An Comunn Gàidhealach Publications > Gaidheal > Volume 35, October 1939--September 1940

An Lunasdal, 1940.
AN GAIDHEAL.
“In the accounts, it is shewn that a sum
of £12,119 was spent in purchases. This
sum, was distributed as follows: —«
Outer Hebrides £3190
Skye 1264
Sutherland 628
Ross-shire 1080
Shetland 2941
Wool Purchases 2649
“The balance being miscellaneous
purchases from other parts of the High¬
lands.’’
THE KILT AS AN INSPIRATION.
The kilt is more than a national dress,
it is an inspiration. English regiments of
high renown admired and envied the
“Jocks” as they swung past in their kilts,
and it was the practice of Highland regiment
commands in the Great War to send a
party of kilted Highlanders to beat up
recruits in the large industrial towns of
England.
A good part of the fighting spirit of our
fathers centred on the kilt and pipes
inspirations. Those were our particular
symbols that—like the Perth blacksmith—
we fought, in the first place, for our own
hands, and our own ideals. Members of a
glorious Empire, Highlanders are also
something more, for they have their
distinctive traditions, and their distinctive
dress.
Sir Colin Campbell’s confidence in his
Highlanders was such that at Balaclava he
rode down their line saying: “Remember,
there is no retreat from here, men. You
must die where you stand.” To which the
old 93rd replied, as one man: “Ay, ay, Sir
Colin; we’ll do that.”
The people of the old Highlands did not
expect their kilted lads to be examples in
war, they knew that they could show the
way in the most dangerous of warlike efforts,
and if there was a specially hard nut to
crack, the call was for the Highlanders.
What old soldier did not feel hurt and
dismayed when he heard, in the din of
preparation for what is the greatest war of
all, that the kilt had been abolished as a war
dress? Those who made that order had no
sympathy with the feelings of the tradition-
imbued Highland soldier.
An unsuitable battle dress? I trow not,
as the kilt keeps the vulnerable organs of
the human body warm in the coldest
weather. Economy? Surely not! Of what
avail economy in a war where the
example of one devoted battalion, or a
devoted division, may be the turning point
in a campaign.
It is not too late to dress our Highland
recruiting parties as of yore in the brave
Highland panoply, and to send them to
tour the manufacturing districts of England,
and even London itself, to beat up recruits.
The inspiration of the kilt is felt by
others than the English. French soldiers
admired our kilted Highlanders, and were
delighted at the sound of the pipes. Give
those French soldiers now in Britain the
chance to join a Scottish regiment, and most
of them would probably jump at the chance,
for it is the idea of the ordinary Frenchman
that the Scottish people are “bon.”
—Oban Times.
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PROPAGANDA.
Northern Area.
There has been a good response to the
appeal made in the July issue of the
magazine for the provision of Field
Ambulances, and many branches and
supporters have subscribed liberally. The
Central Committee, with its enthusiastic
Convener, Mrs. J. M. Bannerman, are
doing their utmost to have two Ambulances
on duty at the earliest possible moment, and
supporters in the Northern Area will not
relax their efforts until this has been
accomplished.
Although it is only a few weeks since Mr.
Marjoribanks launched his appeal for sub¬
scriptions towards a Comunn na h-Oigridh
Ambulance, there is already a steady flow
of donations from Eeachdan and supporters.
Plockton Feachd set the ball arolling with a
handsome donation of £15 Is 6d, and their
near neighbours, Dornie, are now busily
engaged doing their bit. The children in
Daliburgh Feachd held a little concert in aid
of the fund, and this realised £3 5s. There
are 21 Feachdan in Uist, and a small sum
from each of these would be of great value.
What can we say of Leachkin School,
Inverness? Although there is no Feachd
there, the school childreft wish to be associ¬
ated in this great effort, and have collected
the handsome sum of £6 7s. Dulnain Bridge
School children are also to help. To our old
friend, Mr. John MacPherson, Sporting
Stores, moran taing for donation of
one guinea.