Scottish Christmas Walk

Scottish bagpipers.

The Scottish Christmas Walk in Old Town Alexandria

For the past several years, I have organized a group of individuals and their Welsh Terriers to participate in the Old Town Alexandria Scottish Christmas Walk and Parade.  The Scottish Walk is an important way for the City of Alexandria to remember its founders.

Dressed in his Clan kilt, this gentleman smokes a cigar while waiting for the Walk to begin.

Scottish merchants arrived in Old Town in 1749, and set up a prosperous port city.  It is not uncommon today to see Scottish flags flying in Old Town, and for the first two weeks in December, Scottish pride is prevalent.

My grandmother was born in Glasgow, Scotland, at the turn of the nineteenth century.  When she left her homeland, she brought the Clan Donnachaidh tartan and her pin with her.

My family tartan and pin.

When I was a young adult, my mother and I went to Scotland to see where Nana came from. I remember the trip vividly. 

Scottish countryside courtesy of Wix.

Staying in small bed-and-breakfasts throughout the country, we visited my grandmother’s school, the tenement where she lived in Glasgow, and even saw the pub where my great-grandfather used to drink his pints after work.

Now that I live in Old Town, it’s as if I am rekindling memories of my Nana and rediscovering a desire to learn more about my Scottish roots.

Many Scottish Clans turn out to march in the annual Scottish Walk.  For me, a self proclaimed attention hound, it means I have two chances to march in the parade.

Walking with the Welshes

Proudly holding our WTCares banner before the start of the parade.

On a bright and crisp Saturday in early December, seven dogs and their human attendants met up to represent Welsh Terrier Cares (WTCares) the national rescue organization. 

Hello there!

Do I know you?

Hurry up Dad I want to walk!

WTCares serves abandoned and unwanted Welsh Terriers around the United States.

West Highland Terrier

While there are not nearly as many Welsh Terriers as there are West Highland Terriers in the parade, our merry band of Welsh represented the breed with smiles and puppy kisses.

Sometimes a dog just needs a cuddle.

Several of the dogs, including Maisie, engaged with the crowd along the parade route.  Kids and adults with outstretched hands patted and cooed over our dogs.  While the dogs stole the show, we humans made sure that the dogs didn’t ingest candy or other human treats along the route.

Wearing the WTCares Bandana made by a WTCares supporter in Wyoming.

I know Maisie likes to perform, so we would periodically stop, twirl, and rise on hind legs to receive a treat from me. 

On the parade route.

Generally, a big cheer would rise up as she sat and twirled to the left and right.  Perhaps Maisie is an attention hound too!

Welsh and their Humans.

After walking over a mile in the parade, our group met one last time to plan our next outing. With the parade still going strong several families stayed to watch while others headed home with their dogs.

For me, I had to double back to find the Donnacaidh Clan and continue for another mile.

Celebrating another great Scottish Christmas Walk.

Clan Donnacaidh - My Scottish Family

Leaving the WTCares group, I went to search for Clan Donnachaidh. As usual, I was welcomed like family by Sam our Clan Leader and reconnected with several other Clansmen and women from previous walks.  It's like having a small family reunion, only I was still learning my families names!

A Scottish Clan parading.

After the parade, and some rousing chants of the Donnacaidh motto, ‘Fierce when roused,' we retired to The Fish Market for lunch and conversation. 

It was an honor to sit with both Sam and Tom the President and Vice President respectively.  Sam is a Scottish historian and his lunchtime lecture reminded me of dinners with my Nana.  Tom lectured less but was fascinating to get to know.

Serious and reserved, but with a mischievous twinkle in his eyes, Sam told Brian to remember I was always right.  I liked Sam, though he terrified me a bit because I felt he was quizzing me on my family knowledge and Scottish history.

Looking Back

Overall, it was another banner day parading and connecting with others.  Old Town really knows how to throw a great Scottish party!  And it means a lot to me to have the Welsh Terriers marching and promoting our breed and rescue. In fact, it results in an even more joyous occasion.

Next year, the Welsh and the Donnachaidh will again participate in the Scottish Christmas Walk and Parad. I hope to have even more Welshies in our group in an attempt to rival the large number Westies. 

And before I meet Sam again, I will need to bone up on my Donnachaidh history and hopefully have some photos of my trip to Scotland to share with him.

Revelers in Old Town

See you next week.