Scottish clans
The
Scottish clan system owes much to the ancient
Celtic and
Norse settlers in the northern parts of
Scotland and, as part of the
Gaelic tribal culture, was well established in the
Highlands by as early as the
13th century.
The word
clann in Gaelic means
family or
children. Each clan was a large group of geographically-related people, originally an extended family, supposedly descended from one progenitor, and all owing allegiance to the patriarchal clan chief. It also included a large group of loosely-related
septs – related families or outside groups, all of whom looked to the clan chief as their head – and for their protection.
All land was owned by the chiefs, some of the most powerful of whom held large swathes of the Highlands and had autonomy over matters of law and order within their territory. In return for clansmen's loyalty and allegiance in battle or conflict with other clans, the chief would give his protection and local justice.
The clan system survived more or less intact until the dismantling of the clans following the
Battle of Culloden in
1746. The English imposed upon the Scottish clans severe restrictions on their ability to bear arms, traditional dress, culture and even music, in an attempt to curtail their power.
The revival of interest in the clans is due in no small part to the writings of
Sir Walter Scott (
1771-
1832), as well as to the visit of King
George IV to
Edinburgh in
1822, both of which contributed to a reawakening of Scottish culture and pride.
However, the romantic notion of Scottish tartans and the clans from which they are supposed to derive owes much more to this nineteenth century revival than to the historic clans. In truth, the plaid worn by Highland
Scots was nothing like the so-called traditional tartans which are claimed to represent the clans today. And the wearing of the
kilt, so beloved of Scotophiles the world over, is a relatively recent innovation.
A list
A partial list of the major clans of the Scottish Highlands:\n
Recently, one Steven Akins of the state of
Alabama (one of the
United States of America) has claimed to be Chief of a so-called "
Clan Akins". His claims are partially examined
here.
See also
\n* WikiProject Clans of Scotland\n* Highland Clearances\n*
Border country\n*
History of Scotland\n*
UK topics\n*
Mac
Category:Kinship and descent\nCategory:Scotland
