat of arms. The Lord Lyon is the sole King of Arms in Scotland. He is Head of the Heraldic Executive and the Judge of the Court of the Lord Lyon which has jurisdiction of all heraldic matters in Scotland. The office of Lyon King of Arms dates from the 14th century. **End Summary** Topics: clan creast]]> Scottish clan]]> Highlandwear]]> clan badges]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Anna Murray has be with Edinburgh's Scotland Kilt Company for over a year, contact this family run company for all your highlandwear needs http://www.thescotlandkiltcompany.co.uk/

Lady Diana Tartan - In Memory

Sun, 06 Dec 2009 02:40:40 -0500

The Diana Memorial Tartan was developed in response to the public outpouring of emotion at the time of Princess Diana's death. In the week after her death the government established a Memorial Committee, chaired by, the then chancellor, Gordon Brown. A committee was established to ensure that public generosity was used in the best way to benefit causes. The thinking behind the fund was to tap into 'new money' rather than taking resources from existing charities. A range of items were produced in Diana's memory with all profits going to the memorial fund. So far £The licencing of Diana products has raised over 35m to date. The Daiana tartan was used to make kilts as well as tartan accessories including scarves, tammy sets, ties. The Princess Diana tartan was designed by Lochcarron of Scotland who received official approval to produce the tartan. The design uses the Royal Stewart tartan as a base with colours chosen to symbolise elements of Diana's life. The charity, which is supported by Diana's sons, chose to focus it's attention on causes that tend to receive less popularity, for example in the work it has done with prisioners families. **End Summary** Topics: tartan]]> princess Diana]]> Diana Fund]]> ladies kilts]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Anna Murray works for The Scotland Kilt Company - a family run business based in Edinburgh. For more information about ladieswear including measuring yourself for a kilt and choosing from over 1000 tartans visit http://www.thescotlandkiltcompany.co.uk/ email info@thescotlandkiltcompany.co.uk Or call 0131 225 3555

The Perfect Drinking Vessel - The Quaich

Thu, 26 Nov 2009 20:50:14 -0500

Quaichs first became popular in the early 17th century as a cup for drinking whisky and brandy from It is thought that the first quaichs developed from scallop shells which were used ascups for drinking whiskey by people in the Highlands.. Similar to scallop shells quaichs were wide and shallow in design. handles were added to make them easier to hold. The shape of the quaich has been fixed for more than four hundred years. Initially quaichs were made from a single piece of wood, from the late 17th century as craftsmen became more proficient they used light and dark wood and strands of copper to create intricate patterns from this time the skills needed to make quaichs were highly regarded. Other materials such as a range of materials were employed to make quaichs from stone and brass to horn and silver. The centre of the quaich was sometimes decorated with a silver coin or disc featuring a coat of arms or family motto - as well as adding a decorative aspect it serverd to hide any joins. The lugs (handles) were frequently covered with silver or pewter where the owners initials could be displayed. **End Summary** Topics: Whiskey]]> Highlands]]> pewter]]> Bonnie Prince Charlie]]> Quaich]]> Clan]]> New Year]]> Presents]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> For any questions about highland dress or scottish gifts we are happy to help. Contact info@thescotlandkiltcompany.co.uk http://www.thescotlandkiltcompany.co.uk/ 0131 225 3555

A Marketers Dream - och aye!

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 09:53:15 -0500

Just as tartans have come to be associated with famous Scots, tartan has also been used frequently in advertising. In this article I'll look at products that have made use of the plaid and why tartan is a powerful tool for marketers. For some are products, tartan is integral to the brand and for others it is but a passing fancy. One of the best products featuring a guy in a kilt (in the Scott's tartan no less) is Scott's Porage Oats, Walkers shortbread also uses tartan as a key branding tool. Both brands associate themselves with positive feelings about Scotland and it's traditions. The Scott's Oats man wears a kilt while tosssing a Caber - This is the sort of guy who needs a substantial breakfast - no these oats are for guys that don't mess about, but who need good nutritional fare. tartan is prized for it's links to heritage and simplier times gone by - so it is a good fit with this product. **End Summary** Topics: tartan]]> kilt]]> brand]]> Scott's]]> Scotland]]> Scottishness]]> Scottish]]> advertising]]> Highland Dress]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Anna Murray is Head of Marketing at The Scotland Kilt Company - a family run business based in Edinburgh. For more information about tartan including measuring yourself for a kilt and choosing your tartan visit http://www.thescotlandkiltcompany.co.uk/ email info@thescotlandkiltcompany.co.uk Or call 0131 225 3555

Let's hear it for the Ladies

Sat, 31 Oct 2009 06:17:23 -0400

While there is an abundance of information for men looking to show off their celtic roots there isn't much about highland dress for women. Read on to find out more to about the past traditions and the current options available for lassies looking to show a bit of celtic flair. In times gone by there was a wide variety of dress styles worn by women; depending on their class, whether they were living in a city or in the country - the complexities of which are beyond this article! Here I will just provide an overview. A popular form of traditional dress for women was called Arisaid, a garment that was worn as an everyday item by Scottish women until the mid 1700s. An Arisaid was similar to the Great Kilt worn by men; consisting of cloth gathered and belted around the waist. The top half was either draped over the right shoulder and pinned with a brooch or worn over the head like a scarf. The Arisaid cloth was either tartan, check or plain. The brighter colours were reserved for men, women wore checked material - which was predominately white with thin coloured stripes. **End Summary** Topics: dresses]]> skirts]]> ladies kilts]]> scottish tartans]]> shawls]]> sashes]]> highlandwear]]> mini killt]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> I have a background in online marketing, working for Oxfam and Mind on websites and supporter materials for five years. I am really enjoying my work with the Scotland Kilt Company which is a small friendly business in Edinburgh. Contact us with your questions about highlandwear and take a look at our website for a huge range of items many at discount prices. info@thescotlandkiltcompany.co.uk http://www.thescotlandkiltcompany.co.uk/