Scottish Clans

Was the last clan battle that which happened at Altimarlach in 1680 or the battle of Mulroy in 1688? In this two-part episode I consider the events that lead up to the battle of Mulroy and the different perspectives one could take in deciding if it was the last clan battle. The Highland clans of Mackintosh and MacDonnell of Keppoch take center stage with supporting performances by the MacDonald br...

Was the last clan battle that which happened at Altimarlach in 1680 or the battle of Mulroy in 1688? In this two-part episode I consider the events that lead up to the battle of Mulroy and the different perspectives one could take in deciding if it was the last clan battle. The Highland clans of Mackintosh and MacDonnell of Keppoch take center stage with supporting performances by the MacDonald br...

This is a small sampling of clans that still have chiefs. Some of them come from a line of chiefs which is unbroken since the founder of the clan. Others lines were resurrected after a period of time where the clan was chiefless. Make sure Bruce from Scotland History Tours is a part of your next trip to Scotland: clint@scotlandhistorytours.co.uk Scottish Clans Website! Scottish Clans on YouTube!

The book The Well of the Heads: Historical Tales of the Scottish Clans is a new addition to my library (amazon link below). It's a wealth of semi-historical lore of the clans. Here I pull two stories, one for the Macintyres and one for the MacDonnells of Keppoch. Both are great stories that I hope you enjoy. Help with your next trip to Scotland! The Well of the Heads Amazon Link Other great books...

Fortunes rise and fall but these clans managed to hold on to these castles throughout the generations. Some of them are even still lived in by the chief! Make sure Bruce Fumey is part of your next trip to Scotland: clint@scotlandhisotrytours.co.uk Wear your pride in your Scottish heritage! - www.usakilts.com Scottish Clans Website Scottish Clans on YouTube The Fairy Flag of the MacLeods Episode Th...

The Normans' impact on Scotland was disproportionately large compared to their genetic contribution. They were the "cool kids" and native magnates from all over Scotland were eager to adapt their ideas and ways. In addition, they founded several major clans. Join me to examine their military and political contributions. At the end I'll highlight SOME of the clans that came from this dynamic group....

The Vikings had a profound impact on the development of Scotland (read/listen to some of Dauvit Broun's work) as well as founded several Scottish clans! Join me for a look at the role they played, as well as learning about several clans that they founded.

This group is often overlooked when discussing those groups that contributed to the foundations of the Scottish clans. Then why discuss them? Join me and see. Also available on Apple Podcasts. Check the links below. Contribute to the Cause! Check out my Reading List w/ Amazon links! The YouTube channel for Scottish Clans USA Kilts

This kingdom of Britons was a major power in what would become Scotland from the fall of the Roman Empire to it's annexation by the Scottish kings. Let's look at why this group is important as we seek to understand the ethnic origins of the Scottish clans. My reading list and other resources! Contribute to the Cause! My sponsor: USA Kilts My YouTube channel!

In this episode, I start by sharing the traditional narrative of the Gaelic takeover of the Picts. Next, I add important historical context around this process. Finally, I present a brilliant theory by Dr. Alan Bruford as found in the book Alba: Celtic Scotland in the Medieval Era. Amazon link to the book below. Alba: Celtic Scotland in the Medieval Era Many more book recommendations here! Contrib...

We continue with the miniseries detailing the various groups that contributed to the Clans of Scotland! In this episode, we discuss myths and traditional narratives of the Picts and challenge them with more recent scholarship. Scottish Clans on YouTube Scottish Clans Website Resources for studying the Scottish Clans USA Kilts - my sponsor

We're taking it back to the foundations folks!  The Scots of the kingdom of Dal Riata made important contributions to the concept of the Scottish clans.  Find out what they were in this new take on one of my earliest episodes for this podcast.  This is the first in a series of podcasts revisiting the ethnic roots of the Scottish clans. Sponsor: usakilts.com Scottish Clans YouTube Channel Scottish...

This one is the stuff best-selling novels, movies or series are made of!  We take a story I've told before here and, using a paper written by Prof. Steve Boardman, peel back the layers to reveal and even more compelling story than I originally ever imagines.  Loyalty, betrayal, feud, alliance, romance, infidelity, and action all come together to make this one of my all-time favorites.  I hope you...

You won't agree with everything Dr. Pittock says but hopefully you've considered the possibility that some of your conceptions about Scottish clans are off.  What are some of the misconceptions that are widely held that Dr. Pittock corrects?  What ideas of your own did he challenge?  This episode is sure to stir the pot but I hope you enjoy it and that it is helpful.  Check out Dr. Pittock's books...

During the Jacobite Rising of 1745, clans that were already at feud chose different sides and continued the conflict.  But with the failure of the rising and its disastrous conclusion at the Battle of Culloden, sometimes the fighting didn't stop.  Check out this story of conflict between the Stewarts of Appin and the Campbells. Website: www.scottish-clans.com Contribute to the cause!   Online Cour...

I hope you enjoyed the part of my discussion with Dr. Martin MacGregor.  Here is the rest of our conversation.  Now that we've established the origins of both clans, we get into their turbulent relationship with each other, which ended far away from where it began.  This is also available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.  Stay tuned for YouTube clips with visual aids. Scottish Clans YouTube channel...

What a great experience it was to learn these two well-known clans, the Campbells and MacGregors, and their turbulent relationship from one of the most knowledgeable people on the subject!  I hope you enjoy this conversation I had with him.  This is only the first half of our discussion.  Stay tuned for part 2 as well as YouTube content complete with visual aids coming soon. YouTube Channel for Sc...

I'm excited to share part 1 of the discussion that I had with Dr. Aonghas MacCoinnich!!!  He focuses on the Clans Mackenzie and MacLeod of Lewis.  You could not get a more knowledgeable person for these two clans.  This was truly a feast.  If you have any interest in either of these two clans, this and the next episode are for you.  I hope you enjoy this as much as I did. Scottish Clans YouTube ch...

I'm excited to share this discussion that I had with Dr. Aonghas MacCoinnich!!!  He focuses on the Clans Mackenzie and MacLeod of Lewis.  You could not get a more knowledgeable person for these two clans.  This was truly a feast.  If you have any interest in either of these two clans, this and the next episode are for you.  I hope you enjoy this as much as I did. Scottish Clans YouTube channel Spo...

As promised during last episode, I share a couple more examples of earlier kindreds that begat clans that we are more familiar with today.  I also discuss why I feel this is an important thing to consider when understanding where clans come from and what they really are.  Also available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Sponsor: USA Kilts Scottish Clans website Contribute to the Cause Free Resources

Many of the clans we recognize today formed between the twelfth and fourteenth centuries.  What is less well-known is that many of these clans evolved from previous clans.  Some of these previous kindreds are well-documented.  Others remain obscure both regarding their history and their antiquity.  Here are some examples of clans that emerged from earlier clans, whether familiar or mysterious. My...

The Highland charge was a devastating military tactic that scattered enemy forces on numerous occasions.  The big question is, "Which specific clans actually executed the Highland charge?"  Many people see Alasdair mac Colla MacDonnell as the author of this tactic and it was specifically the clans fighting under him that performed this feat of arms.  Yet not all the those who had this experience w...

One of the most dynamic and exciting aspects of seventeenth century Highland history was the Highland Charge.  We'll go over what a Highland charge was and why it was so effective.  In subsequent episodes we'll go over which battles it was used in and therefore which clans have engaged in this fearsome military tactic. Scottish Clans website: www.scottish-clans.com Scottish Clans YouTube channel:...

Just to get to the battlefield, the Marquis of Montrose and his Royalist forces pulled off  "one of the greatest exploits in the history of British arms."  I take this episode from John L. Roberts' Clan, King, and Covenant: History of the Highland Clans from the Civil War to the Glencoe Massacre.  Learn about the incredible march as well as the epic battle between Royalist and Covenanter forces. ...

This is the last segment of my discussion with Mike Doyle of the Clans and Dynasties YouTube channel.  Many thanks to him for sharing his knowledge with the Scottish Clans audience.  In this episode, we discuss the relationship between the Irish and Scottish clans, using the MacSween/MacSweeneys as an illustration. Mike's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Clans_Dynasties You can find some...