by Beth Mckinney

Created on: February 13, 2010

A clan is more than a family. For many Scots within and without Scotland, the clan is a reminder of history, a symbol of ethnic identity and a source of cultural pride. Clans have formed societies throughout the world so members can connect with each other to keep tradition alive.  Most clans have a tartar , a coat of arms and a motto, but all are part of Scotland’s heritage and many have played an important role in history.

History of the Scottish clan

Scottish clans offered loyalty and protection to its members in the early days of the Celtic tribes. Most of the members were related to a common ancestor, but a clan could also include septs, or groups of families that were only loosely related. Between the 5th Century and 1745, clans were the primary form of social cohesion throughout Scotland. Each clan was ruled by a chieftain, who was often a skilled military leader.

In 1746, several Scottish clans rose up against the King of England in an attempt to restore the Stuart clan to the throne. They were brutally defeated and the angry king set out to dismantle the clan system in order to prevent more attacks. However,  the ban was eventually repealed and had again become a source of pride by the beginning of the 19th Century.

The Clans of Scotland

Today clans are considered “noble incorporations” in Scotland and clan chiefs hold a title that is recognized under Scottish law.  Clan chiefs are registered with the court of the lord Lyon, which keeps records of the clan heraldry. Many clans have a historic connection to a specific region of Scotland.

Many people of Scottish heritage can connect with their clans through clan societies throughout the world. The Campbell clan, for example, has a large society in North America, which encourages anyone with the Campbell name to explore the clan's history and heritage. The current clan chief, Maccailein Mor, The Duke Of Argyll, lives in the ancestral home of the Campbell clan, Inverary Castle, which is usually open to visitors.

Tartans of the Scottish clans

The MacDonald name is also well-known as a clan of Scotland whose members are spread throughout the world. Like most Scottish clans, the clan of Donald has its own tartan.  The MacDonald tartan usually contains thick, rich indigo and green stripes highlighted by bright red lines, but MacDonalds of different regions of Scotland may wear different tartans.

Tartans are well-loved throughout the world, and many fashion designers have made tartans an important part of their catalogue. Burberry’s subtle plaid of red, white and grey stripes over a cream background, for example, is a recognizable part of its label. Similarly, the tartans of the Gordon, Stuart and Murray clans are also recognized as a kind of family signature.

Though Scottish clans were historically violent, they were also an important source of protection and comfort to their members. Today, they are an important source of cultural pride. Clan societies connect members to each other and to their common history and traditions, which are preserved by the clan’s continued gatherings.

Learn more about this author, Beth Mckinney.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.