Did you know....
Piping the arrival or departure of the bride and groom goes back to the tradition of clan chiefs having personal pipers leading them with ceremonious fanfare.
In Scotland, bells are traditionally rung before the bride to ward off misfortune and bad luck. It was believed the sound frightened off fairies which might be jealous of the newlyweds. happiness and do them harm.
Each bride uses items of clothing, or some token which she carries throughout her wedding day to bring luck. Something old was traditionally a gift from mother to daughter to start her lass off for married life. Something new was a gift symbolizing the new start married life represents. Something borrowed was something borrowed from a happily married couple in the hope that a little of their martial bliss will rub off on the newlyweds. Something blue was included because blue is the color normally associated with Mary the mother of Jesus who is often used to symbolize steadfast love, purity, and sincerity. A silver sixpence in the bride.s shoe is thought to bring prosperity to the couple.
The bride and groom cut the wedding cake with a dirk provided by the piper or other guest, and the bride.s hand is guided by the groom. The piper is given a 'wee dram', with a Scottish toast to the bride and groom by the bride's father.
By 1746, the Government, weary of being called to quell Highland uprising, enacted a law making it illegal for Highlanders to own or possess arms. A year later, the Dress Act restricted the wearing of Highland clothes. Any form of plaid: feilidh-beag, belted plaid, trews, shoulder belt, or little kilt were not to be worn in public. Punishment for a first offence was a six-month imprisonment, a second offence earned the wearer a seven-year exile to an overseas work farm. Only those individuals in the army were permitted to wear the plaid, and as a result, it is told that many Highlanders enlisted simply to be allowed to wear their more comfortable traditional dress.
Bagpipes have been outlawed in many places, including to World Cup of soccer, being still considered an instrument of war.
Legend has it that true Scotsmen wear no underwear with a kilt and maintain this tradition as a matter of pride. Soldiers of Scottish regiments' barracks when leaving the barracks must walk over a mirror at the Guardroom to check this detail. Punishment for non-compliance ranges from purchasing bottles of port for the members of the regiment to flogging with a tawse, or cane stick.