Map of the Highland Line kindly provided by W. Neil Fraser. The government recalled 12,000 troops from the … The subject of septs is a contentious one and one which is difficult to resolve with any degree of historical accuracy. 295: celtic culture. Highland Titles Limited is a limited company registered in Alderney, No. The idea of a clan-specific tartan emerged fairly late-on in the history of the clan system, around the 18th century. 547: list of clan septs and dependents arranged under the clans with which they are connected. This list of clans contains clans registered with the Lord Lyon Court. Finally, inside each of this sub-groups the clans are listed alphabetically. Jump to navigation Jump to search. I appreciate the difficulty in writing the history of ALL of the Clans. When surnames came into use in the 16th and 17th centuries, many took their clan leader’s name as their own. The news that Charles Edward had landed in Scotland with a handful of followers and was gathering support amongst the highland clans was initially met with little alarm. McNeil, for example, is also spelt McNeill, MacNeil, MacNèill, MacNeill and McNeal. The following is a comparison and contrast of the Highland and Border clans of Scotland. Along with the clans listed on the side of Bonnie Prince Charlie was the regiment of Atholl Highlanders made up of Clan Murray and the following clansmen of Clan Ferguson, Stewart of Atholl, men from Clan Elphinstone, Forbes, Keith, MacKenzie, MacLeod of MacLeod, Macleod of Lewis, MacTavish, MacMillan, Maxwell, Ramsey and Clan Wemyss. Everyone who swore allegiance to the clan chief was considered part of the clan, whether related by blood or not to the chief. Clans of the Scottish Highlands and Lowlands Map. Should you not find your name in here then it is either a sept of one of the official clans or else it is not recognised as being an official clan. Edited by John S Keltie F.S.A. Scot. Have you ever wondered where your Scottish surname comes from? Peter has a son called John - John's surname becomes Peterson (Peterson's son). Most are smaller, more local, than those in USA, Canada and Australia; all have the traditional heavy events as well as piping and Highland Dancing competitions. Most clans have their own tartan patterns, usually dating from the 19th century, which members may incorporate into kilts or other clothing. It was referred to by George V as "my personal tartan", [This quote needs a citation] though it appears in the Vestiarium Scoticum at least 23 years before his birth. more details * You obtain a personal right to a souvenir plot of land. Highland Titles remains as the registered landowner and manages the land on your behalf. Clans give a sense of shared identity and descent to members, and in modern times have an official structure recognised by the Court of the Lord Lyon, which regulates Scottish heraldry and coats of arms. The clans such as Macintosh, Campbell and Grant had ruled their lands in the highlands for hundreds of years. Interestingly, the ‘Macs’ rule the north and west coast, with the MacNeil, MacDonald and MacLeod clans populating the Outer Hebrides. For more on Scotland's clans, visit our societies, clans and clubs section. We will continue to work on adding new pages on each specific clan, so keep visiting this page! Does it belong to one of the clans of Scotland? What were the Highland clans, how did the clan system work and why did it disappear? The reasons for the highland clearances essentially came down to two things: money and loyalty. This is a list of Official Clans and Families registered by the Court of the Lord Lyon. While the term ‘clan’ means family or children in Gaelic, not everyone in the same clan was actually related to each other. Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press. The Independent Highland Companies were irregular militia raised from the Scottish clans of the Scottish Highlands, by order of the Government between 1603 and 1760 in order to help keep the peace in the Highlands and enforce the law and were officially recognized as such by the Government. View Course. [With a Map.] 1. By this point, improved trade and communication links between northern and southern clans were already leading to the dilution of the clan system and the infamous Highland Clearances effectively signalled the end as thousands of Scottish land workers sought the promise of a better life on distant shores. It’s fascinating to examine a map of Scottish clan territories. Entertainment came in the form of storytelling, music and poetry, and August was the month for sports, which closely resembled today’s Highland games activities. These fearless warlords were hungry for more land, and often ready to fight for new territory or to defend their clan. The word ‘clan’ derives from the Gaelic word ‘clann’ or ‘clanna’ for children, and describes a close-knit group of relatives. The Highland clans of Scotland are famous, the names celebrated, and the deeds heroic. Anyone who pledged their allegiance to the chief could use the clan name as their own, and this included those who worked for the clan or needed protection. Highland Games take place throughout Scotland from May through to September. This is a list of castles in the Highland council area of Scotland. Expert local knowledge, gifts and inspiration. Edited by John S Keltie F.S.A. While there are numerous versions of the clan maps of Scotland, most feature a clear division between Scotland’s two peoples: the Lowland Scots and the Gaelic clans. Murray from Moray in the North East. For example, Clan Campbell claimed they had descended from Diarmid O’Dyna, a popular demigod character in Irish myth and legend, while the first head of Clan Donald was said to be a descendant of Conn, the King of Ulster. It is also, as Alistair Moffat reveals, the story of a fearless people, shaped by the unique traditions and landscape of the Scottish Highlands. Verified Purchase. Within the clan, a chief would encourage members to marry each other to keep the bloodline pure. 13 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Scotland. Scotland Travel Guide. 413: the gaelic and other celtic languages . Subcategories. Meanwhile patronymics also feature - ie. Highland Titles, PO Box 7059, Roybridge, PH31 4WA, Scotland. Disclaimer: If a clan is underlined, it means there is a whole page dedicated to its history, tartan, crest, and more. List of prisoners following the Battle of Culloden. Find out much more with our exclusive digital download: Scotland's Highland Clans. We use the PayPal secure payment system so you can be confident your details are safe. Was exactly what I was looking for, a definitive book on the Highland Clans. By the 1800's they were under attack in the form of increasing pressure from the English monarchy and British Government. In addition to the attachment to the land, our Lords, Ladies, and Lairds also have a sense of belonging to the community, and we even have our own tartan and crest! However, you didn’t need to be related to the clan chief to be considered a part of the clan. Scottish clans (from Gaelic clann, "progeny"), give a sense of identity and shared descent to people in Scotland and to their relations throughout the world, with a formal structure of Clan Chiefs recognised by the court of the Lord Lyon, King of Arms which acts as an authority concerning matters of heraldry and Coat of Arms. The Lord Lyon Court defines a clan or family as a legally recognised group, but does not differentiate between families and clans as it recognises both terms as being interchangeable. Highland clans Scotland Listed in the Vestiarium Scoticum: 120px: Clan MacQuarrie: Highlands Scotland 120px: Clan Macqueen: Highland clans Scotland Listed in the Vestiarium Scoticum with the caption "Makqwhenis, fowr stryppis red vpon ane blak fylde, and throuchout ye mydward of ye blak sett, ane zello spraing." Join the clan by purchasing a plot of land and continue our mission to conserve Scotland, one square foot at a time™! 545: distinctive clan pipe music. Yet clans loyal to the government used similar tactics. The Highland Clans. Beyond the clan connections, the origins of other Scottish surnames are varied, but equally fascinating. The practice of reiving involved stealing livestock from neighbouring clans in the form of a raid. Alphabetical list of Scottish names associated with clans and families This list is kindly provided by George Way of Plean who was at the time secretary to the Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs . The authenticity of Scottish clan badges and crests has been called into debate, and many suggest they are perhaps more a remnant of Victorian romanticism, rather than rooted in historical fact. This was followed by the notorious Highland Clearances and bitter disputes over land ownership, during which any final traces of Highland clans were forced on mass to the sea coast, the Lowlands or abroad. It wasn’t always plain sailing though. The clan history of Scotland is fascinating and both colourful and bloody in equal measure, so read on to find out more information. 351: the tartan. BRODIE * * * * From the Gaelic 'Brothach' and one of the original tribes of Moray. References. Scotland is world famous for its clan system, which has its origins in a network of families who were loyal to a clan chief, often meeting at gatherings - which became the precursor of today's Highland Gatherings and Highland Games. History of Scotland. This category has the following 9 subcategories, out of 9 total. Clans were a community with a sense of belonging to their corner of Scotland and an attachment to the land that they swore to protect. A Scottish clan is a kinship group among the Scottish people. 5 talking about this. If you ask someone what springs to mind when you mention Scotland, they are likely to list the stunning scenery, castles, shortbread, whisky and tartan.Many people would also talk of the Scottish clans, often mentioning an ancestor who left Scotland during the Highland Clearances, or perhaps sought adventure in America, Canada, or Australia. It is believed clans started to emerge in Scotland around 1100AD and were originally the descendants of kings – if not of demigods from Irish mythology. Why not stay in a castle, a lighthouse or on a working farm? Highland clans, Scottish royalty Scotland Another "royal" tartan of the House of Stuart/Stewart. Unsurprisingly, the heavyweight clans the MacDonalds and the Campbells presided over large swathes of the Highlands, while in the south the Stewart, Douglas, and Murray clans found their home. From ancient origins in the Celtic, Norse or Norman-French traditions, by the 13th century, the clans had grown firm roots in the Highlands of Scotland. the septs of the highland clans. Opponents of the Jacobites emphasized the brutality of the recruitment process. Coventry, Martin (2001) The Castles of Scotland, 3rd Ed. Check out our 21 clan profiles and trip planner itineraries, and discover some of Scotland's best known clans and family names, and where you can visit and experience life like your ancestors. While the Scottish clan system may exist no longer, it’s undeniable that Scots and those of Scottish heritage across the world continue to look upon Scotland as the treasured land of their people. This history is taken from the "History of the Scottish Highlands, Highland Clans and Scottish Regiments" mostly compiled around 1830 with some updates done in the late 1870's. Most of a clansman’s time would be spent farming, tending to livestock or fields. The violence meted out by Highland clans reached epic proportions as honour, power and territory were pursued and defended in equal, often barbaric, measure. The crest would normally include the clan’s slogan, as well as a heraldic crest with a strap and buckle, and could only be worn with permission of the clan chief. From castles and monuments to bloody battles, alliances and ancestral lands, each clan has its own unique history. This category has the following 9 subcategories, out of 9 total. Few aspects of Scotland’s fascinating history were as colourful, or as bloody, as the clan system. Life in a Scottish clan may have sounded dramatic, but what was a day in the life of a clansman really like? Read more. Anyone who lived on the clan’s estate had to pay their dues, and the payments were collected by the tacksmen, which were then passed on to the clan nobility. Feeding the family would be the number one priority, as well as keeping an eye on crops. In addition to the clan chief, the clan nobility and leading gentry were individuals with responsibilities and influence within the clan system. A Scottish database of All major clans with color pictures of each Clan, their description, motto and translation. London: Barrie & Rockliff, 1967. This study is conducted through the lens of clan conflict from the fourteenth through the sixteenth centuries. The Clans of the Scottish Highlands The Costumes of the Clans - R R McIan and text by James Logan. For example, certain people in the leading gentry were responsible for bringing up the children of the clan. The Highland clans of Scotland are famous, the names celebrated, and the deeds heroic. All rights reserved. The word "clann" comes from the Gaelic and means children, and its members claimed kinship from the common ancestor whose name they bore, and even the poorest clansman considered themselves of nobler birth than any southerner. ** You will be addressed by your choice of Laird, Lord or Lady by us and within our 200,000+ strong community. Here's a list of the Highland clans in alphabetical order, with their clan mottoes. This is for enjoyment purposes only. A collective voice for the Highland Clans/ Na fineachan Gàidhealach The most important clan chiefs at this time were part-kings, part-protectorates and part-judges and they held real power over their controlled lands. Iconic Ben Nevis needs to be top of your Scottish to-do list. There is no doubt that the threat of violence was responsible for ‘forcing’ some but by no means all men into service. This website is managed by Highland Titles OU. Most of this paving was removed in the mid-1980s but one area had been left in front of one of the ‘Mixed Clans’ stones. An ancient Clan with Brodie Castle at Forres being the uninterrupted seat of Brodie of Brodie. The clan system of Scotland has ancient origins in the Celtic, Norman-French and Norse traditions, and can be traced back to a time when people lived off the land, and border disputes were a common occurrence. The Resource A history of the Highlands and of the Highland clans, by James Browne ; illustrated by a series of portraits and other illustrative engravings A history of the Highlands and of the Highland clans, by James Browne ; illustrated by a series of portraits and other illustrative engravings Similarly, a clan badge was used as a form of identification and a sign of allegiance to a specific clan leader. The story of the Highland clans is a gripping one, full of celebrated names and heroic deeds. Unsurprisingly, the heavyweight clans the MacDonalds and the Campbells presided over large swathes of the Highlands, while in the south the Stewart, Douglas, and Murray clans found their home. Read reviews from world’s largest community for readers. Should you not find your name in here then it is either a sept of one of the official clans or else it is not recognised as being an official clan. In what today might be considered ethnic cleansing, the ruling King of England ordered all supporters of the Jacobite cause be slaughtered, including many of the clans that populated the Scottish Highlands. MORE: Clan battlefield map. Helpful. Moncreiffe of that Ilk, Iain. Alike historical clans, our community also share the investment and attachment to the land, our Nature Reserves, and we even have our own tartan and crest.Join the clan by purchasing a plot of land and continue our mission to conserve Scotland, one square foot at a time™! The clans were the main political system in Scotland until the time of the battle of Culloden in 1746, when the Jacobite rebellion was crushed by the royal troops of King George II. Reiving was also a common part of life for clans in the Lowlands, such as Clan Armstrong near the Borders. Change your preferences at Cookies are required to view this content. List. The Gaelic connection can be seen in names such as Craig (from the Gaelic creag, which means crag or rocks) and Cameron (from cam and sròn (camshròin: crooked nose). With the help of Alastair, our knowledgeable and charming tour guide, the Outlander book characters came to life before us in the castle ruins, heather covered moorland, and Edinburgh pubs. Land was passed on through heritable succession – when one clan chief died it was passed on to the next male in line. This is a list of Official Clans and Families registered by the Court of the Lord Lyon. And, of course, there was the ever-looming threat of inter-clan feuds, as well as warring with the Irish Gaels and the English Tudor monarchy. To ensure that one of these events is integrated into your holiday plans, just drop us an email at info@clansandcastles.com. The clans are listed in the usual way: clans with a chief first, followed by the armigerous clans. The constant battle for land and resources, like livestock, between clans was often ferocious. Clan grave marker at the site of Battle of Culloden. Undisputably the largest of all the Highland clans, the clan was dominant in the western coasts of Scotland for many centuries leading up to the eventual end of the clan system in 1746. There are also endless variations of Scottish surnames and the list below is neither comprehensive nor definitive but is intended solely as a guide to the possible connections a name may have to a recognised clan or family featured in detail elsewhere. So, Highland Titles, can be considered a modern clan. Or names could derive from where people lived - ie. The History of Clans. If you ask someone what springs to mind when you mention Scotland, they are likely to list the stunning scenery, castles, shortbread, whisky and tartan.Many people would also talk of the Scottish clans, often mentioning an ancestor who left Scotland during the Highland Clearances, or perhaps sought adventure in America, Canada, or Australia. Highland Titles: A Very Modern Clan. Subcategories. In addition to the leading gentry, there were the clan warrior elite, or the ‘fine’ as they were called. by James Browne available in Trade Paperback on Powells.com, also rea https://www.visitscotland.com › see-do › research-your-ancestry › clans There is no doubt that the threat of violence was responsible for ‘forcing’ some but by no means all men into service. But by no means all men into service of Moray our 200,000+ strong community ruled their lands the! 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