At any Scottish gathering, whether it be Games or Burns Dinners, you may see tartans of many and varied hues and patterns being worn.  Many people are confused, and even uninformed, about the different terms applied to these patterns and colors.  Here are a few terms that may help in understanding.
   "Modern" and "Ancient"
In regard to tartan "modern" does not mean new and "ancient" does not mean old.  A better term for "modern" would actually be "standard," because that is the standard colors of that particular tartan.  "Ancient" refers to the same tartan produced in lighter tones, meant to reflect what that tartan might look like after years of fading.
   "Weathered", "Muted", "Antique"
This idea of producing tartans in multiple shades dates back to the early-to-mid twentieth century and it is not limited to "modern" and "ancient".  Another very common tartan appellation is "weathered."  This is an even more dramatic fading of the tartan, usually reducing the colors to browns and greys and muted shades of red.
   "Hunting"
Generally speaking, a hunting tartan is simply a tartan that is based more in greens and blues, and often browns.  Some Clans, such as Campbell do not have "hunting" tartans—their ordinary clan tartan is already in these colors.  The term "hunting" refers to the fact that these tartans tend to be more muted in color, and has nothing to do with the actual usage of the tartan.  "Hunting" tartans were not designed for hunters. 
   "Dress Tartan"
Again, generally speaking, a dress tartan is simply a tartan using white as one of the primary colors.  There are exceptions to the rule—for example, the Dress MacLeod tartan is a yellow tartan.  The inspiration for dress tartans goes back to eighteenth century women's fashion.  It was typical at that time for women to wear an earasaid (a large wrap) made from a white or cream based tartan.  The modern concept of dress tartans hearkens back to this fashion and many dress tartans are simply versions of the standard clan tartan with a main color changed to white, or extra white added to the pattern. 
   "Bumbee Tartan"
"Bumbee" is slang for an unnamed tartan pattern, as one might find in a general fabric store.  As in, "I like that shirt you are wearing, what tartan is it"  "Oh, this?  It's just a bumbee tartan."

Results from the March 2014 Highland Games

British Car Show

Best of Show - Randy Copleman, 1935 MG PA

President's Choice - Jerry Walton, 1966 Austin Healey 300 BJ8

Chairman's Choice - Barry Briskman, 1952 Rolls Royce Silver Wraith

Peoples' Choice - Arvin Bernstein, 1977 Panther J72

First Place Field Classes:
*Morgan - Arvin Bernstein
*Classic Mini - Philip Blahak
*Triumph - Matt Reynolds
*One-of-a-Kind - David Grubbs (Jaguar) 

Highland Dance

Premier 7 & under 12
First Place - Beret Dembach
Second Place - Breagh MacKinnon
Third Place - Emma Ingalls

Premier 14 & under 16
First Place - Kaylee Finegan
Second Place - Emma Schiff
Third Place - Megan Watson

Best Clan Tent

Clans Chair presents the best Clan Tent Award for 2014 jointly to Clan MacInnes (on the right) and Clan MacFie (on the left), for their combined display, designed to welcome visitors and present a large array of exhibits and materials.

Athletics

When Robert the Bruce invaded northern England, Edward II sent troops in retaliation and the two armies met on June 24, 1314 at Bannockburn.  This would go down in history as one of the most momentous battles in British history. 

Robert the Bruce prepared his field of battle carefully.  His army was heavily out-numbered by the English, but he managed, by clever tactics, to prevent the enemy from fully using its strength.  At the end of the day, the Scots achieved a total victory.  With the English in disarray, the Bruce was free to harass northern England.  He invaded Ireland, where his brother    Edward was crowned king by the exuberant Irish.  When a second English army, led by Edward II, advanced north of the border, the Bruce drove them back.  In the face of this defeat, Edward was forced to seek peace. 

In May 1320, a peace treaty was signed at Northampton by the weary, helpless English king.  The treaty recognized Scotland as an independent kingdom and Robert the Bruce as king.  The Declaration of Arbroath was the culmination of Bruce's career.  All his dreams were fulfilled.  For years he had been an Anglo-Norman vassal of the king of England.  He had now made himself into the undisputed monarch of an independent country.  Truly, he was Scotland's national hero.

But King Robert was failing.  He died on June 7, 1329, in his 55th year, an old man for his time, surrounded by family and friends.  As requested, his friend Douglas took the king's heart on the crusade the ruler had never been able to make.  Falling in battle against the Moors in Spain, Douglas' last act was to throw the Bruce's heart into the midst of the enemy. 

King Robert's excommunication from the church had been lifted shortly before his death.  Six days after that event the Pope issued a bull acknowledging Scotland's sovereignty and permitting a king of Scots to be crowned.  With this, the throne passed to David, Robert's young son.

The Declaration of Arbroath included a letter to the Pope.  The letter stated that since ancient times, the Scots had been free to choose their own kings.  This freedom, they claimed, was a gift of God.  And so it was…a gift that they needed a Robert the Bruce to deliver.

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Barclay /  Berkeley

Barclay appears to have descended from the extinct lordship, Barclay of Mathers that was found in Kincardineshire.  Theobald de Berchelai came to Scotland with King David I, like so many other young noblemen.  The family had Norman ancestry and arrived in England with William the conqueror in 1066.  Berchelai is supposedly an Anglo Saxon version of "good" or "fair meadow.  Walter de Berkeley was Lord Chamberlain of Scotland in 1165.

David Barclay, possibly a descendent of the Mathers branch was a soldier and held the rank of major in the army of the King of Sweden.  This was a time in the 17th century when Sweden had created an empire in the Baltic.  David returned when the civil war erupted in Britain and fought for the King.  He later joined the Society of Friends, generally known as Quakers.

David's grandson, another David, with other associates established Barclay's Bank.