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TARTANS

This page was last updated: April 12, 2009

Tartans are described by the purpose for which they are used.

CLAN TARTANS:-

These are patterns for general use by members of the clan

DRESS TARTANS:-

These were originally worn by the women of the clan and were lighter colored variations of the clan tartan pattern.

HUNTING TARTANS:-

These were worn for sport. If a clan's tartan was brightly colored then their hunting tartan was designed using normally browns and greens so the wearer was less visible against the heather, grass and bracken of the moors and mountains.

MOURNING TARTANS:-

Dark variations on the clan tartan for use at funerals and periods of mourning.

CHIEF'S TARTANS:-

These are special designs that are only worn by the clan chief and his immediate family

ROYAL TARTANS:-

These should never be worn by anyone outside the Royal Family

"How do you know when its time to tune your bagpipes?"

"Bagpipers always walk when they play to get away from the noise"

                                                                                    Laing MacDowell

MAIN

Old  family friend--Lawrence Cameron, formerly of Iron Mines sent us some information on our family ancestors and on Iron Mines,CBI, back when.

".........................Your great grand father,Edward  Campbell died before I was born. About 1916, I think. I recall my mother saying that she had never met him, and she taught school at Wilburn in 1916-17. I have the impression

that he was a person of some consequence in the neighbourhood. His signature occurs on a couple of our family documents, along with that of George MacKenzie (Iron Mines). ..........

..........................................................................................................................................................

I remember his brother,Hughie, very well. The Wilburn school was near to his farm, and  the spring from which the school got its drinking water was along his lane through the woods. He had the reputation, justified,I think, of being a 'dangerous' character, and we always kept on the look-out when we went to the spring. In fact, he was a very courtly old man with very good manners. But it is true that in his sea-faring days he did things on the high seas which were not according to the laws of the sea, and we always thought of him as a pirate. He had a very dark complection, probably acquired at sea, and was known as "Black Hughie".............................................. ...........................................................................................................................................................................

The school was originally called Caribou, and was built quite early on. The building I attended was the second one on the site, and the foundation of the original one could be traced in the playground. The only teacher of whom I have heard tales was James D.Gillis - - author of --'The Cape Breton Giant' . He used to march his pupils around the playground while playing on his bagpipes. There were many stories of his eccentricities; while teaching in the community he wooed one of the Campbell girls at Iron MInes by playing under her window at night. Her father finally could not stand it, and emptied his chamber pot on the player's head. Gillis claimed that his unsuccessful courting was all the fault of Martin Luther (Gillis was R.C.)

We all thank Lawrence for these remarks, any more like this out there?

Ralph's  have a good selection of  CD's & tapes  of Cape Breton fiddlers.