Derrek Vaughn | The Valdosta Daily TimesPastor Richard Hart and piper Paul Guilbeau prepare for the Kirkin' o' the Tartan at Trinity Presbyterian Church.

VALDOSTA — Trinity Presbyterian Church will bless the Scottish Tartan this weekend in what has become an annual service of kilts and bagpipes.

The Kirkin’ o’ the Tartan service translates into the churching of the tartan, said Richard Hart, Trinity Presbyterian pastor.

“The Scottish word for church is ‘kirk,'” Hart said. “The ‘kirkin’ o’ the tartans’ refers to a time in Scotland centuries ago when wearing the tartan of one’s clan was forbidden. Swatches of tartan cloth were brought secretly into the kirk to ask God’s blessing on the family or clan.”

The church encourages the men to wear kilts and invites women to wear Tartan accents or accessories, Hart said.

“During the service at Trinity, tartans will be processed to bagpipe music,” Hart said. “Trinity music director, Mr. Paul Guilbeau, will serve as the bagpiper. Prayers of blessing will be offered for clans represented as well as for all families present during the service.”

Following the service, the Trinity congregation meets for a luncheon in the Fellowship Hall.

A few centuries ago, the English prohibited the Scots from wearing Tartans, a detail that many folks know because of movies, such as “Braveheart,” and modern traditions, such as the “Kirkin’ o’ the Tartan,” where the story goes that Scots sneaked swatches of Tartan fabric into their churches to secretly celebrate their heritage.

Much of the true story of Tartans is lost in the legends of films and these modern celebrations. The English ban on Tartans outlawed Scotland’s common folk from wearing the colors; however, Scottish nobility were permitted to wear Tartans.

Also, Scots caught with their Tartans were punished but they were not executed as popular myth has claimed. The ban on Tartans was lifted in the late 1800s.

Trinity holds the ceremony annually on Reformation Sunday, the last Sunday of October, Hart said.

The service “will include recognition of the Scottish heritage of Presbyterians,” Hart said. “Hymns and special music will be from the Scottish Psalter. Prayers and other parts of the liturgy will be taken from the Scots Confession of 1560.”

Trinity Presbyterian Church, 3501 Bemiss Road, observes the Scottish “Kirkin’ o’ the Tartan,” 11 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 28. A fellowship meal will follow at noon in the Fellowship Hall. The public is invited to attend.