Scottish Clans

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 Clans Website Check out a list of resources for studying the Scottish clans!

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 enjoy it to. University of Strathclyde Course on the Highland Clans Scottish Clans YouTube Channel Scottish Clans Website Contribute to the Cause Here! Get yourself a kilt and other cool Scottish stuff!

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 on Amazon (links below)!  They're pretty reasonably priced.  This podcast is also available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and a video version is on YouTube. Books:  Scotland: The Global History Culloden: Great Battles The Myth of the Jacobite Clans Celtic Identity and the British Image Jacobitism Scottish Clans YouTube channel Contribute to the Cause! Scottish Clans Website Sponsor:  www.usakilts.com

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 Course:  Origins of the Scottish Clans 101 Scottish Clans YouTube Channel Sponsor:  www.usakilts.com

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 Scottish Clans Website Sponsor: USA Kilts

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 Scottish Clans Scottish Clans Website My Sponsor: USA Kilts

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 channel Sponsor:  USA Kilts Contribute to the cause!

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 Sponsor:  USA Kilts Contribute to the cause!

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 website: www.scottish-clans.com My sponsor's website:  www.usakilts.com Contribute to the team: www.scottish-clans.com/team My YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVefgJWXdhFbq_MwPFTWe2w

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 were Highlanders!  Join me as I examine which clans likely participated in this (this is in no way an exhaustive list).   Source: Roberts, John L., Clan, King and Covenant: History of the Highland Clans from the Civil War to the Glencoe Massacre on Amazon here. The Scottish Clans YouTube Channel Online course on the Origins of the Scottish Clans!  Contribute to the Cause! My Sponsor: USA Kilts!

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: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVefgJWXdhFbq_MwPFTWe2w Sponsor:  www.usakilts.com Online course on the Origins of the Scottish Clans!  www.scottish-clans.com/origins Contribute to the cause:  www.scottish-clans.com/team

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 also available on: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5dIBeGaqEg2cbbS3uPXZqM?si=abb55a1246ce4360 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-scottish-clans-podcast/id1434619462  My website: https://www.scottish-clans.com  Online Course on the origins of the Scottish clans: https://www.scottish-clans.com/origins  Contribute to the Cause: https://www.scottish-clans.com/team  Youtube channel:  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVefgJWXdhFbq_MwPFTWe2w  My Sponsor:  www.usakilts.com

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 of his work with Phillip here: https://www.youtube.com/@IrishMedievalHistory My YouTube channel! https://www.youtube.com/@thescottishclans  My Sponsor:  www.usakilts.com  An online course for the Origins of the Scottish Clans: www.scottish-clans.com/origins  You can contribute to the cause here: www.scottish-clans.com/team  My episode on the MacSweeneys: https://scottishclans.podbean.com/?s=macsweeney

This is a continuation of a discussion I had with Mike Doyle of the Clans and Dynasties youtube channel.  In this episode, we discuss: The need to trace your ancestry to a specific location to know what clan you might tie into, and not just go off of the last name. The Northern Ireland element.  Did all Scottish names in Ulster come from Scotland? Sources that we use for study, like named.publicprofiler.org, https://www.johngrenham.com/, and Wikipedia! Clans and Dynasties on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Clans_Dynasties  Mike also has content on https://www.youtube.com/@IrishMedievalHistory  Scottish Clans on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thescottishclans.  Scottish Clans website: www.scottish-clans.com My Sponsor: www.usakilts.com

This is a continuation of a discussion I had with Mike Doyle of the Clans and Dynasties YouTube channel.  In this episode, we discuss: The Gall-Gaedheil. The Galloglass, their origins and cultural identities. Specific Galloglass clans, like MacDonald, MacDougall, MacKay (MacCoy), and MacCabe. Clans and Dynasties: https://www.youtube.com/@Clans_Dynasties Mike's content on Irish Medieval History: https://www.youtube.com/@IrishMedievalHistory My YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@thescottishclans My website:  www.scottish-clans.com My sponsor:   www.usakilts.com

I hope you enjoy this continuation of my discussion with Mike Doyle, from the Clans and Dynasties YouTube channel.  We discussed such topics as: The Ethnic foundations of the Scottish clans How much do the Scottish clans owe to Ireland vs other groups like the Picts, Britons, Angles, etc.? Where does Scotland derive its Gaelic language from?  Was it brought from Ireland or is it organic? How far back does Scotland’s connection with Ireland go? Join us for a great discussion on the foundations of the Scottish clans! Sponsor: usakilts.com For more content: www.scottish-clans.com Clans and Dynasties on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Clans_Dynasties  Mike's work with Phillip on Irish Medieval History: https://www.youtube.com/@IrishMedievalHistory  The Scottish Clans YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@thescottishclans

I'm excited to share with you the first part of my discussion with Mike Doyle from the Clans and Dynasties YouTube channel!  He brings a great value to the Scottish Clans audience.  He has a solid understanding of the history of the Scottish clans but he also has a great depth of knowledge of the Irish clans.  His YouTube content involves history regarding clans from both lands.  Please join us for this conversation!  We cover: The age of Irish clans vs Scottish clans What was a clan? Succession among the clans: Primogeniture vs Tanistry The messiness of history! Watch for the next episode soon, as Mike and I continue the conversation. Mike's Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Clans_Dynasties Mike's video on which clans may have fought at Bannockburn:        https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rMYFRhRuzoo&t=217s Mike's work with Phillip: https://www.youtube.com/@IrishMedievalHistory My webpage:  www.scottish-clans.com Contribute to the cause!  www.scottish-clans.com/team My online course on the origin of the Scottish clans: www.scottish-clans.com/origins

There are so many misconceptions, misunderstandings, and straight up myths regarding the Scottish clans.  For this episode I'm taking comments from Scottish scholar, Prof. Murray Pittock, who teaches at the University of Glasgow.  These comments come from an interview he did on the History Extra Podcast.  Get ready to have some of your current understandings assaulted! Is this content valuable?  You can contribute easily by pitching in the price of a drink at www.scottish-clans.com/team. Want to take your understanding of the Scottish Clans to the next level?  Check out The Origins of the Scottish Clans 101 at www.scottish-clans.com/origins.   Tartan Finder: https://www.lochcarron.co.uk/tartan-finder Link to History Extra Podcast w/ Murray Pittock: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/scottish-clans-everything-you-wanted-to-know/id256580326?i=1000555926450

Through thick and thin, the MacRaes were there for the Mackenzies.  In this episode I discuss what it might have meant that the MacRaes were "Mackenzie's Shirt of Mail."  I share one example of this from the battle known as Blar na Pairce. Sources:   https://archive.org/details/historyofclanmac00macr for a pdf download https://electricscotland.com/webclans/m/macrae2.html My website, where you can find links to: More resources My online course-Origin of the Scottish Clans 101 A place to contribute to the effort Sponsor: www.usakilts.com

I read this story and had to share it with you.  It's a story of a man's love for a woman, but it's not romantic.  It's two brothers taking care of their sister in a heroic way.  Having a sister myself, I love it! Contribute to the Cause! www.scottish-clans.com/team Sponsor: www.usakilts.com Podcast website with other resources: www.scottish-clans.com

This is the second part of my discussion with Prof. Ali Cathcart, of the University of Stirling.  If you want to know more about the Scottish clans, then this is a must.   Sponsor:  www.usakilts.com My website: www.scottish-clans.com.  You will find links to: my online course on the origins of the Scottish clans. Where you can contribute to the cause. free resources, like maps, historical documents, and a copy of my MA Thesis comparing Highland and Border Clans. Ali's bio on the University of Stirling website: https://www.stir.ac.uk/people/1403494.

I'm excited to share with you my conversation with Ali Cathcart!  We covered such topics as: The Highland/Lowland divide (did clans exist in the Lowlands?), Variety among the Highland clans, information on specific clans like the Mackintoshes, Gordons, MacPhersons, and more!  Enjoy Prof. Cathcart's wealth of knowledge in helping us understand the Scottish clans better. Clan Conclave Dinner: https://clanconclave.eventbrite.com   Podcast website where you can find links too free resources, my online course on the origins of the Scottish clans, where you can contribute to the cause, and more:  www.scottish-clans.com  Sponsor: www.usakilts.com

For the last episode in this mini-series, I take a look at a few more clans and their claim to have fought at Bannockburn.  Did these clans even exist at the time?  Is it plausible, if they weren't yet a clan, that their ancestors were still there, stomping the English alongside Robert the Bruce and his allies? This episode was inspired by a video by Clans and Dynasties on Youtube, which can be viewed at the following link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rMYFRhRuzoo.  Check out the following link for a cool, upcoming event in Pleasant Grove, Utah: https://clanconclave.eventbrite.com My Sponsor-USA Kilts: www.usakilts.com.  Contribute to the cause!  www.scottish-clans.com/team  Online course- Origins of the Scottish Clans 101 at www.scottish-clans.com/origins.

This episode is part 2 of 3 as I go over additional claims of clans that claim to have fought at Bannockburn.  Were they even in existence long enough for this claim to be true?  Part 3 will be delayed as the next episode I publish will be my interview with Professor Ali Cathcart who teaches at the University of Stirling.  I hope you enjoy this episode, which is also available on Apple Podcasts.   Scottish Clans website:  www.scottish-clans.com Want to contribute to the cause by contributing the cost of an energy drink or a book?  www.scottish-clans.com/team. Check out my online course on the origins of the Scottish Clans!!!!  www.scottish-clans.com/origins Sponsor:  www.usakilts.com

Many clans claim to have fought at the Battle of Bannockburn on 23-24 June, 1314.  This battle happened at an interesting time for the clans as we would recognize them.  Some of them had taken shape by this point and some hadn't.  My goal here is not to proclaim whether they were definitively there or not.  Rather, I look at scholarly sources and the accounts as given by the clans themselves or their origins to see whether they were even developed as clans by the this decisive battle or not.  I sampled 15 clans.  Did yours make the list?  Were they even there?   Podcast website: Scottish-clans.com Contribute to the cause: Scottish-clans.com/team Check out my new online course-Origins of the Scottish Clans 101: Scottish-clans.com/origins Sponsor: usakilts.com For free resources:  Scottish-clans.com/resources

This second part of the MacNeil episodes is taken from a book called "Highlanders: A History of the Scottish Gaels," by John MacLeod.  It focuses on the MacNeils of Barra and their piratical activities.  I hope you enjoy!  Check out the links below for more great content! Podcast website:  www.scottish-clans.com New online course on the origins of the Scottish clans: www.scottish-clans.com/origins.  Buy me a drink or a book!  www.scottish-clans.com/team.  Sponsor: www.usakilts.com  Youtube channel: www.youtube.com/@thescottishclans.

This clan only has one chief: Macneil of Barra.  Should there be another?  This and more on the MacNeils in this episode.  Make sure to check out the next episode, a part 2 on the MacNeils, which is already available.  Check out the links below for more great content! Online course on the origins of the Scottish Clans: www.scottish-clans.com/origins.  Podcast website: www.scottish-clans.com Would you like to buy me a drink?  Or a book?  www.scottish-clans.com/team.  Sponsor: www.usakilts.com  Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@thescottishclans

Highland clan origin legends were not intended to convey absolute truth to later generations about how the clan started.  Well, then what were they intended for?  For this episode, I share from a book by Michael Newton, The Everyday Life of the Clans of the Scottish Highlands.  We start by learning about some of the purposes of these legends generally, then read the origin legends of two clans: the Macintyres and MacRaes.   Check out my YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVefgJWXdhFbq_MwPFTWe2w Check out my website: www.scottish-clans.com For free study material: www.scottish-clans.com/resources  Check out my sponsor: www.usakilts.com  Here's the book I read from in this episode on Amazon:  https://www.amazon.com/Everyday-Life-Clans-Scottish-Highlands/dp/0971385823/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1688008630&sr=8-1

It's time to show some love for those of you who have taken the effort to submit comments, questions, food for thought, etc.  I'm so grateful for those of you who have done that and hope that today's episode will inspire more of you to comment, submit reviews and share this podcast with your friends.  Sit back and enjoy a conversation on the Scottish Clans that is generated by the thoughts of your fellow listeners.

I could have labeled this episode "Clan Alliances: the Scotts and the Armstrongs".  William Armstrong is wrongly imprisoned and Walter Scott is taking matters into his own hands.  Join me for one of the coolest stories in Scottish history.

Here's a look at Clan Donnchaidh, aka Robertson of Struan.  What are their origins?  Why do they have two names?  What were some of their defining features?  Join me for a short look at a powerful kindred from the central Highlands.

We're going to a place in Scotland that is often overshadowed by more popular regions.  I'm talking about Galloway, and the Gaelic clans that held sway there.  Some of these kindreds are easily identified as having Gaelic roots by their names.  Others may surprise you how Gaelic they were, despite their Norman names.  Thanks again for listening to the Scottish Clans podcast.

Two major clans of southeast Scotland descend from the same man, Gospatrick.  This man was a composite of three of the dominant ethnic groups of southern Scotland and northern England: the Scots of Alba, the Britons of Strathclyde, and the Angles of Northumbria.  He would become the Earl of Dunbar and from him descend two related clans of southeast Scotland: the Dunbars and the Homes.

The MacLeods of Lewis (Siol Thorcaill) were among the most powerful of the Hebridean clans, controlling most of the land around the North Minch, a body of water rich in its fisheries.  They were also unfailingly loyal to the MacDonalds, Lords of the Isles.  And then in the 1600's they ceased to function as a cohesive force.  Learn more of the story and questions to pursue on the subject in this episode.

I'm back!  I had a great adventure in Palau but I'm excited to get back in the saddle and ride into the world of the Scottish Clans.  In this episode I'm picking back up the subject of this group of seven clans that all claim descent from Alpin, father of Kenneth mac Alpin.

The Siol Alpin (seed, or descendants of Alpin) were a group of seven clans that all claimed descent from Alpin, who was the father of Kenneth Mac Alpin, the first king of the combined Scots and Picts.  Or was he?  And were they?  I discuss this idea and take a short look at the individual clans that made up this group: Grant, MacGregor, MacFie, MacQuarrie, MacNab, MacKinnon and MacAulay.

For a wild story about a fight between the MacNabs and MacNeishes as well as a brief discussion about the origins of the Grants, join me on this episode.  This will be a lead-in to a future episode about the Siol Alpin, or those clans claiming descend from Alpin, father of Kenneth, King of the Picts.

For a long time now, the Stewarts and their many branches have been tangled in my mind.  In this episode, I share what I have learned as I have sought to straighten out how these branches are related to each other, where they split off, and their individual character.  Thanks for listening!  Also, this is available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Did you ever wonder why the O' prefix rarely occurs with indigenous Scottish names?  In episode 28 I relate what I have found about the origin of the O' and Mac prefixes and why there's not as many of them in Scotland, as opposed to Ireland, where they are much more common.

This is the first in a series of episodes on clan clusters.  What clans made up the confederation known as Clan Chattan?  How did the confederation come to be?  How were these clans connected?  Join me as I discuss this major Highland group.

Wrapping up the series on the Gallowglass, I discuss three more kindreds who operated as Gallowglass, one that you would expect and two that you wouldn't.

In the last episode we did an introduction to the Galloglass.  In this episode we discuss SOME of the prominent Galloglass kindreds, specifically the MacDonnells, MacDougalls (MacDowells), MacRorys, MacCabes, MacSheehys and MacCoys.  In the next episode we'll introduce some clans that are well-known but not as Galloglass. This is also available on iTunes and Spotify. Hope you enjoy! facebook.com/clansofscotland

The Gallowglass were some of the most fearsome fighters of their day.  Hailing from the Western Highlands and Isles, these clans of mixed Gaelic and Scandinavian descent provided the Lords and Chieftains of Ireland with elite infantry that became famous in western Europe for their prowess on the battlefield.

Our first visit to Ayrshire in this podcast, I relate the main events of the Montgomery vs. Cunningham feud.  This feud was inextricably entwined with the dynastic struggles and the religious conflicts of their nation.

In this second part of the series on the structure of a clan, I discuss what the membership of a clan would look like.  Did everyone who rallied to the chief's call bear the same surname?  Were they related to the chief in any way?  Check out this episode to see what I've read on this subject.

This episode is mostly in response to listener engagement and feedback.  Thanks to those of you who have pursued the conversation!  Your comments have been interesting and insightful.  I also added a little storytelling at the end.  Here's to the Border Reivers!

This is the first in a series where I discuss how a clan was put together.  This episode focuses on the chief and his retinue, to include: the military commander, the poet/historian, piper/harpist, and the physician.

This episode doesn't cover the whole length of the feud between these two prominent Scottish kindreds.  Rather, it relates the conflicts that happened in 1572 as related by Alexander MacGregor in "The Feuds of the Clans", published in 1907.  I might add that it seems like MacGregor's account is biased toward the Gordons.  Sorry.  Forbes, do you have any other sources for this time period?  Share them in the comments.

When John Campbell of GlenOrchy takes possession of lands in Caithness, the title of Earl of Caithness, and George Sinclair's widow as payment for the debt Sinclair owed him, George Sinclair of Keiss isn't having it.  That's his inheritance and he won't take this intrusion laying down.

Today we flesh out the histories of the MacFarlane and MacGregor clans in the first of a series on alliances.  These two clans shared more than neighboring territory across Loch Lomond.  They stirred up trouble together and fought through thick and thin. I also highlight a website that displays the current geographical distribution of surnames within the UK.  Here's the link: named.publicprofiler.org Here's Michael Newton's website which will give you access to a lot of his fine work on the Highlands and Gaelic history.  I have this link also on the Scottish Clans facebook page: https://virtualgael.wordpress.com/. The MacFarlane source I used the most can be found here: https://archive.org/stream/historyofclanmac00macf/historyofclanmac00macf_djvu.txt.  I believe from here you can download the pdf. Here's where you can download the pdf of Dr. MacGregor's PhD thesis.  https://www.era.lib.ed.ac.uk/handle/1842/6887

In the service of his king, General Wade spent time in the Highlands, taking notes on aspects of Highland culture that would be militarily relevant.  His report on this experience offers interesting insight into the culture of the clans, such as clan structure and cattle stealing. https://www.electricscotland.com/webclans/geog/chapter8.htm named.publicprofiler.org facebook.com/clansofscotland

I've been working on a couple projects surveying the origins of the Scottish clans, as well as those in Ireland.  In doing so, I have seen certain trends that are worth mentioning.  Where do the oldest clans (in a form we would recognize today) come from?  How far do they go back?  Check out this episode to see what I've learned.

A jealous abduction, a heartbroken suicide, and a fatal loophole; the Gunn vs. Keith feud has all the elements of a blockbuster movie.

The Borders Reivers are not what you imagine when you think of Scottish icons.  They weren't kilted light infantry swinging claymores, charging into battle to the sound of the Highland pipes.  But their history is not less colorful, nor their stories any less exciting than their northern countrymen.  Join me as I discuss these raiding, feuding, daring Borderers and tell the tale of the Battle of Dryfe Sands!

One of the bloodiest battles in Scottish history, Harlaw involved a multitude of clans and pitted the men of the western Highlands and Isles against the men of northeast Scotland.  Included in this campaign was the Battle of Dingwall, near Inverness, where the men of the Mackenzie, Mackay, Fraser, and Dingwall clans tried, unsuccessfully, to check the advance of the Lord of the Isles and his men.  Hope you enjoy.

Somerled, the founder of the Lordship of the Isles...or was he?  In this episode, I discuss some of the things I have found through reading "Kinship, Church and Culture".  Where did the Lordship of the Isles have its beginning?  This is a huge topic for those of you with MacDonald, MacDougall or MacRory ancestry.  I also discuss the connection between the MacRorys and the MacDonnells of Clan Ranald.

There is a difference in the way Highland clans and Lowland clans are presented in many of our clan sources.  This leads us to wonder how similar they really were.  Were the Lowland clans really more like English aristocratic families (with the exception of the Border clans, who are portrayed more like the Highland clans)?  I found some answers and look forward to sharing my research with you.

This episode is meant to help those of you who want to do some of your own research on the clans of Scotland.  There is a discrepancy between what is available on a general internet search and what the scholarly community has accomplished.  As long as we know what we're getting into, we can handle some of these flaws in the sources.

This has got to be one of the most exciting stories in Highland history.  Feuds, ambushes, sieges, plotting.  This story needs to become either a bestselling novel or a blockbuster hit.  The Stewarts of Appin are in the center of the story, with John, Lord of Lorn, trying to pass on his inheritance to an illegitimate son, Dugald, if he can live long enough to do it. Also, there is some information on the MacFarlanes, who play an antagonistic role.  Below are some links.  The first is to Electric Scotland, which was the source I read the story from.  Follow more links at the bottom of that webpage for more study. https://www.electricscotland.com/webclans/stoz/appin_stewarts.htm

The Cameron vs Mackintosh feud is one of the most infamous and long-lasting feuds in Scottish history.  Who won?  Well, that depends on what perspective you take.  Which clan won the most battles that we have record of?  Which clan was in better shape when the feud ended?  Which clan achieved their objective?  These are the questions we seek to answer in this episode. Here is a link to the Scottish Clans facebook page: facebook.com/clansofscotland or fb.me/clansofscotland.  To message me, follow this link: m.me/clansofscotland.   Use the Facebook page to continue this conversation. Here are some links to the sourced I used for this episode. http://www.clan-cameron.org/battles/1570.html http://www.clan-cameron.org/battles/1665.html http://www.clan-cameron.org/battles.html https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stand-off_at_the_Fords_of_Arkaig

When someone wants to learn more about the Scottish clans, or about a specific clan, where do they go?  On an internet search, which websites pop up at the top of the list?  I look into this subject, describing and critiquing these sources.  What's your primary source to learn about the clans?  Find the Scottish Clans Facebook page and let me know there.

In all our discussion of Gaels, Britons, Angles, and Picts, let's not leave out the Norse and Normans, who founded many Scottish kindreds.  Remember that the Normans were originally Scandinavians who were invited by the king of France to settle in northern France (modern Normandy) to serve as buffers against further Viking attacks.  They integrated into French society, married local girls, and adopted the language.   Some clans that have Norse origins are MacAskill, MacAulay, McCorquodale, McCotter, MacIver, McKittrick, Gunn, and MacLeod.  Let's not leave out a group of kindreds that don't necessarily have a Norse name but do, in fact, descend, at least partially from the Norse.  I'm talking about those descended from Somerled: MacRory, MacDougall, and MacDonald.   The Normans were introduced to Scotland much less violently than the Norse (and even much less violent than their own arrival in England).  They were invited, many of them by David I.  Some of the kindreds that were founded by a Norman include Bruce, Comyn, Montgomery, Fraser, Grant, Murray, Sutherland, Crawford, Hay, Hunter, Innes, Jardine, Kerr, Menzies, Ramsay, Sinclair, and Stewart. A short not on a few of these kindreds.  Although the Murrays and Sutherlands are usually included in a list of Norman clans, they claim descent from a Flemish knight named Freskin.  Also, the Stewarts are descended from a Breton family who moved into England with the Normans. #Scotland, #Scottish, #Vikings, #Clan,

In this episode, I discuss the other, non-Gaelic ethnic groups that, along with Dal Riata, were the foundation of Scotland.  Which clans claim descent from them?  In the southwest of Scotland, from around the Loch Lomond area down through Galloway were the Britons of Clyde Rock (later of Strathclyde).  In the eastern Lowlands, the Germanic Angles established themselves at the expense of the earlier Britons and Picts.  North of the Firth of Clyde/Forth line and east of Drumalban were the Picts, who spoke a language relating to the Britons.   There was so much mixing that we shouldn't get too caught up with the concept of someone being a pure Picts or Gael, Briton or Angle since there wasn't such a thing, at least not concerning their ancestry.  A quick look at a list of any clan's chiefs and who they married will dispell the idea of purity.  The language issue would have been a different story, but that was fluid over time.  With that said, it is interesting to know the origins of clans and what their ethnic background was.  That's the reason behind this episode.  As I looked into the origins of individual clans, unless I could clearly see that there was a Norman or Viking ancestor, I assumed an origin corresponding with the original ethnic group dominant in that particular region of Scotland. British clans might include Wallace, Muir, Cathcart, Cunningham, Douglas (unless the claim of descent from Freskin is accurate), Carmichael, Carruthers, Scott, Johnstone, Armstrong. Clans with a possible Angle origin are Lockhart, Gordon (maybe), Rutherford, Nesbitt, Turnbull, Home, and Dunbar. Clans who may descend from the Picts include Forbes, Sempill, MacDuff (and by virtue of the MacDuffs: MacIntosh, Shaw of Rothiemurchus, Farquharson, MacThomas, Wemyss and Scrymgour), MacNaughten, Brodie, Eliot, and Ogilvy.

Here we take a look back to the first Gaelic kingdom in Scotland and their tribal origins.  I discuss the leading kindreds of Dal Riata: Cenel nGabrain, Cenel Loairn, Cenel nOengusa, and Cenel Comgaill.  How do the clans of Scotland that we are familiar with tie back to these tribes?  Is it from these kindreds that Scotland was to inherit their kin-based society? Dal Riata occupied the territory that today is called Argyll, Lorne, and the Inner Hebrides.  Their kings were centered on Dunadd.  Their kin-based society may have been the source for that characteristic in the later kingdom of Scotland.  The Vikings were probably the cause of the end of this kingdom.  Rather than just give up, the leading kindreds of Dal Riata moved east.  They had already intermarried with the Pictish royal families.  This combined lineage produced the kings of the kingdom of Alba.  The MacDuffs claim descent from this fusion of royal houses.  Clans that claim descent from the MacDuffs include several from Clan Chattan (Macintosh, MacThomas, Shaw of Rothiemurchus, and Farquharson), Wemyss, and Scrymgour.

In this episode, I tell you who I am and where I come from.

Welcome to the Scottish Clans podcast!  In this episode, we discuss the topic of Scottish Clans in general, including why this podcast is necessary.

In this episode, Ethan gets more specific with how the study of DNA helps us understand the history of specific clans, their origins (both in support and in denial of some legends), and their relationships to each other.  Among the clans we discussed were Clan Sorley (MacDonalds, MacRorys, and MacDougals), Sìol Ailpein (Grants, MacGregors, MacKinnons, MacAulays, Madfies, Macnabs, MacQuarries), MacNeils, Robertsons, Dunbars, Bruces, Stewarts, MacBeans, MacPhersons, Buchanans, and MacLarens.  I really hope you all love this as much as I did.  Check out the links below for more information. If you find this to be valuable, you can buy me a drink or a book at www.scottish-clans.com/team.  Sponsor: www.usakilts.com 1. "The Genetic Structure of a Highland Clan" by Bryan Sykes and Jayne Nicholson: https://electricscotland.com/history/articles/geneticstructureofahighlandclan.pdf 2. Stewart S781 Article: https://www.scotsman.com/news/opinion/columnists/so-are-you-among-the-thousands-of-scots-with-royal-blood-1489854 3. MacNeil Article: https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/13197315.macneil-clan-shocked-dna-checks-force-rewrite-history/

I'm excited to share with you all a milestone in this podcast's history.  Ethan Hunt joins us to teach us how the DNA helps us understand the history of the Scottish clans.  This is the first interview that I have run (USA Kilts ran the only other interview I've done for this)!  Expect to see more of these in the future.  In this Part 1 episode, Ethan gives us a foundation in genetics.  Don't worry, we weaved in the topic of the clans throughout, so it's not JUST a discussion on DNA.  I hope you enjoy this.  I sure did.  For more information on some of the things we discussed, check out the links below!   If you enjoy this, buy me a drink!  Or a book!  www.scottish-clans.com/team  Sponsor: www.usakilts.com 1. "The Genetic Structure of a Highland Clan" by Bryan Sykes and Jayne Nicholson: https://electricscotland.com/history/articles/geneticstructureofahighlandclan.pdf 2. Stewart S781 Article: https://www.scotsman.com/news/opinion/columnists/so-are-you-among-the-thousands-of-scots-with-royal-blood-1489854 3. MacNeil Article: https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/13197315.macneil-clan-shocked-dna-checks-force-rewrite-history/

Between last episode, setting the foundation, and this episode, this is the first time we've been to the Northern Isles (in this case Orkney) since I started this podcast!  It's always fun to try new things.  You know what's not fun, Sinclairs fighting Sinclairs and a mother accidentally killing her son.  In these respects, the Battle of Summerdale was truly a tragic event. Source for this story: http://www.orkneyjar.com/history/summerdale.htm  Check out the website: www.scottish-clans.com Buy me a drink!  www.scottish-clans.com/team Sponsor: www.usakilts.com

Let's get to know a little bit about the Sinclairs and lay the foundation for the story of the Battle of Summerdale.  The Sinclairs are a really interesting clan that controlled a large territory in the far north of Scotland as the Earls of Caithness.  They had other branches of the family.  How did these branches interact with each other?  Were they a cohesive unit, who all acknowledged the same chief?   My website: www.scottish-clans.com Contribute to the cause:  www.scottish-clans.com/team Sponsor:  www.usakilts.com  Sinclair Pedigree starting with William, 3rd Earl of Orkney: https://www.maryqueenofscots.net/scottish-family-trees-in-the-16th-century/the-sinclairs-of-caithness-and-the-lords-sinclair/ Super deep dive into Sinclair origins: http://www.stclairresearch.com/content/Sinclair-Templar-Proof.html The Saint-Clairs of the Isles: https://archive.org/details/saintclairsofisl00sain  Genealogical History of the Earldom of Sutherland: https://archive.org/details/genealogicalhist00gord

This is the unbelievable backstory to a strong theory about why the MacLeod of Harris and Dunvegan and the MacDonalds of Sleat switched sides from being Jacobites in 1715 to raising troops for the British Government in 1745. My website: www.scottish-clans.com Do you want to contribute to the cause?  Go here: www.scottish-clans.com/team  My sponsor: www.usakilts.com

Last time we looked at the Frasers of Lovat and examined their reasons for fighting on different sides during the Jacobite Risings of 1715 and 1745.  That made me curious about other clans that switched sides in the same conflicts.  Here I list eleven clans that found themselves on one side during the 1715 Rising and another during the 1745 Rising.  Not meant to be exhaustive or deep, rather, this episode is only starting the conversation.  What clans did I leave out?  What do you know that you could add to the discussion? Website: www.scottish-clans.com Want to contribute?  www.scottish-clans.com/team Sponsor: www.usakilts.com

The Clan Fraser of Lovat sided with the Hanoverians in the 1715 Jacobite Rising but then sided with the Stewarts in 1745.  In this episode I explore why I believe they switched. If you like these podcasts and would like to contribute to the effort, go to www.scottish-clans.com/team.   My website: www.scottish-clans.com My sponsor: www.usakilts.com

A few episodes ago I shared some history on the professional kindreds.  Robert Currie, Commander of the Name and Arms of Currie, reached out to me with a small booklet about the MacMhuirich kindred, who were sponsored by the Lords of the Isles as bards.  Here's a few things I learned.  Thanks, Robert! Scottish Clans website - http://www.scottish-clans.com If you like what I'm doing and want to contribute to the cause - http://www.scottish-clans.com/team Sponsor - www.usakilts.com  The YouTube channel -https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVefgJWXdhFbq_MwPFTWe2w

It's alway nice when you can get the words of the Gaels themselves to describe their own culture.  Here, I use an excerpt from The Everyday Life of the Clans of the Scottish Highlands, by Michael Newton, where a MacLeod of Raasay woman composed a lament for her brother in 1671.  In it, she describes what he wore, which is enlightening but not what you'd expect. For a video about Michael Newton's book -    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4w__yMXJnBc&t=192s  To contribute to the cause! - www.scottish-clans.com/team Scottish Clans YouTube Channel -https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVefgJWXdhFbq_MwPFTWe2w  Website - www.scottish-clans.com Sponsor - www.usakilts.com

Was there a branch of Clan Cameron is Atholl?  Not according to Wikipedia;).  Here's some cool details on something Cameron found in his research.  My apologies to Cameron Moser, who was running the tent for Clan Cameron at the Scots on the Rocks festival in Moab, UT in October.  This is my interview with him.https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVefgJWXdhFbq_MwPFTWe2w scottish-clans.com scottish-clans.com/team scottish-clans.com/somerled usakilts.com

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-clans.com/somerled for the pdf of Somerled's descendants. If you want to contribute to the cause - www.scottish-clans.com/team For more on the Scottish clans - www.scottish-clans.com Sponsor - usakilts.com  Link to a source:http://www.clanmunroassociation.org.au/clan-munro-association-australia-newsletters/ewExternalFiles/Clan%20Munro%20%28Association%29%20Australia%20Newsletter%2040.pdf

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 Scottish clans. If you find this episode valuable, you can contribute to the cause at scottish-clans.com/team. Sponsor: usakilts.com

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 scottish-clans.com. For free pdf's to contribute to your study, go to scottish-clans.com/1587 or scottish-clans.com/wade. If you enjoy this content, you can give back at scottish-clans.com/team. Sponsor: usakilts.com

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 can give back at Scottish-clans.org/team.   For free pdf's to help your study of the clans go to Scottish-clans.org/1587 or Scottish-clans.org/wade. Sponsor: usakilts.com

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 viewed as more loyal to their chiefs than to their landlords when those weren't the same person.  scottish-clans.com/1587 Another free pdf of General Wade's Report on the Highlands from 1724 is available at scottish-clans.com/wade.  This one gives the number of fighting men that various chiefs could put on a battlefield. Sponsor: usakilts.com

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/USAKiltsOfficial

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 of work on the Flemish kindreds in Scotland: https://flemish.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/author/ae29/ Sponsor: usakilts.com and https://www.youtube.com/c/USAKiltsOfficial

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 descendants,  your history is no less colorful than that of the Highlands. Sponsor:  usakilts.com and https://www.youtube.com/c/USAKiltsOfficial This is also available on my YouTube channel! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVefgJWXdhFbq_MwPFTWe2w scottishclans.podbean.com Facebook.com/groups/thescottishclans

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 (or whatever you changed your name to after Glen Fruin) enjoy this episode.  Next Stop: Scots on the Rocks in Moab! Sponsor: usakilts.com and https://www.youtube.com/c/USAKiltsOfficial

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 the Campbells and the MacDonalds in the same episode, it just worked out with the length of the interviews better. Sponsor usakilts.com and https://www.youtube.com/c/USAKiltsOfficial

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 future episodes. Sponsor:  usakilts.com and https://www.youtube.com/c/USAKiltsOfficial Source:  The Campbells: 1250-1513 by Stephen Boardman More Sources at scottishclans.podbean.com - click on the sources link.

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: usakilts.com and https://www.youtube.com/c/USAKiltsOfficial Podcast website: https://scottishclans.podbean.com

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:  USAkilts.com and https://www.youtube.com/c/USAKiltsOfficial Sources:  https://scottishclans.podbean.com/p/sources-for-studying-the-scottish-clans/

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