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11
THE CLERGY.
'HE Sreacan nan Cltirich, or Tartan of the clergy, a mixture of black, dark blue, with
light blue or white stripes, is referred to by Logan in his " Scottish Gael."
" Down to a very recent period," says Mr Smith of Mauchline, "this pattern
was generally used by the clergy in the Highlands for their weekday habiliments,
and even now the secular mantle or plaid of the priesthood in the North is not
unfreqnently made of this or similar kinds of stuff.'
It is also included in the lists of Tartans sold at the present time.
"In those times," says Logan, "when the Highlanders went armed both to
kirk and market, the gentlemen took their gillie-mor or swordbearer with them.
Even the clergymen armed themselves, in compliance with the national custom.
The Rev. Donald Macleod of Skye, who lived about forty years ago, remembered
his great-grandfather, who was also a clergyman, going to church with his twohanded
sword and his servant, who walked behind with his bow and case of arrows." A Gaelic
song, he adds, alludes to thia practice, where it is said
"John is girt with his sword at sermon."