Scottish Clans

Here's an episode on a few things I find interesting about the Munros, some of which get us into conversations about broader questions about Scottish clans.  How does DNA evidence connect with their traditional origins?  Why did they choose the sides they did during the Scottish Civil War and the Jacobite Rebellions? My Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6x0f6dwjE00 www.scottish-clan...

Most often we see members of a clan come together for a common cause in the realm of warfare.  This episode highlights a welcome break from the bloodshed as we look at clans that embraced certain professions.  Which clans were physicians, historians, craftsmen, etc.?  This is a fascinating aspect of the topic of Scottish Clans. Visit scottish-clans.com for more resources in your study of the Scott...

This is a continuation of the last discussion regarding the difference between what a clan chief owned and the place where his kindred called home.  Looking at clan maps can give a person the wrong impression about this topic, so we dive into it and bust some misconceptions. Website: scottish-clans.com Do you like this content?  You can give back at scottish-clans.com/team. Sponsor: usakilts.com

In the USA, it's Thanksgiving Day, and I'm thankful for you all!  Thank you so much for listening.  Many of you have followed up with comments and questions and allowed this conversation to grow and develop.  I hope this episode helps some of you better understand the nature of clanship and hopefully erase some misconceptions that could be gained by looking at clan maps. Check out my website at sc...

In another installation of 'Clan Founders' we take a look at a very influential member of the native, Gaelic aristocracy who helped Scotland become what it is today and founded the Ross clan.  Learn what made him such an important person in Scottish history!  This is available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify as well.  Thanks for listening. Scottish-clans.com  If you enjoy what you're learning, you c...

Here's an episode that comes from a listener request.  The Kerrs were everything that we think of when we hear the term "Border Reivers".  Here's a few things about them that I consider noteworthy.   If you like this and other episodes, consider contributing to the cause at scottish-clans.com/team.   Pick up your free pdf of the 1587 Act of Parliament that lists clans that the Scottish crown viewe...

Often lumped in with and undistinguished from the Normans, this group of bold adventurers begat kindreds that had a disproportionate influence on Scottish history compared to their actual numbers.  Check out Amy Eberlin's research on them and their involvement in Scottish history in the link below. https://flemish.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/author/ae29/ Sponsor: usakilts.com and https://www.youtube.com/c...

The Redeswirer Fray, or Raid on Redeswire, is considered by some to be the last official conflict between England and Scotland.  Follow me as I describe the role the Rutherfords played in this this battle. Useful links: YouTube version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3SQHovR98R4 Scottish-clans.com Scottish-clans.com/1587 for a free pdf of the Roll of the Clans http://www.clanrutherfurd.org Tons o...

There is so much misunderstanding at the beginner level when people learn they have Scottish ancestors.  What they picture in their minds, unless they have verified Highland ancestry,  is often wrong.  Those from the Borders looked (in dress) and sounded (in language) much different from their Highland counterparts.  In this episode I endeavor to untangle this.  Never fear!   Border Reiver descend...

Following the last episode, here are my interviews with Helen at the Young Clan tent and Steven Argyle and Lois Ann Garlitz at the MacGregor tent from the Payson Scottish Festival.   I've spent most of my time studying the Scottish clans in their original context so it was interesting to learn about a more modern incarnation from those deeply involved in it.  I hope all you Youngs and MacGregors (...

This was a new experience for me.  We recently had the Payson Scottish Festival and I had the chance to interview Tom Campbell at the Campbell tent and Alex and Ted at the MacDonald tent.  What a cool experience and a look into an aspect of our subject that I haven't spent a lot of time studying.  Thanks to Tom, Ted, and Alex for taking the time to visit with me.  No, it's not intentional to put t...

I get a lot of people asking me for more information about the clan they're descended from.  In this episode, I give 3 tips for the beginner to start down the road of learning more about their Scottish ancestors.  This road is one that can give them starting information but also lead them to more advanced sources. Sponsor usakilts.com and https://www.youtube.com/c/USAKiltsOfficial

I ordered a new kilt!  How does someone pick a tartan for a kilt?  If I had a Scottish last name, it would be pretty straightforward.  But I don't.  I'll share my unconventional method for choosing the tartan.  Do you agree?  Let me know.

The Campbells were one of the most powerful clans in Scotland.  What was their origin?  Were they Gaels from Dal Riata?  Britons of Strathclyde?  Picts?  Angles from Northumbria?  Normans?  Vikings?  Let's hear from Professor Stephen Boardman of the University of Edinburgh on this topic!  It's taken from his book The Campbells: 1250-1513. I really enjoyed this book and will be sharing more from it...

In and interview with Bruce from Scotland History Tours, Dr. Martin MacGregor of the University of Glasgow shared some fascinating perspectives about the existence of clans in the Lowlands as well as his opinion of the term "Clan System".  In this episode, I just share the highlights of the interview.  To see the whole thing, become a subscriber to Scotland History Tours on Youtube.   Sponsor: usa...

In this final episode on the MacPhersons, I share how the nature of the MacPherson clan relationship with the rest of Clan Chattan as well as the story of the Battle of Invernahavon.  This battle is illustrative of the attitude of the MacPhersons toward the Mackintosh leadership of Clan Chattan and is just a good story on its own.  This is also available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.   Sponsor: ...

We continue the deep dive into the Clan Chattan and how they, and specifically the MacPhersons, came to be in Badenoch.  Also available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Sources https://scottishclans.podbean.com/p/sources-for-studying-the-scottish-clans/   Sponsor: usakilts.com and https://www.youtube.com/c/USAKiltsOfficial

The Clan Chattan, the MacPhersons, and the Chattan Confederation played a major role in the history of the central and eastern Highlands.  At the same time, exactly how all these clans came together, as well as where the actual Chattan kindred originated from have been cloudy in my mind for a long time.  So I decided to make it a project and share what I learned.  Join me as I untangle the Clan Ch...

Did the clan system emerge out of the feudal system brought by the Normans or did it merge with and influence something that had already been in Scotland for centuries?  This topic comes from numerous conversations on the Scottish Clans Facebook group.  Join me as I dive in and share my thoughts in this two-part episode. Sponsor: usakilts.com and https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCni9cPU0kh5S84aQ-3...

Did the clan system emerge out of the feudal system brought by the Normans or did it merge with and influence something that had already been in Scotland for centuries?  This topic comes from numerous conversations on the Scottish Clans Facebook group.  Join me as I dive in and share my thoughts in this two-part episode. Sponsor: usakilts.com and https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCni9cPU0kh5S84aQ-3...

In English, we say "clan".  But in Gaelic, the kin-based system is so much more developed, and this is evident in Gaelic vocabulary.  In this episode, let's look at some of the basic Gaelic words that contemporary sources used when referring to kin groups along with a few examples of each.  This is also available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Sources A list of sources from my website on Podbean.c...

The MacSweens/MacSweeneys had a very dynamic history.  One thing is for sure, whenever they were knocked down, they got back up again and improved their situation.  This episode highlights just a few things I find interesting about this clan.  Also available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Sources: https://named.publicprofiler.org/ https://archive.org/details/leabharchlainnes00walsuoft The Kingdom...

Right after releasing the last episode, I was able to acquire a copy of Alison Cathcart's "Kinship and Clientage: Highland Clanship 1451-1609."  It really helped me understand with more depth the factors involved in the succession to the chief of a Highland Clan.  Join me as I share what I learned. Sponsor usakilts.com and https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCni9cPU0kh5S84aQ-3d_DJA Source https://www...

In many descriptions of the Highland Clans, Tanistry is often given as the method used to decide succession among chiefs.  I have already done an episode describing this system.  In this episode, I relate my findings from a historical survey I did with seven Highland/Hebridean clans to see whether this system was employed or whether primogeniture was more common.  I traced the chiefly line of seve...

In this episode, I finish what I started in the last one about the MacLeods' Fairy Flag and its use in the Battle of Glendale.  Did it turn out how the MacLeods hoped?  Also, I discuss a subject from the Facebook group: Scottish clan maps.  Do you have one?  Do you want one?  How useful are they really?  This is also available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.   Sponsor: usakilts.com andhttps://www.y...